Forfar's golden girl Vicky Wright to retire from elite curling

The 28-year-old, from Forfar, from steps away from curling after a season that saw her play as vice-skip to Eve Muirhead as the four-time Olympian led Wright, Jen Dodds, Hailey Duff and alternate Mili Smith to that career-crowning triumph in Beijing.

Earlier in the season they had already made history when, along with Bruce Mouat’s men, they became the first curlers to win the European Championships for Scotland in both the women’s and men’s game.

The women’s success was all the more remarkable because of the challenges that faced them coming into the 2021/22 season.

Wright had been part of the Scotland team that missed out on earning Team GB a place at this year’s Olympics when they failed to claim a top six place at last season’s World Championships.

That consequently forced a major re-think within British Curling, leading to the innovative creation of a nine-player squad system at the beginning of this season.

Wright, who had previously won two Scottish Championship titles, but none on the international stage, was one of those who emerged from that career-transforming opportunity to claim a place in what would become the Olympic team.

In making her decision to leave the elite game while at the very top, her devotion to nursing was a key factor.

“On the back of what can only be described as the most incredible experience winning Olympic gold in Beijing, it is with much pride I announce my retirement from full time curling to fully invest my time into my nursing career and family life,” she explained.

“My journey to this point has not been without challenges, mainly balancing the demands of training full time with working a few shifts per week in a highly pressured hospital environment.

“Having a strong perspective on life is something I pride myself on and I am incredibly proud of how I achieved my curling goals, particularly in this last year when I kept up my shift work as an NHS Staff Nurse during a global pandemic.”