British curling team keeps cool as volume rises

Players withstand distraction while focusing on executing skills.

SOCHI: British skip Eve Muirhead said she “couldn’t hear myself think” at the raucous Ice Cube Curling Centre as her team battled to a crucial win against Russia on Monday. Crowd noise at the curling venue has been a talking point among athletes used to playing in much quieter settings.

Britain won 9-6 in the round robin match to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals but the host nation is out of the competition. “During my last shot, I actually couldn’t hear myself think,” said Muirhead, 23, whose rink won last year’s world championships.

Russian player Ekaterina Galkina though thanked the fans for their loud support.

“Our fans are amazing. They supported each of us so warmly at each game,” she said.

“Such positive energy, we never experienced that before. It was obvious that they were nervous for us. They gave us soft toys and flags to sign. We appreciate that.”

Russia’s players are well aware that they are playing in front of a passionate crowd who are not used to watching curling.

Ahead of the Games Russian player Margarita Fomina expressed concerns supporters might cheer at inappropriate moments.

British halfpipe contender Cheshire out of hospital

British freestyle skiing halfpipe medal contender Rowan Cheshire was released from hospital on Monday after spending the night under observation for concussion she sustained in a fall in training.

The teenager fell on her face at the Extreme Park halfpipe on Sunday and was knocked unconscious for several minutes before being carried away on a stretcher in a neck brace.

“Cheshire will be discharged today after the doctors were happy with her progress,” said a Team GB statement.

“She will return to the athlete’s Mountain Village where she will be looked after by team medical staff.

Her progress will be monitored on a day to day basis as is standard with concussion and a determination regarding her ability to compete will be made later this week.”

Cheshire posted a picture of her bloodied face on Twitter along with the message: “Wasn’t the best day, still don’t remember much. Thanks everyone for the lovely messages.”

The 18-year-old was considered an outside chance of a medal at the Games after becoming the first British woman to win halfpipe gold at a World Cup event in Calgary in January. The women’s halfpipe takes place on Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2014.

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