Dumfries loses out to France in ice hockey bid

Dumfries Ice Bowl has been the setting for three world championships over the last four years, and Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) in conjunction with Dumfries and Galloway Council had been bidding to host the menís under-20 tournament.
But after losing out to France in the voting, IHUK chairman Jim Anderson said: ìWe are disappointed not to win the vote. It was very close but did not go our way.”
Mr Anderson added: “We have held some great tournaments at the Dumfries Ice Bowl in the last few years.”
Dumfries hosted the week-long International Ice Hockey Federation’s Women’s World Championship tournament (Division 2A) in May,
In March 2014 it hosted the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Under 18 World Championship (Division 2A), and in December 2013 the IIHF Under-20 World Championship.
However, Megeve in France was chosen to host the under-20S World Championship (Division 1B) tournament over the south of Scotland.
Reacting to the selection of venues, a spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “Although it is disappointing that on this occasion Ice Hockey UKís bid to bring this particular tournament to the UK lost out to a strong French bid, we are delighted to have hosted three world championships in just four years at Dumfries Ice Bowl.
“Having so many world championships in Dumfries has been a fantastic achievement and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Ice Hockey UK to bring more top class ice hockey events to the Ice Bowl in the future.”