Vernon investigation underway

New Royal Caledonian Curling Club Chairman Bob Tait has today issued a statement (which can be downloaded here) which indicates his commitment to solving the issues which have hung over Scottish curling since March. At the Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Vernon, the Scottish team played the last two round robin games with just three players, in the face of media reports that a member of the squad had refused to play for the team. An independent investigation was promised in a statement posted on the RCCC website on March 29 (here).

This independent investigation has not taken place. In the months since Vernon, little or no information about what has been happening has emerged from Cairnie House, the excuse being that formal complaints had been made, and that disciplinary procedures were in train. A Conduct Panel was convened, but its recommendations have not been made public.

There appeared to be a complete disregard for members' concerns that the matter would be investigated, and lessons learned. The lack of information, the failure to keep the membership informed, and the passage of time with no apparent action, led me to post my own frustrations here.

One member, Michael Barron from Inverurie, has gone so far as to file a formal complaint against Lyndsay Wilson, as recently as last month, presumably in the light of the RCCC's apparent failure to act.

But things have changed with the appointment of Bob Tait as the new Board Chairman. He has been able to reach agreement with the main parties involved to allow an investigation to go ahead. Vice President Bill Marshall is now the Responsible Officer under the Ethics Manual and is responsible for Barron's complaint and will advise Mr Barron that he will await the report from the investigation before further considering that complaint.

Michael Nicholson of Harper Macleod, Solicitors, in Glasgow, has been appointed to carry out the investigation. His report is to be complete by September 5, in time for the RCCC Board meeting on September 12. An update to members is promised thereafter.

Why has this happened now? When the Conduct Panel was convened Gail Munro and Lyndsay Wilson made the suggestion that they would suspend their complaints against Derek Brown, the National Coach, if an investigation into all aspects of what occurred in Vernon was undertaken. The Royal Club Board has decided that this is the way to proceed!

So, what's the remit of the investigation? It says:

"Remit
To conduct an investigation into the events that resulted in the Scottish team at the Ford World Women’s Curling Championships at Vernon in March 2008 playing 2 games with 3 players, and the events in Vernon following each of these games.

To provide to the Chairman of the Board of the RCCC a written report on the facts found by the Investigator and to make recommendations on actions, if any, to be taken. The Investigator will not recommend specific disciplinary sanctions. The report will be sent to the Chairman of the Board of the RCCC by 5th September. The report will also be circulated by the Investigator to all Scottish team players at the event, the National Coach, the Team Coach, Support staff and the RCCC representative at the event. The report will also be placed on the RCCC website no earlier than 48 hours after it was sent to the parties.

Means
The RCCC shall appoint the Investigator who shall be a lawyer. The RCCC shall meet the Investigator’s costs.

The Investigator will be provided with a brief summary about the event prepared by RCCC (e.g. how the team qualified to represent their country, coaches etc), copies of the complaints made by Mr Brown and Mrs Munro and a member of the RCCC, copies of the response to these complaints and any correspondence regarding the complaints and responses; copies of the contracts signed by the team, a list of contact addresses for the RCCC party, a copy of the RCCC Ethics manual and all rules and regulations of RCCC (including the Memorandum and Articles of Association and Bye Laws of RCCC), copies of comments about the events from third parties and as reported in the Press, copies of the statements on the RCCC web and, if available, a copy of Mr Brown’s Press interview.

The Investigator will invite statements from, and may invite to interview, all Scottish team players at the event, the National Coach, the Team Coach, Support staff and the RCCC representative. He/she may also invite statements from supporters and others he/she considers may assist his investigation.

Conditions
The parties agree that the disciplinary proceedings against Mrs Wilson, Mrs Munro and Mr Brown will be suspended during the investigation.

Any of the parties who choose to incur costs shall be responsible for these costs with no liability passing to the RCCC under any circumstances.

The parties accept that the Investigator’s report shall be admissible as evidence at any proceedings that may follow. The report is not binding on any individual or panel hearing these proceedings.

