With eighty teams, the YARA Farmers Championship is the largest curling event in Europe. First games were played today at the Dewar's Centre in Perth. Largest? Doesn't really matter - those who take part in this event (which reaches its climax on Friday) swear it is the most enjoyable!
This is the twenty-fifth year of the event, which makes it one of the longest running sponsorships and most sought after invitations on the curling calendar!
The competition has been organised faithfully by Alan Wood (Woodie to everyone) for centuries (or so it seems). Perth director David Hay, whose father Chuck was one of the instigators of the event, says of Woodie, "No review of the YARA Farmers Championship would be complete without mention of one man who has been at every event. Woodie is a great character and is loved by all competitors. He handles all the day-to-day organization of the event in a calm professional manner and has always kept the championship running smoothly."
Here he is throwing the first stone. I'll be up to see the action as soon as I get February's
Scottish Curler off my desk this week! But I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to see an 8-end this year.
Alan Wood with Jenny Bain, Helen Meikle, Susan Meikle and Joyce McCluskey who scored an eight-ender last year.
The Yara Farmers Championship is the busiest week of the curling year for the Dewar's Rinks in Perth, bringing as it has done this week seventy-six teams together for the 26th year of the event. I managed a quick visit today.
Alan Wood, the competition organiser, has seen every one of the previous competitions. Today, he was even called on to play! You can find all the scores here. Hot from the press news is that there will be a new champion this season. The holders, Billy Henderson's team, are aiming this time for the Low Road title!
Robert Clark was in fine voice!
Have you ever wondered what happened to former Scottish Champion and Rhona Martin's Olympic Coach Russell Keiller? Here he is at Perth, although he does appear to have changed his name.
Willie Young
Alan Collett and Frank Forrest sweep Michael Sutherland's stone.
A YARA freebie which appeals to the Editor is this little sheep - it's a stress reliever, especially for the skip! You put it in your pocket and give it a squeeze or two when any of your team play off the brush. I think I've got that right?!
