Two Dumfries and Galloway curlers are celebrating their first success on the Grand Slam of Curling.
Ross Whyte, from Dumfries, and Euan Kyle, from Leswalt, won the WFG Masters in Guelph in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Team Whyte is based in Stirling, with their skipper going one better than last year when he finished runner-up in the same competition.
He said: “It’s unreal. This is what you’re hoping for your whole career, getting to these points and winning those massive games. Thankfully, we’ve done it today and got over the line on our second try.”
Whyte, Kyle, Robin Brydone and Duncan McFadzean made it through the group stage – only losing their opening game – before defeating Team Edin in the knock-out phase.
They then beat Team Dunstone 7-5 in the semi-finals to set up Sunday’s final against Team Jacobs.
And in dramatic scenes, they triumphed 5-4 thanks to a perfect final shot from Whyte to put his team in front for the first time at the most crucial moment.
He said: “It was amazing to make that last shot.
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“It doesn’t just come down to me, there’s a line call and sweeping there as well, so it was a real team shot to win our fist ever Grand Slam and we all did our bit and managed to make it.
“I can’t really describe how it felt to see their stone going out of the rings, it’s just unbelievable.
“What a feeling to win our first Grand Slam.
“We’re over the moon and I couldn’t be happier for the rest of the boys.
“Winning our first one feels like a bit of a weight off our back and now hopefully we can push on and win many more.”
Bruce Mouat’s rink, which contains Stranraer’s Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie as well as Grant Hardie from Kirkgunzeon, had won the previous three grand slam tournaments but this time their run ended at the semi-final stage.
Whyte and Mouat are set to battle it out on home ice next month with Dumfries Ice Bowl hosting the Scottish Curling Championships from February 2 to 8.