The parties agree that this note shall be placed on the RCCC web and shall be sent to the Chair of the Ladies Standing Committee, Area, Province and Club Secretaries and that otherwise there shall be no communication of any kind (written, oral, electronic) with the media or parties not party to this note before the Investigator’s Report is published."

It is good to see that Bob Tait has given his email address in his announcement today, so that members with concerns may write directly to him.

So, given the proviso of the last paragraph, I suspect there will be nothing more for me to write about until September, on this subject at least!

The photo of the Scotland team at Vernon is by Hugh Stewart. L-R: Lynn Cameron, Anne Laird, Karen Addison, Lyndsay Wilson and Gail Munro.

Vernon controversy: an update

Following the incidents in Vernon at the World Women's Curling Championship, the Royal Club promised, on its website (here), that 'A full investigation into the circumstances and actions that led to Scotland take the ice with three players at (the) Women's World Championships will take place when the team return next week. The investigation will be led by an independant (sic) lawyer who will advise the Board on any actions which should be taken.'

This enquiry, which I - and no doubt many other Royal Club members - thought was underway, is not happening, at least not in quite the way it was first suggested!

The Royal Club did appoint a lawyer, Frank Gill, of Anderson Strathern, to carry out the enquiry. I understood that his remit was to report to the Royal Club Board, as noted on the statement on the RCCC website, once he had carried out his investigation. I reported this in the Scottish Curler magazine.

Last Friday it was pointed out to me that my article in the May Scottish Curler was out of date and that Frank Gill is no longer conducting the promised independent enquiry, but is solely now looking at complaints which have been brought forward by National Coach Derek Brown against Gail Munro and Lyndsay Wilson, and by Munro and Wilson against Brown.

I could not believe that this was true, and sought reassurance from RCCC CEO Colin Grahamslaw that an investigation was still in progress. I did not receive any response from Colin. It would appear that he too is the subject of an official complaint, which means that he cannot comment on the matter. He would neither confirm nor deny this today.

Let's step back and try make sense of what's happening.

Matt Murdoch, the Royal Club's vice-president, is according to the Royal Club's procedures (a document called 'Policy and Procedures for Dealing with the Conduct of Participants') the person to whom complaints are directed in the first instance. Matt had a conflict of interest in that he is father to Nancy Murdoch, formerly the Royal Club's Performance Development Coach and now coach to the British Olympic women's squad.

The Board's decision then was to put the complaints in the hands of Frank Gill. His job now is to investigate these complaints to ascertain if there needs to be 'conduct panels' convened to look at the complaints. We all await his report on the matter, and whether the complaints will be taken further. Should that happen further procedures are all laid out in the document mentioned above.

So what happened to the 'independent investigation'? Board Chairman Mike Ferguson insisted when asked about this today that there will still be an enquiry, but dealing with the complaints is the priority.

"We are following the procedures as advised to us by our lawyers," he said.

I asked specifically, "Is an independent enquiry, as promised on the Royal Club website following the events in Vernon, being undertaken at the moment?"

"It's not being undertaken at the moment," said Ferguson, "but it will form part of the process. There will be a report submitted to the Board and the Board will then action against the content of that report."

Timescale?

"Both I and the Board fully accept the Membership's concerns and frustrations of the time procedures and processes are taking and we as a Board are doing everything we can to expedite it as quickly as we possibly can. We have to work within the timescales set out in the procedures and I can't unfortunately give a definitive timescale at this stage. We are keen to inform the membership when we are in position to do so."

So, there we are. Make of that what you will. It would seem that we all have to wait somewhat longer to get some explanations of what happened in Vernon, and if there are lessons to be learned. This story has a long way to run.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship final

Yes folks, this is my last blog from the Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Vernon, British Columbia.

Canada and China faced each other for the third time this Championship. The score so far was 2/0 to China, Canada had plenty of support, 3,004 people had jammed into the stadium including 200 standing fans.

