Team Muirhead back on the ice ahead of PyeongChang

Muirhead's rink will compete in PyeongChang in less than a month's time, with a Winter Olympic bronze medal to defend having stood on the podium in Sochi four years ago.

But rather than be just content with that colour, the Scot knows her line-up – featuring Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Lauren Gray and alternate Kelly Schafer – is capable of pushing for more.

That bid continues as the team head for the International Bernese Ladies Cup this week, their first major outing of the Olympic year as they look for a repeat of their title-winning success from four years ago.

"After a short festive break with family and friends we are excited to get started in 2018," Muirhead said.

"With the Olympics less than a month away it's important we knuckle down now and focus on the next few weeks.

"We have two competitions left before the Games, the first one, this weekend in Berne. The field is strong with a triple knockout format and we kick off our campaign versus Gertsch from Switzerland."

The 27-year-old won't be the only British skip on the ice in Switzerland, with fellow Sochi medallist Claire Hamilton taking the reins with a new line-up for this season.

Sportsbeat 2018