World Champions Team Mouat tuned up perfectly for the final Grand Slam tournament of 2025 by claiming yet another title on Canadian ice when they came undefeated through a strong field to win the RBC Dominion Securities Western Showdown in Swift Current.
Having topped the world rankings throughout the calendar year, Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie and Hammy McMillan continued a run of form that has seen them lose only two of 32 matches in their last four events, claiming two Grand Slam titles and a European Championship bronze along the way as they build towards the Winter Olympics early in the New Year. 
“It was the first time getting to play in Swift Current in this event and we have seen that this is a very successful event over the years, so I am glad that we were finally able to come and play in it,” said skip Mouat.
“It made sense for us to be at this with the double header with the Slam this week as well, so we are looking forward to playing in another Slam and really happy to have won another Tour event with the guys.
“It is a pretty busy spell for us at the minute and we are doing everything we can to get fully prepped for the Olympics.
“We are playing a lot of really good games, so we are in a good spot and really excited to see what February brings.”
The Western Showdown provided an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to win in a variety of ways and while pleased with their overall performance, Mouat was particularly satisfied with the resilience they showed when necessary, not least in the final against Rylan Kleiter’s local line-up, where the Scots had to steal a shot at the final end to clinch a 5-4 win.
“The boys and I are pretty comfortable when we are down in games,” he observed.
“We don’t always start off games amazingly sometimes, but we always find ways to get back into the game and I think that is one of our strengths. 
“So to do that in the final and get across the line was important for us and get another World Curling Tour title under our belts.”
As they make their latest Grand Slam title defence at this week’s HearingLife Canadian Open, they will be part of a five strong Scottish contingent competing across the province in Saskatoon.
“We know this event pretty well, having played in it a lot and we have actually played in this arena quite a few times now,” said Mouat.
“The Slams have been in Saskatoon before and they always create great atmosphere with the spectators from Saskatchewan, because they absolutely love their curling here.”
In the men’s event their compatriots will also be looking to make an impact with Ross Whyte having led Robin Brydone, Craig Waddell and Euan Kyle to the semi-finals in Swift Current, where they were beaten by Mouat’s men, while Kyle Waddell also skipped Mark Watt, Angus Bryce and Blair Haswell to the knockout stages, winning the first of their matches at that stage before narrowly losing to Team Kleiter.
In the women’s event, Rebecca Morrison, Jen Dodds, Sophie Sinclair and Sophie Jackson once again mix with the world’s best as they hone their Olympic preparations, buoyed by their last competitive outing when they claimed a silver medal at the European Championships.
LIVE games available on the Rock Channel.
Images: British Curling - PPA
