Watch the dramatic last stone that won the Highland Week of International Curling in Inverness as Craig Hamilton wins title for sixth time in his career
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CRAIG Hamilton won the Highland Week of International Curling for the sixth time in his career in a dramatic final in Inverness on Friday.
Trailing 6-3 to defending 2023 champion Andreas Flammer of Switzerland, the Ellon curler along with his team of Tom McGregor, Andrew Clark and Iain Fraser levelled the match 6-6 in the seventh end.
Hamilton took a one shot lead in the final eighth end, with Flammer having the last stone of the match.
But he was unable to capitalise, as Hamilton claimed a 7-6 victory.
Hamilton lifted the title for the first time since 2017 and said it was one of the most dramatic finals he has played in.
At 6-3 down in the sixth in the eight end final, he said he was still confident he could pull it back to claim victory.
Speaking about his comeback in the seventh end, he said: "I got a three and then managed to get a solo one in the last end.
"The way it was going the guards were on and the two were there from the start. We were fortunate they didn't get on top of our two, so we were delighted.
"In the final stone, I thought he was going to get caught and he missed the two guards by nothing.
"It kept swinging and he didn't get ours on the nose, it swung to the side, so it was great."
Asked if it was the most dramatic final he played in, he said: "To win, yes.
"It has been dramatic when we get beat, I have been beat five times in the final and have been in 11 finals altogether."
Hamilton says the Highland Week of International Curling has a special place in his heart having played in it so many times.
In total, 36 teams took part in the tournament, which included 10 from the United States, eight from Canada, seven from Switzerland and two from Norway, along with eight teams from Scotland and one from England.
"There is great camaraderie, to see guys who come from abroad once a year, it is good."
Highland Week of International Curling was first competed for in 1967 in Aviemore.
Following the closure of the Aviemore Rink in 1999, the event was moved to the Inverness Ice Centre in 2000 where it has taken place ever since.