Canada didn't want to lose in front of such a crowd, Chinese skip Bingyu Wang was forced to take a single in the first end then gave up three in the second. China were going to have to work hard to get back into the game. They got back to within one shot after five ends, Canada blanked the sixth and scored two in the seventh with a raised takeout from skip Jennifer Jones.

Canada still led by three going into the final end, they ran China out of stones to win the title 7/4.

It was a great championship for China, it's the first time a Pacific region country has got medals, the crowd loved them, watch out for China in the next few years.

Mirjam Ott from Switzerland had got the bronze medal and she won the Frances Brodie sportsmanship award.

So it's over and out from Vernon, it's been a difficult week at times but overall a great championship.

It's goodbye from Jennifer Jones.

It's goodbye from Bingyu Wang.

And it's goodbye from Vernon.

Pics by Hugh Stewart

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 19

Japan had made the final four at a World Championship for the first time, a few hours ago they lost a tight game to Canada, now they meet Switzerland in the bronze medal game. Japan had beaten Switzerland in the three/four playoff game could they do it again?

For six ends the answer was definitely no, five shots to Switzerland over ends three, four and five gave them a six shot lead, it looked as if the game was over.

But Japan had other ideas, after eight they had cut the lead to one shot. Switzerland tried to make two in the ninth but got only one, going into the final end two up without last stone.

Moe Meguro with her first stone attempted a draw, it barely touched a guard so rolled into the open, Mirjam Ott had a hit to run the Japanese out of stones, Switzerland won the bronze medal 9/7.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

Coverage of the final is available on CurlTV and Eurosport.

Mirjam Ott's photo is by Hugh Stewart.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 17

Canada met Japan in the semi final of the Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Vernon British Columbia. Is an all Asian final possible?

This was one of the best games I have ever seen in my life. The shot making was unbelievable from both teams. Japan grabbed the lead in the sixth end with a hit for three shots but Canada got two back in the seventh, Japan still led by one. Japan got another two in the eighth, Canada had a raised take out for two in the ninth going into the last end one down.

In the tenth Canada lay two shots, skip Moe Meguro took one out, the game was going into an extra end. Canada lay one fully on the four foot, Meguro opted to draw but was light, Canada stole a single and the game.

Canada will meet China for the third time in the final, Japan play Switzerland for the bronze medal.

They say curling fans are getting older and they could be right, one lady in today's audience proudly announced she would be 101 in June!

You can find all the linescores and statistics here. Playoff games are available on CurlTV. And Eurosport has coverage of the final games at Vernon.

Photo of Moe Meguro, and of Jennifer Jones saying a wee prayer, is by Hugh Stewart.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 16

China made their first appearance at a World Championship in 2005, since then they've come on by leaps and bounds. Here in Vernon they finished top of the table giving Canada their first defeat of the Championship along the way.

In the 1 v 2 playoff the met Canada again, the winner would go straight to the final, the loser would play Japan for the second final spot.

China had the game from the opening ends, they had a four shot lead after three ends, that lead had gone to five after five ends. It was going to be an uphill struggle for Canada. They did put some shots on the board including a steal in the ninth but they went into the last end without last stone.

China kept the front of the house clear, Jennifer Jones for Canada drew with her first stone but it lay open, China hit, Canada couldn't make two to tie the game and conceded. China were in the final 7/5.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

Playoff games are available on CurlTV. And Eurosport has coverage of the final games at Vernon.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 15

Switzerland took on Japan in the 3/4 playoff at the Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Vernon, British Columbia, this is the first time Japan has made the last four in 17 World Championships.

This is a page playoff system but there's a change to the rules this year, now pay attention, in recent years the loser of the 3/4 was out, the winner guaranteed at least a bronze. But this year there will be a bronze medal game. Got that?

My money and I suspect I suspect most people's money was on Switzerland, they won the round robin tie 9/6. But the Japanese came out firing on all cylinders, Switzerland was forced to take one with last stone in the first, Japan got two in the second when Swiss skip Mirjam Ott hit and rolled too far with her last stone, Japan drew for two. And it got worse for the Swiss, Japan stole three shots over the next three ends for a five shot lead after six. They wobbled a bit in ends eight and nine giving up three shots, Japan went into the last end one up with last stone. Once again they were making mistakes, Switzerland lay one but Miriam Ott's last stone to guard didn't draw enough, Moe Meguro for Japan had a hit and stick for one shot to win the game 6/4.

