Curler flying GB flag at World Uni Winter Games

First-year curling scholar Ross Whyte enjoyed a memorable opening ceremony at the World University Winter Games in Russia - after being selected as Team GB’s flag-bearer.

The Sports Studies student is captain of the men’s curling team in Krasnoyarsk and leads a group high in confidence, having recently won a bronze medal at the World Junior championships in Canada. Whyte was also part of Scotland’s European Championship-winning squad in November.

Commenting on his nomination to lead his country out at the Games, Whyte said: “I am very excited to be selected as the flag-bearer for the Great British team. It’s a massive honour to be selected by my peers to go out and hold the flag for my country.

“To represent the 58 members of the Great British team as an ambassador is a fantastic privilege. It fills me with real confidence going into the week of competition.”

Sports Studies student Whyte captains the GB men's curling team in Russia.

Whyte is joined in Russia by fellow Stirling curling scholars Sophie Jackson and Mili Smith, with Jackson skipping the women’s team. The University’s Performance Co-ordinator, Chris Purdie, is also part of the delegation as Deputy Chef de Mission.

The University of Stirling representatives (l-r), Ross Whyte, Chris Purdie, Mili Smith and Sophie Jackson with Director of Sport, Cathy Gallagher.

The Great British team consists of 58 athletes and support staff, competing across four sports (curling, ice hockey, snowsports and speed skating).

The World University Winter Games are a bi-annual, multi-sport event and the second-largest multi-sport winter event globally. Hosted by the International University Sports Federation, they bring together the world’s most talented student athletes.