ALTERNATE REPLACED IN BRITAIN'S WOMEN'S CURLING LINE-UP20 January 2010ALTERNATE REPLACED IN BRITAIN'S WOMEN'S CURLING LINE-UP
Karen Addison, formally selected in December 2009 as fifth player in the women’s team – a non-playing role – has been withdrawn from Great Britain’s women’s curling team for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, which start on 12th February.
She will be replaced by Annie Laird, a world champion from the 2002 team skipped by Jackie Lockhart, who herself will play at third in the 2010 Olympic team.
As a result of the transition, British Curling (the organisation charged with preparing Britain’s Olympic curling teams) nominated these changes to the British Olympic Association (BOA) for ratification.
British Curling can therefore confirm that, following the necessary processes, including time for Karen to appeal the decision, Karen Addison has been deselected from the Team GB women’s curling team.
Although given the opportunity, Karen, who had previously expressed reservations around her role in the team, chose not to appeal this decision.
British Curling has now replaced Karen with Annie Laird, and both of these changes have now been ratified by the BOA. British Curling would like to take this opportunity to thank Karen for her contribution to the programme and to wish her all the best for the future. We will continue to offer her our full support for the remainder of the season.
Commenting, Chris Hildrey, Chair of British Curling said: “We are confident that this change will not impact on performance in Vancouver as it concerns a change to the alternate position, rather than the team on the ice. The fifth player provides cover in the event of illness or injury, and we believe Annie is an excellent new alternate who can provide the necessary back-up. We wish this new line-up every success”.
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