World Uni Games bronze for Stirling curler

University of Stirling curling scholar Ross Whyte enjoyed a successful World University Winter Games as he inspired Team GB’s men’s team to a bronze medal.

Having led the full GB squad out at the opening ceremony, Whyte went into the tournament full of confidence and his team’s success secured the British team’s first podium finish in Russia.

Sports Studies student Whyte skipped the men’s team to top position after the round-robin group stage, only losing once before an unlucky defeat to eventual winners Norway in the semi-final, setting up the bronze medal match between GB and Switzerland.

It was a tight affair throughout against the Swiss before the Brits prevailed 10:5, with skip Whyte securing a four with the final stone of the match.

Speaking of their best performance of the tournament, Whyte said: “We played such a good match in the final game and are so happy to get it over the line and get on that podium.

“After such a hard week, it feels great to go home with the bronze. We’re really glad we came out fighting after a tough loss yesterday to show what we are about.”

In the women’s event, Whyte’s fellow Stirling scholars, Sophie Jackson and Mili Smith, fell just short of matching his bronze as they were defeated by eventual gold medal winners Sweden, in the semi-finals, before losing out to hosts Russia in the bronze medal match.

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.