A team of Australian curlers are in Alexandra training at the closest curling rink to their home city of Perth, IceInline’s indoor curling rink.

The newly formed women's team is led by skip Helen Williams (51) and includes Sara Westman (32), Karen Titheridge (38), Michelle Armstrong (40), Kristen Tsourlenes (30) and coach Dustin Armstrong (40). 

The team from Perth and Melbourne are one of the 22 teams due in Central to participate in the Australian National Curling Championships (ANCC) for men’s, women’s and mixed fours teams in Naseby from May 13 - 25. 

Coach Dustin said it was his sixth trip over and he always comes early to train here and “stay in your own bubble or zone, rather than head to Naseby early.”

The group said they found the indoor facility at IceInline amazing, as at home they train on an ice skating rink, after public skating sessions are finished.

Originally from Scotland, Helen said she had been curling for about 40 years but her time visiting New Zealand was special.

“We’ll have four practice games against local ladies. Last night Natalie Thurlow was here . . . and Bridget Becker is due one evening too.

“I have a lot of respect for [the New Zealand women’s curling team] and we value their support.”

Helen said the welcome and sense of camaraderie from the Central community of curlers was fantastic and there was a strong notion of respect going both ways across the Tasman.

“The people [in Alexandra] and in Naseby running the facilities have been so accommodating and friendly, we want to thank them.”

On Tuesday the group were practicing and timing their nine-minute warm up to ensure it was a well-oiled machine, perfected to roll out before their competition matches.

Team Williams contains members of two teams who placed first and second in last years Australian Championships, but skip Helen has not won a gold in the nationals since 2017.

The 2020 and 2021 Australian Championships were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Team Williams coach Dustin Armstrong (at front) inspects a delivery at IceInline. PHOTO: The Central App

Watch a warm up stone slide down the rink towards the house. VIDEO: The Central App

NZ Curling executive member Bruce Kissel said he always stayed for the first few minutes of any team's practice to check over the ice and how it was behaving.

He was looking forward to the social curling competition starting tonight (May 9) in Alexandra.

“We’ve been growing and growing, there are 42 teams of four entered this season.”

Now the roof over the outdoor ice was up he said there were a few things still to be figured out about how curling might be different in 2024.

“There might be a rumble of stones, or a bit of a roar . . . will it be like a wind tunnel? It might feel cooler on dull days . . . we’ll have the lights on while curling most likely.

“But there will be no more cancellations due to weather and ice conditions.”

To find out more about curling in Alexandra or Naseby see the listings for IceInline, and Maniototo Curling International (MCI).

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