MOSCOW, April 3 (R-Sport) – Russia's curling collapse at the men's world championships in Canada is purely down to a lack of top-level experience, the president of the sport's federation says.
After seven rounds, Russia shares last place with Finland with only a win over the Finns to show for its first appearance at a major competition.
“In all the games, the difference is one or two stones and it is a good result for us,” Dmitry Svishchev told R-Sport on Wednesday.
“We lack experience, some technical details, but it’s obvious that Russian curling team is ready to offer serious resistance to any opponent.”
Svishchev emphasized that all the necessary conditions for progress were already in place, with next year's Winter Olympics in southern Russia acting as the ideal catalyst.
“We've got our own stadium in Sochi, the financing is provided, the guys are motivated, they receive win bonuses,” he said.
“Next year, the men’s team should fight for fifth or sixth place and in two or three years may already reach the podium.”
Russia qualifies for the 2014 Winter Olympics as the host nation.
