The British men's curlers made a winning start to their Olympic programme with a 7-5 win over Italy at Pinerolo this morning.
The team were always in control against the rank outsiders who only qualified by virtue of hosting the Games.
Skipper David Murdoch tactically sacrificed the eighth and ninth ends in order to retain the all-important 'hammer' - the last stone - for the 10th and final end.
But Murdoch's 'stone of destiny' was never required as a mistake by Italian skipper Joel Retornaz wrapped up a satisfactory start for the British team.
Murdoch's men were due to return to ice again this evening to face New Zealand with Rhona Martin's women's team scheduled for an afternoon start versus Denmark.
