David Murdoch’s Scotland will head to next year’s Winter Olympics as world champions after stunning hosts Canada yet again in Moncton.

Kevin Martin’s rink came into these championships unbeaten in 12 months – but Murdoch, who lost to them in last year’s final, was clearly no respecter of reputation.

Along with Euan Byers, Pete Smith and Ewan MacDonald, he beat them in the group stages, beat them in the play-off and beat them when it mattered most in the final – securing a 8-6 victory he later described as a ‘fairytale’.

“Somebody needs to pinch me – it feels like I’m dreaming,” said Murdoch, who also won the world title in 2006.

“They were the unbeatable team and yet we’ve beaten them three times – that says all you need to know about the resolve and belief we have in this team.”

Murdoch’s win means Great Britain will head to next year’s Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver with two world champions in their squad – Nicola Minichiello winning the world bobsleigh gold earlier this year.

But Murdoch knows that Martin will be itching for revenge in front of a home crowd that may no longer be quite as expectant as they once were.

“This sets a marker for next year – it shows that we can beat the best in the world,” added Murdoch, who also won the European title earlier this year.

“It shows we are doing something right."