The sponsorship agreement was facilitated by the WCF's media and marketing partner Infront Sports and Media and was supported by the Russian marketing agency Premium Sport.

As part of the agreement Aeroflot, Russia's flagship carrier and one of the largest airlines in Europe will see the company gain prime exposure at the WCF's flagship events, with the airline set to be featured under-ice and have field of play advertising.

"We are delighted to welcome Aeroflot, a global leader in the aviation industry, onto the ice," said Kate Caithness, President of the WCF, on announcing the new sponsor.

"As the popularity of curling continues to grow, we are confident that they will see the benefits of investing in our sport.

"We hope that this is just the start of what could potentially be a longer term relationship between the World Curling Federation and Aeroflot."

Aeroflot's 90th year anniversary in 2013 saw the airline carry 20.9 million passengers, a record for a Russian airline, and Bruno Marty, Executive Director of Winter Sports at Infront believes that the agreement is a representation of the sports growing worldwide appeal.

"Aeroflot is the first Russian brand to be involved at such a high level of sponsorship with a WCF flagship event," Marty said.

The Olympic champions Russia will be hoping to claim the world title in Japan ©Getty Images



"As such, Aeroflot's commitment is an impressive indication for the growing geographical reach of the WCF events and a strong complement to the event's sponsor line-up.

"With the sport of curling broadening its awareness and appeal all over Europe and increasingly in Asia, the airline brand will be able to reach its target groups in its home and further key markets."

The 2015 World Championships will see Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Sweden and the US join the hosts Japan and current holders Switzerland at the tournament.

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