Central Otago curlers Courtney Smith and Anton Hood (both 21) left for the northern Scottish city of Aberdeen this week to represent New Zealand at the World Mixed Doubles Championship.

The twenty competing nations will be playing within strict COVID-related bubble conditions, all vying to win one of seven direct spots to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

The NZ Curling Association has spent months working closely with the NZ Olympic Committee and Sport New Zealand to ensure that all necessary risks have been assessed, allowing the athletes to travel and compete as safely as possible.

National Coach Peter de Boer is confident of their chances. 

"They are two very talented young athletes who have trained well,” he says. “Whilst they will be competing against some professional and semi-professional athletes, the margins at this level are very thin. 

“So I'm very hopeful they'll surprise some of their opponents.” 

Curler Courtney Smith is excited to take on the world’s best in Scotland. 

Courtney Smith, a student nurse based in Dunedin, can't wait to get there. 

"This is my first World event outside of the Junior grades, so I'm excited to test my skills against the world's best.”

Anton Hood, a builder, who has played in several international events already is totally focused on that Beijing spot. 

"We've been given so much support from the Curling Association, the NZOC and Sport NZ," he says, "and we want to repay them all by challenging for one of those precious Olympic Spots".

The event runs from Monday 17th - 23rd May. Result updates will be available at http://www.curling.nz/

Photos: Winter Games NZ / Iain McGregor.