Emotional Grant Hardie and Bruce Mouat as GB miss out on gold again
Three members of Team Mouat have committed to pursuing an elusive Olympic curling gold medal together after securing consecutive silver medals. However, Grant Hardie has decided to leave the world’s leading rink after nine highly successful years competing as a quartet.
Initially, it was speculated that Hardie, 34, might retire from curling to focus on a career in engineering following the loss of a second Olympic final in Italy this February. Contrary to those assumptions, he has chosen to continue as a full-time curler and will now skip his own rink—Team Hardie—alongside April’s world bronze medallists Ross Whyte and Euan Kyle, as well as Craig Waddell.
Robin Brydone, who also earned a global bronze medal in the United States this year, will replace Hardie as the third in Team Mouat.
"Obviously, it was a really difficult decision," Hardie told Scotland. "But I felt, if I was going to carry on, I needed something different, a challenge to get my teeth into and keep me motivated. Playing third to Bruce [Mouat] for the last nine years has been amazing, but skipping is always something that's been a goal of mine, so I'm going to do that."
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'There were a few tears'
Hardie departs with two Olympic silver medals, two World Championships, several European titles, and a record 12 Grand Slam victories, along with memories and bonds that will last a lifetime.
Several emotional discussions with teammates Bruce Mouat, Bobby Lammie, and cousin Hammy McMillan preceded this announcement. McMillan has already been rallying family support for the new era. Hardie’s father—his uncle—was among the first to be consulted. This claim is made in jest, with Lammie noting it’s never too early for friendly teasing, and there has been no fallout.
The quartet is scheduled to reunite later on Monday at the Pride of Scotland Awards. Following that, Hardie, McMillan, and Lammie plan a golf holiday before the cousins embark on a last-minute trip to the World Cup.
"Most curling teams last about four years, but we've lasted nine," McMillan said. "And it's been a brilliant nine years, even if it's a sad ending."
"It's kind of a touchy subject, because I'm still getting a slagging for that, but there were a few tears, yeah," Hardie admitted. "We had so much success together and so many great memories, so it's hard to walk away from that. The easy thing might have been to just say, 'you know, let's carry on, keep working on things, we'll get back there in four years and get the right medal.' But I didn't want the next four years to be entirely about that one moment, one medal."
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Brydone brings 'new eyes' to Team Mouat
Hardie will continue to throw third stones in his new rink, with Ross Whyte retaining responsibility for the final two stones despite stepping down from skip duties.
Hardie, a native of Dumfries, now aims to surpass his former teammates as Scotland’s top team and to represent Great Britain at the 2030 Olympics.
Last season, Team Mouat, Team Whyte, and Team Waddell—another Stirling-based rink—were all ranked within the global top 10, but only one team can represent the country at the Games.
"In an ideal world, we'll kick on and be the top team in Scotland," Hardie added. "There's no denying that Bruce's team is still going to be every bit as strong and there's going to be a great challenge to see who can come out on top. The ultimate goal is obviously the Olympics in four years time, but we need to come out of the blocks pretty hot and set ourselves up to try and get to the world championships in March."
Team Mouat also has ambitions for that spot.
Brydone is considered one of the best thirds in curling currently, and the team hopes he can not only fill the analytical role left by Hardie but also add a new dimension to a rink that was nearly unbeatable before the Olympics.
"It has kind of sparked an excitement for us, too," Mouat said.
"It brings some new energy and a new set of eyes to the team," Lammie added. "We've got our own ways after working together so long, so bringing someone in who might have fresh ideas would be good for us."
Henderson to skip women's team
Duncan McFadzean, formerly a member of Team Whyte, will now focus primarily on mixed doubles along with Sophie Jackson.
Jackson’s former teammate, 2022 Olympic Women’s Champion and 2021 World Mixed Doubles Champion Jen Dodds, will also concentrate solely on mixed doubles.
Fay Henderson will skip the only women’s team on the British Curling World Class Programme, once again competing with Lisa Davie, Laura Watt, Katie McMillan, and Sophie Sinclair.
