The women’s team of Ruby Kinney, of Hyde, Jess Smith, of Invercargill, Bridget Becker, of Patearoa, Holly Thompson, of Taihape and Natalie Thurlow, of Becks, competed against the world’s best this month in Sandviken after becoming the first New Zealand women’s team to qualify for the international contest last year.
They had spent months fundraising to pay their way to the competition.
At the end of the championships, Bridget Becker was awarded the Frances Brodie spirit of curling award, the first New Zealand woman to win it.
And to complete the treble, Maniototo curling stalwart Peter Becker, was inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame, the first New Zealander to be awarded the honour.
The winner of the Frances Brodie award was chosen by the competing curlers to honour a competitor who "by deed and action in the course of their performance best exemplified the traditional curling values of skill, honesty, fair play, friendship and sportsmanship".
Brodie was a driving force behind the group which established the first world ladies curling championship in 1979 and chaired the first official ladies committee of the International Curling Federation.
Her contribution was recognised by the federation in 1989 with the introduction of an award in her name which was presented at the end of each world women’s curling championship since then.
Peter Becker’s induction into the hall of fame recognised his more than 50 years of involvement with the sport.
It is the highest "non-playing" honour the World Curling Federation can bestow on someone, recognising outstanding contribution to the sport whether through on-ice achievements or off-ice endeavours.
His career covered every aspect of the sport from player, coach, manager and organiser to team co-selector for a range of competitions, including the Winter Olympics and women’s and men’s national and junior sides.
Becker was flown to Sweden by the federation for the ceremony.