Tomorrow, or perhaps today GMT they will play the loser of the China Canada game. Switzerland can only wait to find out who they play in the bronze medal game.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

Playoff games are available on CurlTV. And Eurosport has coverage of the final games at Vernon.

The RCCC have a new statement on their website about the situation with the women's team. It says a full investigation about the circumstances and actions that led to three players being on the ice will be held next week. The investigation will be led by an independent lawyer who will advise the board on any action which should be taken.

You can read the full statement at here.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 14

Once again Karen Addison, Lynn Cameron and Anne Laird took to the ice in Vernon, British Columbia. This was their last game of the round robin, the opposition was the Czech Republic on no wins. At stake for Scotland? Pride and Olympic qualifying points.

Once again knowing they had to win this game the team kept the game simple, made the shots, put the scores on the board and kept the opposition count as low as possible.

And once again it worked, they bided their time and took three in the fifth, the Czechs got two in the sixth but Scotland still had the lead, three in the seventh and a steal in the eighth stretched their lead to five shots. The Czechs conceded after scoring one in the ninth, final score 8/4 to Scotland.

Well done to Karen, Lynn and Anne.

Oh, you might want to know who will be in the playoffs, China, Canada and Switzerland finished the round robin on nine wins, thanks to the draw shot challenge China finished in top spot, then Canada, then Switzerland. China will play Canada in the 1/2 game, in the 3/4 game Switzerland will play the winner of a tiebreak between Japan and Denmark.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

Playoff games are available on CurlTV. And Eurosport has coverage of the final games at Vernon.

Top photo: Karen Addison in the head against the Czech Republic.

Lynn Cameron

Anne Laird. Photos by Hugh Stewart.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 13

Scotland fielded three players, Karen Addison, Lynn Cameron and Anne Laird for their game against Italy. Gail Munro and Lyndsay Wilson sat this one out watching from the stands.

At stake in this game and the next are Olympic qualifying points, Scotland need to win games to get more points.

It was a low scoring game with the teams scoring singles and blanking ends, Scotland stole a single in the ninth to go one ahead, but in the final end with last stone Karen pushed an Italian stone into the house, Italy drew to tie the game. But Scotland had the all important last stone, Karen drew for shot and game 5/4. The Scots are now on a record of two wins eight losses.

China, Canada and Switzerland are safe in the top four. Japan beat China and Sweden beat Denmark so there will be at least one tie break game, if Sweden beat Canada tonight there will be two.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here. The webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada is listed at: http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php. This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 12

It's Thursday afternoon at 1.30p.m here in Vernon, British Columbia and I'm not sure what to say in this blog so I'll stick with the facts.

Karen Addison, Lynn Cameron and Anne Laird are on sheet A playing Italy, third end as I write. Now you can all count, that makes just three players right? And you're wondering what is going on.

After seven games with Scotland on a record of one win and six losses the team changed, Karen Addison move up to third, Lyndsay Wilson played second stones, but the team went on to lose another game. So it was decided Gail should sit out, Karen would skip and fifth player Lynn Cameron come into the team, so far so good, Gail wasn't happy as you can understand but she was going to sit this one out. Then Lyndsay decided if Gail wasn't playing, she wasn't playing.

And there you have it, make of it what you will, that's why I'm watching three players out there.

By the way the score is 1/1 after three.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 11

Well, what can you say, in their eighth game Scotland went out on to the ice against Japan on a record of four wins and four losses to Scotland's one win.

It just wasn't working, the team may well be down after what has happened this week, who can tell? But the scoreline tells the story, Japan stole singles in ends three, six and seven, Scotland could put only two singles on the board.

