Hugh Nibloe says team capable of 'special' performance after first win

Hugh Nibloe knows his team can produce something special at the Paralympics after they recorded their first win in the mixed team wheelchair curling.

Team Nibloe defeated the USA 6-5 after being forced to an extra end to seal the victory after a tense encounter went the duration.

There was little to separate the two sides who kept apace of the other, each only narrowly winning ends.

But as the USA levelled scores after the eighth end, it meant GB went into the deciding end with the hammer and delivered when it mattered.

“Everyone is capable of beating everybody so it’s just a case of we keep chipping away and getting the wins,” said Nibloe.

“We know we’re good enough. We know that we’ve got the capability of doing something special this week.”

It saw them bounce back well from a 9-2 defeat to Slovakia in their opener earlier in the day, demonstrating resolve at a crucial time.

“I personally thought we dug in deep. We showed some courage for parts of the game and great skipped by Hugh,” added Stewart Pimblett.

“It’s massively important to get the first win. Momentum now. We can move. I’m going to go and dream about beating Canada, now.”

The two nations had been neck-and-neck throughout, the USA took the first end before GB countered with a two-score end that their opponents then matched.

As Team Nibloe won 1-0 in the fourth end, it saw scores tied at the break and they would not barely deviate from that as the teams exchanged one-score wins in the final four ends.

But as Pimblett delivered a delightful takeout to place a yellow stone in the house, USA finally had no response to give the game to ParalympicsGB.

And not only will the win be important for their standings, but it was provide a big confidence boost ahead of a test against Canada tomorrow morning.

“We were better [than against Slovakia]. I played better in that game but there are still more gears to come, so looking forward to facing Canada tomorrow,” said Nibloe.

“It’s going to be a volatile week, we’ve seen it out there. Slovakia got absolutely hammered by Latvia, who got absolutely hammered earlier and [Slovakia] hammered us.”

But the focus for Pimblett and Nibloe, along with teammates Karen Aspey and Austin McKenzie, the focus will be on recovering for that early match on Sunday morning.

“Sleep now,” said Nibloe of his plans tonight. “Straight back to the village and sleep, breakfast and then back on the ice tomorrow.”