TODAY SEES the start of the 35th Yara Farmers Curling Championship, taking place at the Dewars Centre in Perth, until Friday.

Alan 'Woodie' Wood , Yara’s Area Manager until retiring last year, has returned to organise the 2018 championship: “It’s a highlight of everyone’s year,” he said. “Farmers, merchants… people in the industry come from all over Scotland for the challenge, the fun, and the camaraderie.”

There will be 64 teams battling it out for the crown this year. Sandy Reid will be competing to defend his title after last year’s victory, and hot on his heels are two local challenger teams, skipped by Roy McGregor and John Dowell. John Dowell heads one of the three new teams this year, competing against fellow newcomer Bill Gray from Pathhead. The event will also see opposition from four ladies’ teams, and four past winners.

In its 35 years, Yara’s Curling Championship has evolved from a simple knockout competition to one of the key dates in the Scottish agricultural calendar, and the largest event of its kind in Europe.

Even after 35 years of organising the event, Woodie is not keen to predict the winner. “There’s a reason curling is sometimes called “chess on ice”. It’s such a precise game, and the slightest move can make or break a match. No one can guess who the champion will be until the last shot.”

The top prize for the winning team includes the title, the championship trophy, and £600, although the top draw is the chance to spend time and catch up with fellow contestants and spectators.

In its 35 years, Woodie has noticed a few changes: “It’s got a lot more competitive than when we first started, but the enjoyment and camaraderie has increased to match. Every year is exciting, from match to match. You never know what will happen – it’s not set in stone. In one shot, everything can change.”

Scores and competition tweets will be available on the Yara UK website www.yara.co.uk