Episode 17 Blue Peter Bite

This is Blue Peter, but mini.

Expect epic adventures, bakes,

makes, badges, pets,

presenters, and your post.

We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.

Take two teams, a sheet of ice,

and some pretty big stones...

and you've got curling.

The object of the game is to try and slide your stone

into a giant bull's-eye on the ice.

The closest to the middle of this target, called a house,

scores the most points.

And why am I explaining this ancient sport?

Well, that's because, for our BP Challenge,

Barney and I will be coming here,

to the European Curling Championships in Glasgow,

to go head-to-head in a special exhibition match.

-You going to push me?

-Go.

OK.

12 points.

Ah!

'We have no idea what we're doing.

'Luckily, we've got Judith McCleary, head development coach

'from the Royal Caledonian Curling Club,

'and our mentor for this challenge.

'Time to give this a go.'

So, we're going to go "Ready", which is lift your hips,

-"Steady", which is pull back...

-Go on, Barn!

..so, pull this stone back too.

-Can we just keep this foot flat, here?

-Yep.

-That's it.

-And then "Go"...

-Go! Slide!

-..you're going to move forward.

-Yeah.

-Ohhh! Not a bad effort!

-Fantastic.

-Well done.

-That's actually not easy at all, is it?

That's really difficult, cos I could feel my body going over to one side.

And, as you can see,

the stone hasn't really gone in the right direction.

Barney's being modest. Let's see what I can do.

I think that was all right. I THINK that was all right.

-What did you think?

-That was really good for a first one, definitely.

And look, you've managed... Look how far the stone's gone there, as well.

That's really great.

I like this. I like this a lot.

So, a good start, but if we're going to play

in front of some of the world's greatest curlers,

we need some serious training.

The main thing Judith wants us to work on is technique.

It's very, very easy to make very simple mistakes.

Keep your eyes up all the time.

It's so tricky to think about your position of your body

on the ice, and where the stone's going.

It's the precision. You've got to try and do it precise.

See, you've got that line, there.

So, what we want to then do is get that rotation.

So, you're going to try and get one that finishes in the house.

By the end of the day, though,

we've definitely made improvements.

This is the Braehead Arena in Glasgow.

Over seven days, it's hosting

some of the finest curling on the planet. And...

me and Barney.

-Barney?

-Yeah?

-Are you ready yet?

You've taken three hours to get that bib on.

-Yeah, I like the slow motion stuff.

-I don't.

-All right.

'This is it. We've got eight stones each.

'Unlike a full curling match, there will be no changing ends,

'no points, just the closest stone to the centre wins.

'And our mentor Judith is here to referee,

'brush, and offer some much-needed advice.

'Here goes.'

Ooh, that looks a quite good one.

This ice is so much faster

than I'm used to.

I wonder if it'll affect Barney.

Oooh.

It's an interesting technique...

Mate.

'He's done well, there!'

-Ooh! What do you think?

-I think...

Oh, it's OK.

No!

Too long again!

Oh!

'Barney's as cool as ice.'

-Ooh...

-Not much of a spin on it, is there?

He lands his second stone in the target.

Still there.

I need to get to grips with this speedy ice.

That's better. I take the lead.

What's Barney got?

I'm still closest.

And it stays that way for the next three stones.

-Oh.

-That was so close!

-'Until...'

-That's looks good.

'..Barney plays a blinder!'

That was a complete fluke.

Ooh, is that a bit high?

I've got three shots to take the lead back...

..but I just can't get any closer than Barney!

Unless I get nearer, he's won.

Here goes.

Ohh...

Ohh.

Barney, you're our curling champion.

APPLAUSE

Judith, thank you so much. It's genuinely been an honour

-to compete here.

-It really has. We are officially curlers.

It's been an honour coaching you,

although I am absolutely roasting after sweeping those stones!

We did make you work, didn't we?

Well, thank you very much, it was worth it. Mate, up top. Well played.

So much fun.

Join in every Thursday on CBBC.