Briton Caithness was elected by acclamation after being the only candidate in the running during the Assembly, which took place as part of the World Curling Congress in the American city.

She has served as WCF President since becoming the first female to head an Olympic Winter Sports Federation when elected in 2010.

Prior to that, she had served as WCF vice-president from 2006 to 2010.

"It has been a real honour to work and serve for the Federation," said Caithness upon her re-election.

"I work in a man's world and you, our member associations, have put your trust in me to raise the profile of curling.

"For the next four years I promise to give you 100 per cent in my work to represent you and our great sport."

Caithness heads a new-look eight-member board which is made up of three vice-presidents from the three regional WCF zones, and another four Board directors.

Canadian Graham Prouse will represent the Americas zone as vice-president for a three-year term, Hugh Millikan of Australia will represent the Pacific-Asia zone for two years, while Norway's Bent Ramsfjell will act as European vice-president for one year.

The four other Board positions will be filled by American Albert Anderson, Scotland's Hew Chalmers, Canadian Laura Lochanski and Toyo Ogawa of Japan.

Kate Caithness (fourth from left) and the new-look WCF Board after elections in Reno
©Don Chang/WCF




The four-day World Curling Congress took place at the Peppermill Resort in Reno and was attended by all 53 member associations.

During the Congress it was announced that Sochi in Russia will host the 2015 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships and World Senior Curling Championships from April 18 to 25 next year.

The WCF also revealed plans for a Portable Curling Facility.

The new programme aims to help establish dedicated curling facilities in regions which have, up until now, found it difficult to garner the resources to build a permanent curling facility, according to the WCF.

In addition, a number of competition and rule changes were voted in.

A new world junior qualification event is set to be introduced, while the European Mixed Curling Championships will be replaced by a World Mixed Curling Championship; both coming into effect from the 2015-2016 season.

WCF delegates have voted in a number of rule changes to the sport including the introduction of two last stone draws per game ©AFP/Getty Images



In terms of rule changes, delegates have voted in favour of introducing a Thinking Time instead of Running Time for controlling the length of a curling game, which will be first used at this year's European Championships in Champéry, Switzerland taking place from November 22 to 29.

A number of rule changes are to come into effect immediately including the introduction of two last stone draws per game; there will only be one round of tie-breaks in future WCF events; while the use of electronic devices on the field of play is banned.

Meantime, a new system for measuring the last stone draw will be tested throughout the upcoming season.

The fourth annual World Curling Congress is due to take place at the Crowne Plaza in Belgrade, Serbia, from September 2 to 5 next year.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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