27 Apr 2009

World senior curling champs begin in Dunedin

11:11 am on 27 April 2009

The world senior curling championships begin in Dunedin on Monday - the first time they have been held in the Southern Hemisphere.

Twenty two teams and 14 countries are involved - all competitors are aged 50 and over.

Curling originated in Scotland in the 16th century. Often likened to bowls on ice, it's played in 40 different countries.

Naseby in the Maniototo has an international curling rink, but the ice stadium in Dunedin was chosen because its bigger size allows two extra teams to play at any one time.

Canada and Scotland are seen as the teams to beat with strong competition from the United States, Finland and Switzerland.

The finals will be held on Saturday.