Japan got two in the ninth and Scotland had had enough, they shook hands on a scoreline of 7/2 to Japan.

There's always tomorrow, Italy and the Czech Republic.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

The webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada is listed at: http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php. This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship Extra 2

Earlier in the week I told you about young Mark Munro and his appearance with the local junior pipe band in the arena. Well, Mark didn't bring his pipes to Canada for nothing.

Yesterday he took his pipes outside the arena and set up a busking stand with the pipe case open for donations. He played for 20 minutes and in that time made a remarkable £76.

So what did he do with the money? Donated it to the local junior curling club of course!

Well done Mark!

And he plays from the stands to enourage Gail and her team.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 9

Game eight at the Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Vernon, British Columbia and Team Scotland met Canada, the home team with the crowd right behind them and on a record of seven wins and one loss.

Scotland had last stone and blanked the opening end, picking up two in end two. In the third Canada lay three, Gail Munro was heavy with her draw, Canada had a shot for a four score. The Scots stuck with it, they were unlucky in the fifth, they looked like stealing but Jennifer Jones barely scraped by a guard to get the shot. End six they had a hit and stick for two to tie the score.

One down going down the ninth they were forced to take a single to go into the final end without last stone, Canada lay two, Gail tried a very difficult hit but just rubbed off the shot stones, Canada won the game 8/6

Tonight the Scots take on Japan.

And in this afternoon's draw China suffered their first defeat at the hands of Switzerland.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here. The webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada is listed at: http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php. This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345.

Pic of Gail Munro and Jennifer Jones is by Hugh Stewart.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 8

In their seventh game Team Scotland faced Denmark and had changed the line up, Karen Addison was playing third stones, Lyndsay second stones and taking the head for Gail Munro's shots.

And for the first half of the game the new line up seemed to be working, the team were making more shots than in previous games and they led by one shot after five ends. They held on to that lead till end eight, Gail elected for a tap back on her own stone rather than hitting a Danish stone. She didn't lie shot and Denmark had a draw for two.

Scotland took a shot in the ninth to tie the game but went into the final end without last stone, Gail had to draw with her last stone it ran a couple of inches too far, Denmark won the game 7/6.

Team Scotland may have to think again.

And the Chinese wagon keeps rolling on they got their seventh win beating the USA 10/1.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

The webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada is listed at: http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php.

This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 7

This morning the alarm went off at 5.30a.m as the sound of a lonely train horn penetrated the room, it's the best alarm in the world, I just wish I could set it to my time.

But to the game, Gail, Lyndsay, Karen and Anne faced Switzerland this time. The Swiss dropped their opening game to Canada but have been winning ever since, don't forget skip Mirjam Ott has two Olympic silver medals in her trophy cabinet.

Switzerland roared into the lead with a three in end one, the Scots got one in the second and stole in the third but they were being outplayed throughout the game. Another three to Swizterland in end seven effectively ended the game but the Scots played on, running out of stones in the last end, Switzerland won the game 8/4.

In other games China gave Canada the fright of their lives. The game was tied after nine, Canada had last stone, China lay three but the front was open, Jennifer Jones overthrew her last stone China got two for the game 9/7 and are now the only unbeaten team.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

The webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada is listed at: http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php.

This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345.

The photo is of Bingyu Wang, skip of China, surrounded by Canadian media after her team beat Jennifer Jones' home side, the favourites! Pic by Hugh Stewart.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 6

Scotland won their opening game at the Ford World Curling Women's Curling Championship in Vernon, British Columbia, against Russia and the future looked bright. But after that they lost out to China, Sweden and USA. On one win and three losses things didn't look quite so bright.

In draw eight they met Germany on the same win/loss record. Now some of you might just remember Andrea Schopp and Monica Wagner winning the World Championship in the Summit Centre in 1988. Andrea has a young front end now, would experience and youth count?

