By John Turnbull

The Peak, in Stirling, will host eight of the world’s best wheelchair curling teams this week.

The Stirling Wheelchair Curling International Invitational will take place at the National Curling Academy from Tuesday, October 18 to Friday, October 21.

New line-ups will come together as the nations involved begin their new Paralympic cycle as they gear up for the World Wheelchair Curling Championships in Vancouver, Canada, next March.

British Curling, England, and Stirling have entered teams for the competition returning to the Peak for the first time in three years.

Three-time winners Norway will be joined by Estonia, Italy, Latvia, and Switzerland to make up the international contingent.

Harry Brodie of this year’s organising committee said: “This is our first chance to stage the competition since the global pandemic forced us to cancel the events in 2020 and 2021, and it will be great to have this competition back on the ice.

“There is an excellent curling facility at The Peak, and we hope that all the teams enjoy their experience here and in the City of Stirling.”

Stirling Council Provost Douglas Dodds has also shared his excitement as the city prepares to build on its increasing reputation for hosting prestigious sporting events.

Dodds said: “I’m thrilled that Stirling will once again host some of the world’s top athletes as they compete in the Seventh Stirling Wheelchair Curling International Invitational.

“This event will draw interest from around the world and build on Stirling’s growing name for hosting events of this calibre after previously hosting the World Championship three years ago.

“I’m proud to personally endorse the Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club for their hand in organising and hosting the event and look forward to welcoming the delegates from the visiting teams.”

The first matches will begin at 10 am on Tuesday, with a second game to be played at 2:30 pm until Thursday.

A final round-robin session is scheduled for Friday, as games get underway at 9:30 am.

Stirling will face Switzerland and Latvia on day one of the invitational.

The home side’s first match on day two is against Estonia before an exciting home-nation clash with Great Britain.

In that British team is Paralympic Gold medal-winning athlete Jo Butterfield. The 43-year-old will be making her debut for Britain’s Paralympic Wheelchair Curling squad this week.

To wrap up the first three days of action, Stirling will play Italy and Norway before facing England on Friday morning.

Entry to the Invitational is free, with spectators encouraged to attend.