For many fans, curling appears on screen once every four years. Then it fades from view. But for Team GB’s athletes, the work never stops.
It has been 24 years since Rhona Martin delivered the famous “Stone of Destiny” at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. That final shot secured Great Britain’s first Winter Olympic gold in 18 years. At the time, some critics wrongly dismissed the team as ordinary housewives playing a niche sport. In reality, they were elite athletes.
Today, that same level of commitment defines the squad preparing for Cortina. Curlers train year round. They compete globally and spend up to 44 weeks a year on the ice. This is not a part time pursuit. It is a full time profession.
Inside Team GB’s Daily Training Routine
From July to April, the 10 Scottish athletes representing Team GB report every weekday morning to the National Curling Academy in Stirling. Training begins at 8:00 am sharp.
Each day includes two separate two hour ice sessions. They also complete a full gym workout. Over the course of a week, three sessions focus on strength and two on conditioning. Many athletes add extra work at weekends to stay sharp.
Coaches closely supervise every workout. Players do not drift through sessions. They follow structured Olympic lifting programs that include clean and jerk, snatches, and squats. They also use ski machines, rowing machines, and assault bikes to build endurance.
Men’s lead Hammy McMillan and teammate Bobby Lammie have raised the physical standard for sweepers in recent years. Their strength levels often surprise people outside the sport. According to teammates, the numbers they lift compare with athletes in more explosive disciplines.
The women match that intensity. Jen Dodds, who won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2022, is known for her power and endurance. Teammates openly admit she outlifts many of the men. Women’s skip Rebecca Morrison stresses that core strength is essential just to maintain balance on the ice. Curling may not involve high speed descents, but it demands precision, stability, and stamina.
More Than Just Physical Strength
Physical preparation forms only part of the schedule. Players also attend tactical briefings and video analysis sessions. They meet sports psychologists to sharpen focus and work with nutritionists to refine their diet. Regular physiotherapy supports recovery and injury prevention.
Even during May and June, when competitions pause, conditioning work continues most weekdays. Athletes may take a short holiday, but structured training remains in place.
