Curling: Strong Maniototo representation in NZ team

Jessica Smith (17), of Naseby, trains at the Dunedin Ice Stadium this week. Photo by Gregor Riochardson.
Jessica Smith (17), of Naseby, trains at the Dunedin Ice Stadium this week. Photo by Gregor Riochardson.
Central Otago curlers dominate the men's and women's teams for the Pacific-Asia Junior Championships in Naseby next week.

All five members of the men's team, captained by Simon Neilson, are from the Maniototo, while three members of the women's team also hail from the region.

With the Naseby curling rink out of action for a few days in preparation for the championship, the teams trained at the Dunedin Ice Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday.

New Zealand will play a double round-robin against Australia, China, Japan and South Korea from Monday to Friday, before the medals are decided tomorrow week.

Coach Peter Becker, who has been coaching for 18 years, said China was probably the team to beat, but Japan and South Korea were also strong.

However, Becker, who also coaches the national senior side, believes the New Zealanders have a good chance.

''I think they will go well. It's just like any sport at the end of the day. It's what is happening in your head. If you can master that side of it, you will handle the rest,'' he said.

''We have got two young teams, so they should be around for a year or two.''

While the sides only trained in Dunedin for two days, they had been training for months, Becker, a former player himself, said.

The winner of the tournament qualifies for the World Junior Curling Championships in Estonia in March.

It will be the last time the event is held, after the World Curling Federation announced it would be replaced by a world qualifying event from 2016 on.

by Robert van Royen 

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