WCF president Kate Caithness declares world mixed curling championship closed

The 2016 World Mixed Curling Championship wrapped up with a closing ceremony on Saturday evening, October 22, at the Sport Palace, Kazan. Present at the ceremony were President of the World Curling Federation (WCF) Kate Caithness, WCF Director of Competitions and Development Keith Wendorf and Hugh Millikin, WCF Vice-President (Pacific-Asia).

The grand closing started with the performance of a bagpipe and drum band from Moscow. All the participating teams, except for the top three finishers, marched in step with the Scottish bagpipe music during the flag parade. They were greeted with a storm of applause from spectators, venue staff, journalists, volunteers and trainees of youth and children's curling schools. The teams were then treated to a spectacular show featuring acrobatic and dance routines.

The show was followed by the official part of the ceremony. For a welcome speech, the floor was given to WCF President Kate Caithness.

"I'm very happy to see you all here this evening at the beautiful city of Kazan! All teams, unanimously, highly praised the level of the tournament's management. Unfortunately, I was able to see only the final days of the championship but it was enough for me to understand that everything was exceptional. This tournament has opened a new page of world curling and I congratulate all participants; all of you are winners! I want to thank you all for showing our sport to the entire world and for displaying incredible curling skills in the spirit of true sportsmanship."

"I want to thank all officials, coaches, service people, medical staff, security, basically all organisers of this event! You've done great job! And of course special thanks to volunteers! These 250 people showed that there are still active, kind and ambitious young people in the world! Your hard work, friendliness and hospitality helped to make the tournament a real success," she added.

"All I have left to say is to congratulate all the teams that played at this venue and especially Team Russia, the new world mixed curling champions!" Kate Caithness concluded.

First, the trophies were granted to bronze medallists, Scotland. Then it was Team Sweden's turn to have their moment of glory. And after that the right to award the newly crowned champions was given to Kate Caithness and Hugh Millikin. After the bouquets and gold medals were handed over, the championship winners were presented with the long-awaited Champions Cup.

"During this championship we all realised that the world is much bigger than we think and at the same time very small. We realised that sport can be very close to us and we are close to sport. That sport unites hearts, people, countries and continents. Curling is a sport of brave, intellectual and incredibly hard-working people. There is no place for cheating, fraud, hate and discrimination in curling. It's the sport for all ages, countries and nations. Play curling, watch curling, develop curling!" said Glenda Barrowman, chief umpire of the tournament.