Dumfries Curler Sophie Jackson had to wait until the last event in the season to claim her first Scottish Championship title and will now head to Switzerland in September to represent Scotland at the World Championships. She will be joined by Bobby Lammie from Stranraer who qualified as part of the same team.
Sophie, who trains at the Council run Dumfries Ice Bowl has played in both the Junior Scottish and the Ladies Scottish Championships this year, but this result meant that Sophie and Bobby’s team was to be named as Scottish Mixed Champion.
The Scottish Mixed Championships were held in Aberdeen with teams made up of two male and two female players. Heather Morton who had been training all season for the University Games representing Great Britain had been showing a good run of form and was also looking for that first Scottish Championship title.
Sophie and Bobby played in team Bryce while Heather played for team Waddell who both met in the final after topping their sections and also winning their semifinals.
Team Bryce had been in dominant form all weekend and this continued in the final. Waddell blanked the first and took a 2 in the 2nd end. Bryce blanked the 3rd and with a superb split took a 5 in the 4th and then stole a 1 in the 5th for a 6 -2 lead. Waddell fought back with a 2 in the 6th but with Bryce scoring another 1 in the 7th and then keeping the 8th end clear Waddell conceded the game at 4 – 7 down with 2 stones left to play.
Sophie and Bobby have now qualified for the first ever World Mixed Curling Championship, taking place from 12- 19 September 2015 in Bern, Switzerland.
Sophie said;
“I am honoured and delighted to have the chance to represent Team Scotland at these championships and also, be an ambassador for Dumfries Young Curlers, Dumfries Ice Bowl and Dumfries Ice Bowl Curling Association.”
Chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee, Councillor Tom McAughtrie said;
“This is a fantastic achievement for Sophie and Bobby and we wish them all the very best at the forthcoming World Championships. The development pathway created by the clubs and coaches in Dumfries and Galloway deserves massive credit for putting the right systems in place for curlers like Sophie, Bobby and Heather to get the accolades they deserve.”
Graham Sloan, Curling Development Officer added;
“We are extremely pleased for Sophie as she has dedicated a lot of her life to curling and this opportunity is just reward. Sophie spent a lot of hours practicing on improving technical elements on her delivery, working tirelessly on her own to make the changes and this hard work and drive has really to be admired. Sophie is a great role model for our other members and gives up some of her time to come and give them some training and share her knowledge. I am sure Sophie and the team will have a great championship and we wish her well in her quest to become world champion.”
The club and everyone at Dumfries Ice Bowl wish Sophie and Bobby well at the World Championships later in the year and will be following Team Scotland’s progress closely.
Main Photo – Sophie and Bobby sweeping
