Eve Muirhead steered her team through the choppiest of waters to seal qualification for the Olympic Games at the last opportunity.
The Scottish rink of Muirhead, Jennifer Dodds, Vicky Wright and Hailey Duff ended a topsy-turvy week on top at the Olympic Qualification Event in the Netherlands.
The quartet bounced back from successive defeats to Turkey and South Korea to lead the way in Leeuwarden and bank a precious quota place for Team GB.
"We’re absolutely delighted," said the 31-year-old, who subject to final, formal selection is bound for a fourth Games.
"This is why you play isn’t it, to get a spot in the Olympic Games and for all five of us (rink of four plus alternate Mili Smith) it just rewards a lot of very hard work, a lot of dedication. For it to pay off is just very, very special.
“For myself, to get to a fourth Games is something I’ve dreamed of and there were times that I never ever thought that would ever happen again and for everyone else it’ll be their first Olympics, so it’s very exciting."
It ensures Great Britain will be represented in Beijing by men's and women's rinks and a mixed doubles pairing.
Muirhead and Mouat will continue a proud record of Team GB being ever-presents across both disciplines since the sport was reintroduced at Nagano 1998.
2021 has been a rollercoaster ride for the women's team. They missed out on their first chance to qualify for the Olympics by finishing eighth at the World Championships and subsequently used a squad system to determine selection for this campaign.
Muirhead and team rode the wave of confidence from taking gold at last month's European Championships, the skip's third continental title.
Head coach and 2014 Olympic silver medallist David Murdoch said: “There’s tears and everything here right now.
“It’s been quite a journey and a battle against adversity, given all the things we’ve had to contend with. I’m just so proud of how the girls have bounced back and they never, ever took their eyes off the prize.
“There was so much hard work this year, coming back from the Worlds and it’s testament to what we have done at British Curling, seeking excellence in everything we do and we’ve got rewards for it.
“Everyone’s been part of making this happen, the coaching team, the back room staff and all the staff in the office and the girls have delivered this week and it has been an incredible result.”
The team teed up a dramatic climax to the last-chance qualifier with victories over Japan, Germany, Estonia and Latvia.
They thrashed a dangerous Italy side 8-1, requiring only six of the scheduled ten ends, and saw Turkey overhaul Japan to hand them first place and automatic qualification.
“I couldn’t actually watch the Japan game,” Muirhead admitted.
“I went to my room because I hate watching. I’d much rather be on the ice. The four other girls watched it and then they phoned me and the celebrations began there and then.
“It’s going to take a while to sink in, but to have booked Team GB a place on the flight to Beijing and to have the chance of going back to another Olympic Games is something very, very special.”
Sportsbeat 2021