Highland International Week of Curling is back in Inverness with 36 teams from across the world
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TEAMS from around the world are arriving in Inverness to take part at the Glenmorangie Highland Week of International Curling which starts on Sunday.
An increased number of teams are taking part in the competition at the Inverness Ice Centre which will take place over the course of next week with the final next Friday.
In total, 36 teams will be taking part, which include 10 from the United States, eight from Canada, seven from Switzerland and two from Norway, along with eight teams from Scotland and one from England.
Defending champion Andreas Flammer from Switzerland and his team are returning to defend the title.
An opening ceremony will be taking place at the Inverness Ice Centre on Sunday at 10am.
Tournament spokeswoman Brenda MacIntyre says the number of entries has increased from last year.
She says the amount of interest from teams abroad have shown the international reputation the event has built up since it was first established.
“Final preparations are being made for the competition.
“The competitors arrive to Inverness on Friday and our opening night dinner takes place on Saturday night.
“A total of 36 teams will be competing in the competition and the event is becoming more popular with curlers from Canada and the United States.
“We have also a very good entry from Switzerland this year along with the defending champion.
“There has been an increase in entries from 30 to 36 this year to accommodate the number of teams who wanted to come.
“It is an event that everyone that is looking forward to playing in.”
MacIntyre will also playing with one of the Canadian teams.
The winners will receive the Glenmorangie Quaich with the whisky distillery becoming the new sponsors of the tournament.
Highland Week of International Curling was first competed for in 1967 in Aviemore.
Following the closure of the Aviemore Rink in 1999, the event was moved to the Inverness Ice Centre in 2000 where it has taken place ever since.
