Supporters ready for the Euros

Fans throughout Europe are busy packing their cases in preparation for travelling to Aberdeen for the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships, where the first games get underway on Saturday. Swedish supporters (such as those above) are always colourful and passionate.

And always have a tasteful choice of headgear.

Those who know Isobel may wonder why she has become a Swedish supporter!

Hats are an important part of any curling fan's equipment. It keeps one's head warm, for one thing.

And identifies who you are supporting. Hungarian fans have a much more subdued taste in headgear.

But sometimes, when things are not going well........ No doubt the Swiss will have their cow bells with them too!

Did I say subtle? Go for it, Ali!

Anyway, the blog's roving reporter, Tansy Whitebits, will be looking intently at millinery fashion worn by the 2009 curling fan next week!

And will the home fans be in Aberdeen in numbers? The local organising committee certainly hopes so!

And they are always so well behaved!

Which fans will be the most colourful at Aberdeen?

Pics from Bob's archives, with apologies if I've omitted an attribution.

Sunday update

The circles are in, and logos are being laid.

It really is beginning to take shape!

Teams will be practising on the ice above on Friday, prior to the start of the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships on Saturday, December 5.

A spot of paint

Wow! Scott and Mark have finished painting the ice at Aberdeen's Linx arena as preparations continue for the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships. If I have it right this is looking towards the end where the television cameras and commentators will be situated.

Look closely and you will see that the hacks are in place, and the hogline is marked out!

And this view of the rink is towards the coaches' and other media benches at the far end.

Pics courtesy of George Esson.

More progress at the Linx

Progress. The photo shows Scott Henderson and Mark Schurek doing a flood of the ice pad at the Linx yesterday (Fri, November 27). The next job was the paint job!

How are you at identifying the flags?

Pic courtesy of George Esson

On the beach

Perhaps some of those coming to play in the Linx Arena at the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships, or indeed to watch the play, may be unaware that the venue is situated right on Aberdeen's beach front.

Bracing walks? Or just lots of opportunities for a quick game of beach volleyball between sessions?

Pic courtesy of George Esson

Curl Aberdeen

The six-sheet Curl Aberdeen rink will be the venue for the B divisions at the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships.

The modern rink played host to the first rounds of the Columba Cream Scottish Ladies Curling Championship recently (see here and here). The rink itself will look pretty much as the photo above, except that it will be even better illuminated for the European competition next week.

Yesterday, work began to install additional lights above the heads at both ends of the rink, see below.

Photos by Bob Cowan and George Esson

Construction continues at the Linx

Construction work continues apace at Aberdeen's Linx Arena in the run up to the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships which begin December 5.

Here, the staging for the television and commentators takes shape.

Pic courtesy of George Esson

Preview spotlight on Jackie

The Press and Journal had a preview of the event today, by Mike Haggerty. For the first time in more than twenty international appearances, Jackie Lockhart will be competing on home ice! The link to the article is here.

Work starts at Linx arena

Seven o'clock this morning, and Aberdeen's Linx arena is handed over to the local organising committee to be readied for the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships, the twenty teams in the A Divisions set to practise here on December 4.

Over the next ten days, the arena will be transformed from a skating rink to a championship curling pad.

And one of the first jobs was to hang all the flags of the competing nations. "Which way up?"

The main event website is here for the draws and ticket information.

The Organising Committee

Here they are, the Local Organising Committee for this year's Le Gruyere European Curling Championships, in Aberdeen, December 4-12.

Front row L-R: Rhona Thom (Accreditation), George Stevenson, George Esson (Chairman) and Norma Pert (Media/communications)
Back row: David Jack (Facilities), Ian Flett (Volunteers), Tim Stevenson (Finance), David Cormack (Transport) and Alan Sainsbury (Marketing)
(Dave Peters (Accomodation) is missing from the photo)

Click on the photo to see larger size.