Team GB's curlers are full-time athletes training 44 weeks annually at the National Curling Academy in Stirling. They dedicate 12 months to their sport, with ice sessions and gym work filling weekdays from 8am. Their days include two two-hour ice sessions and specialized training designed specifically for curling's unique demands.

The athletes undergo intense physical training comparable to other elite sports. Men's lead Hammy McMillan explains: "We're doing Olympic lifts - clean and jerk, snatches, squats." Even female curlers like Jen Dodds lift as much as some male counterparts. "You need a lot of core strength to even stay upright on the ice," notes skip Rebecca Morrison, highlighting the physical intensity.

Financially, curlers rely on Athlete Performance Awards and prize money capped around £40,000. While Bruce Mouat's team has secured commercial partners, most aren't living in luxury. "It's fine if you're at the top and winning slams week in, week out," says pundit Vicky Wright. "But if you're not... it's difficult."