Kirkgunzeon curler Grant Hardie’s success continues this time in Ontario Canada at the Grand Slam of Curling – The National held on 14th– 19th November at Sault Ste Marie.
In what proved to be a historic final, Team Mouat triumphed over Team Kim of Korea to secure their first grand slam title, and the first ever by a Scottish men’s team.
After a 2-2 record in their group, they assumed the role of ‘giant killer’ in the playoffs. The Scots defeated 2014 Olympic Gold Medallist, Brad Jacobs in a tiebreaker before handily seeing off 2016 World Champion Kevin Koe. A semi-final victory over Manitoba’s Mike McEwen put them into their first slam final, a feat matched by their opposition.
In fact, this marked the first time any Asian men’s team had reached such a stage and only the second men’s slam final not involving a Canadian team. The final was initially controlled by the Koreans who went 3-1 up after 3 ends but Mouat played an excellent tap back in the 4th end for three points to take the lead into the break. A steal was followed by a 6th end in which Mouat made a superb cross-house double followed by a runback to force the Koreans to take one. With the pressure building, the Koreans played a tricky draw at the conclusion of the 7th end which wrecked and left Team Mouat an open hit for 4 and the title, winning 9-4.
This amazing run was made all the more extraordinary by Team Mouat only receiving a last minute invitation to the event as other teams were playing at the European Championships.
At 23, Bruce Mouat becomes the youngest male skip to win a grand slam, Eve Muirhead has the same record for women. This win sees the team net $30,000 and a place in the season-ending grand slam: The Champions Cup.
You can see Team Mouat and Dumfries and Galloway local Grant Hardie and their domestic rivals at the next Champions Tour Event: The Dumfries Champions Tour from 14th-17th December live at the Ice Bowl. Entry is FREE
