It was brilliant bronze for a talented group of Perth curlers at the World Senior Championships.
Dewars Centre regulars Mairi Milne, Wendy Johnston, Katie Loudon and Edith Hazard - alongside Jackie Lockhart - dug deep in Geneva to return home with a memorable medal.
The Scotland representatives, who went through the group stages unbeaten, had been edged out by hosts Switzerland in the semi-final showdown.
But they showed great character to return to the ice the following day and book their spot on the podium courtesy of a 6-4 triumph over Finland.
“We managed to get off to a good start against Canada in the round robin,” Mairi told the PA. “It was a really good win for us and settled us down because I think we were a little nervous beforehand.
“We had confidence moving forward and took the momentum through all of the round robin games.
“I’d be fibbing if I then said we weren’t disappointed when we lost the semi-final.
“We started well but just didn’t capitalise on any of their mistakes, which we had managed to do in the earlier games.
“Having won six games and then lost, I was desperate that we did not come home with nothing.
“We had to regroup for the bronze medal game against Finland - and we did. We were really focused and wanted to enjoy it too.
“Katie and Wendy set-up almost every end for us and Edith and I managed to finish it off for the bronze.
“Finland played well and we had to make sure we were strong down the last few ends. We dug deep.”
The team was massively grateful to the support they received at the venue and all of the continuing well-wishes from the curling community.
“The support from our family and friends out in Geneva and at home meant so much to us,” Mairi said.
“And everyone has been incredibly kind with all the messages of support.”
Making the moment all the more special was that the medal presentation was run alongside the Mixed Doubles Championships, won by Perthshire’s Eve Muirhead and playing partner Bobby Lammie.
“We were lucky enough to have our medals presented in the Mixed Doubles arena,” Mairi said.
“And we were able to watch the end of Eve and Bobby’s final. They seem to pick up these gold medals no bother, played so well all week and made it look easy.
“Getting our medals alongside them made it even more special.”
While pleased to head back to Perth with bronze, there remains a great hunger to return next year for a different colour of medal.
“It gives you a little bit of a feeling of unfinished business,” Mairi smiled.
“We felt we could have been in that final. So I don’t think the curling shoes will be getting hung up just yet.”
