Ewan MacDonald and his sizable support

Ewan MacDonald and Graeme Connal talk tactics on the ice

At this year’s masters Ewan MacDonald unveiled his team’s huge sponsor, so huge in fact they are Giant – Giant Insurance.

The sponsorship deal has been a big boost for the side which was formed after the break-up of the Olympic squad following the Vancouver Games in 2010.

Other TeamGB curlers Euan Byers and Graeme Connal join Ewan for a second year in the MacDonald rink along with former world champion Pete Loudon.

Ewan explained that the high standard of play at the Mercure Perth Masters was proving to test his team but also provide excellent preparation for the first round of the Scottish Qualifiers next weekend.

MacDonald fell down to the C-road in at the Perth Masters but the skip remained positive. Ewan said: “It’s been a good solid performance, we’ve played well in all the games we were unfortunate to lose two games in the middle.

“It’s important for us to play as many games as possible in preparation for the Scottish Championships.

“The main focus for us is the national championships and to hopefully get through to play at the worlds in Basel.

“It is great to have Giant Insurance on board in addition to my family’s own business the MacDonald Partnership especially when it is not an easy time to get sponsorship.”

In the next round of the Mercure Perth Masters MacDonald faces his former Olympic skip David Murdoch and it is all to play for as the loser will be knocked out of the competition.

Ewan said: “It’s important to get off to a good start, put the rocks in the right places to make them play difficult shots and make sure that we capitalise on that because you do not get many chances with a player like Murdoch.”