The answer to that one is yes, Germany blanked the first and scored two in the second and that turned out to be the beginning of the end for the Scots, they could put only singles on the board. A steal of one in end eight let them tie the score. Germany got one in the ninth and stole one in the tenth to win the game when Gail Munro's last stone didn't draw quite enough to get shot to force an extra, the final score 6/4 to Germany.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day and that means Switzerland and Denmark.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here. Want to watch the action? Then check out the webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada at:http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php. This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 5

Got the early morning wake up call this morning as a train thundered past our hotel at 5.30 a.m.! But Scotland had an 8.30 draw against USA so I was up in time, USA had won two games from three, Scotland one win from three so it was an important game for the Scots.

And they got off to a flying start, a two in the first end and a single steal in th fourth gave them a three shot lead, but that evaporated when USA skip Debbie McCormick had a tap shot in end five to lie three to tie the game. Scotland gave up a single in end six when Gail Munro was heavy with her final draw.

The Scots struggled over the next few ends but managed to tie the game in end nine but went into the last end without last stone. USA lay two on the front eight, Gail tried a draw to the four but was heavy again, USA took the game 9-7. Tonight, tomorrow for those in Scotland, they take on Germany.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here. Want to watch the action? Then check out the webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada at:http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php. This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345.

Debbie McCormick's pic is by Hugh Stewart.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship Extra

Gail wasn't the only member of the Munro family to take to the ice in Vernon. Young Mark Munro had his five minutes of fame before the fourth draw.

Gail had told him he had to take his bagpipes to Canada, he plays with Merchiston School pipe band and has been playing for just a year.

Taking his pipes to Vernon proved a winner, Gail had heard the local junior pipe band was struggling to find people to play before draw four, so offered Mark's services. And he proudly marched down the centre walkway wearing a Munro tartan kilt as the band led the teams into the arena.

A great experience for young Mark.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 4

In their third game of the Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Vernon, British Columbia, Gail Munro's team came up against the team from China, unbeatean in two games.

In the second end all the Scottish stones were behind the eight foot, Gail rubbed a guard with her last stone, China got four shots. It was uphill for Scotland from there on and the Chinese weren't going to let them back into the game, they conceded on a score of 8/4 to China after nine ends.

On Monday they face USA and Germany, on a record of one win from three games, they need to win.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

Want to watch the action? Then check out the webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada at:http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php. This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345.

Photo of Scotland in action is by Hugh Stewart. Lyndsay Wilson has delivered the stone, Karen Addison and Anne Laird are the sweepers.

Ford World Women's Curling Championship 3

Team Scotland went into their second game at the Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Vernon, British Columbia, with a good win against Russia in the bank.

Today they meet Sweden who suffered a bad loss against China yesterday, with just two games in this draw the arena is quieter but the Scottish contingent is out in force to cheer on the team.

The game started well for Scotland with a two score in the first end. But Sweden worked away over the next few ends and tied the game at four all after six. Things went horribly wrong for Team Munro in end seven, facing two Swedish counters Gail opted for a hit, her stone swung too far wrecking on a guard, they lost two. In the eighth Gail had a chance for two but her last stone draw ran too far. A two score to Sweden in the ninth killed the game, Sweden had a three shot lead going into the final end and kept the house clear. Needing three to tie the game Scotland ran out of stones, final score 9/5.

Now here's a thing, at the European Championships unfinished ends were not scored, but in this Championship they are.

Russia looked to be running away with their game against China scoring four in end two, but a burnt Russian stone in the fourth allowed China back into the game with a three score. Russia looked the stronger team but the Chinese kept working away at the game. In the final end China lay two for game, Russia had last stone, skip Liudmila Privivkova went for a tap back but the stone slipped past, China had their second win.

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

Want to watch the action? Then check out the webstreaming coverage of the WWCC2008 that is available to viewers in Europe, Japan, the United States and Canada at:
http://www.curltv.com/events/wcf/2008-womens-worlds-broadcast.php

This, of course, is in addition to the TV coverage available, some of which (Eurosport and NHK Japan) is listed here: http://www.worldcurling.org/content/view/345

Photo of Lyndsay Wilson by Hugh Stewart.