Smith makes Paralympic debut as curlers lose out to strong Sweden

Gary Smith made his Paralympic debut as the Wheelchair Curling team lost 6-4 to a strong Sweden team in the evening session on Day 4 at the Ice Cube.

Just three days after celebrating his 53rd birthday Smith, who is the Alternate, took to the ice for ParalympicsGB in place of Hugh Nibloe. His introduction coincided with an upturn in the team’s fortunes as they came back from 6-0 down to narrow the margin with a point in each of the final four ends.

ParalympicsGB struggled for consistency once again as they followed a similar pattern to Day 3 with a good win in the morning followed by a disappointing defeat in the evening session.

They have now played six matches and won three, lost three, going in to the critical final two days of the round robin. The top four teams in the standings reach the semi-finals and will contest the medals later in the week.

Gregor Ewan said:: “I was struggling and Shug (Hugh) was a wee bit as well, so it could have been either of us that came off.

The team have the morning off before afternoon and evening fixtures against Canada and South Korea on Day 5 with a similar schedule of consecutive matches on Day 6 too and Gregor believes that can only be a positive thing.

The veteran of three Paralympic Games said: “I am hoping tomorrow we have a long lie in and we come back refreshed and reinvigorated the long break in the middle of the day doesn’t help us.”