New Zealand - or shall we say Otago - is impressing on the world curling stage.
The under-21 women's team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the junior B world championships in Finland, while the men's team played its final group match this morning.
Both teams are made up of Otago players, from either Dunedin or Maniototo.
The women's team of Courtney Smith, Emma Sutherland, Holly Thompson, Jessica Smith and Mhairi-Bronte Duncan, met Italy in its quarterfinal this morning.
The team won five of its seven group games to qualify.
The last two of those came under pressure, as it had to beat both Germany and Kazakhstan to finish second in its pool and secure a direct quarterfinal spot.
The men's team of Otago curlers Hamish Walker, Ben Smith, Matthew Neilson, Simon Neilson and Anton Hood has won four of its six games.
It won its opening three, before being edged by the Netherlands and Japan, and beat Poland to improve to 4-2. It played Hungary in its last group game this morning.
There are 22 women's and 23 men's teams at the championships. The top three teams in each will go on to the top division of the world junior championships in Aberdeen, Scotland.
