After watching their compatriots earn their place in the mixed doubles final at the FISU Winter World University Games (WUGS), GB Students men’s and women’s teams are set for their bid for glory as their events get underway in Torino (15 January – 23 January)..
For three members of the women’s team it is a second chance to win a medal at WUGS after they narrowly missed lost out in Lake Placid two years ago and having seen their then teammate Robyn Munro pick up silverware this time around as a result of her superb mixed doubles run with Orrin Carson, skip Laura Watt, Holly Wilkie-Milne and Lisa Davie are revelling in being back in that environment.
“It is really nice being back in the World Uni Games, because it is so different to your normal World Championships with it being multi-sport,” said Watt.
“We have already met so many new faces and we were at the Opening Ceremony last night which was quite an experience, so it is really special.
“In Lake Placid 2023, we were close to a medal coming fourth place so it does make us a bit hungrier but we have a new line-up and new countries that we have to face so we are just going to take each game as it comes and see how we get on. 
“It is really motivating to see Orrin and Robyn buy their ticket into the gold medal game.
“Most of the squad were out watching today and it is great to feel the atmosphere in the arena and seeing them do well makes us believe we can go on and do that too this coming week.”
The trio line up alongside Amy Mitchell and Cara Davidson this time around, while the men’s team is skipped by Arran Thomson, who is accompanied by Ross Craik, Kaleb Johnson, Rory MacNair and Fraser Watson.
“We’ve found this experience to be phenomenal so far,” said Thomson.
“After the Opening Ceremony it’s really got us pumped up and we can’t wait to get on the ice and start playing.”
Thomson’s rink was narrowly beaten by Carson’s in the final of this year’s Scottish Junior Championship
“Watching Orrin doing so well is inspiring us to go out there and do the same and put on a great show for everyone to watch as well,” the skip continued.
The men’s campaign gets underway on the first day of team action (January 15), when they meet Korea, while the women start out against the same nation on the following morning.
GB Students Women’s Team
Laura Watt (University of Highlands and Islands - Perth College UHI)
Amy Mitchell (University of Stirling)
Holly Wilkie-Milne (University of Stirling)
Lisa Davie (The Open University)
Cara Davidson (Edinburgh Napier University)
GB Students Men’s Team
Arran Thomson (The Open University)
Ross Craik (University of Abertay)
Kaleb Johnson (University of Stirling)
Rory MacNair (Edinburgh Napier University)
Fraser Swanson (SRUC)
Head Coach – Nancy Smith
Women’s Coach – Luke Carson
Men’s Coach – Niall Ryder
Schedule:
Wednesday 15 January
GB Men -1800
GB – Korea
Thursday 16 January
GB Women – 0800
GB – Korea
GB Men – 1300
GB – Ukraine
GB Women – 1800
GB – China
Friday 17 January
GB Men - 0700
GB –China
GB Women – 1100
GB – Canada
GB Men – 1500
GB – Norway
GB Women – 1900
GB – Norway
Saturday 18 January
GB Men – 0800
GB – Sweden
GB Women – 1300
GB – Japan
GB Men – 1800
GB – Italy
Sunday 19 January
GB Women – 0700
GB – USA
GB Men - 1100
GB – Switzerland
GB Women – 1500
GB – Poland
GB Men - 1900
GB – USA
Monday 20 January
GB Women 0800
GB – Italy
GB Men - 1300
GB – Canada
GB Women - 1800
GB – Sweden
Tuesday 21 January
Men Semi Final 1 - 0700
Men Semi Final 2 - 1100
Women Semi Final 1 - 1500
Women Semi Final 2 - 1900
Wednesday 22 January
Women Bronze Medal Game - 1300
Men Bronze Medal Game - 1800
Thursday 23 January
Women Gold Medal Game - 0900
Men Gold Medal Game - 1300
Please click here for results.
Image: Jack Hodgetts
