Two days ahead of the opening ceremony for the FISU World University Games (WUGS), British Curling’s Robyn Munro and Orrin Carson will be in competitive action as the newly introduced mixed doubles event gets underway on the Torino ice (11-14 January).
For Munro it will be a second appearance at the prestigious gathering, having been part of the GB Students women’s team skipped by Fay Henderson that was beaten in the bronze medal match in Lake Placid two years ago and she is looking to draw on that experience, while also savouring the prospect of playing closer to home.
“The multi sport experience is great,” said the 21 year old from Stranraer. 
“It almost feels like a mini Olympics with an Opening and Closing Ceremony and it is great to have all the nations and other sports as well.
“The last time I competed in the Games we had a lot of the other sports out to cheer us on and my family will be here as well, so I think that will create a great environment and hopefully we can use that and our experience to do our country proud.”
Introduced to the Winter Olympics in 2018, the inclusion of mixed doubles at WUGs for the first time is just the latest evidence of the format’s growing popularity, as Munro noted.
“I think it is a changing game with the rise of mixed doubles, especially after the announcement of the World Junior Mixed Doubles this season and this is obviously the first time mixed doubles is being played at WUGS,” she said.
“I am just really excited to be involved in that and also to have the experience and opportunity to cheer on some of the team players as well in their event.
“They are very different disciplines, so it is good to get exposure to both this early on in our careers and I am just really excited to see what else is in store for us this week.”
Munro believes they have prepared well, having played against some of the best pairs in the global game in the Scottish Mixed Doubles Championship just before Christmas and, also in December, winning the Matt Murdoch Memorial Mixed Doubles Trophy, while Carson claimed a major breakthrough earlier this week, leading his all-teenage team to their first title on the men’s tour at The Mercure Perth Masters.
“The two events we played in before Christmas were great to just get on ice together outside of the National Curling Academy and get that competition experience,” she said.
“We managed to get a win which was really great prep, but we know we will be facing a high calibre of teams at this event so we think the Scottish Champs were good prep and we are looking to build on that experience and use that to our advantage against some of the tough teams we will be facing out here this week. 
“It was a quick turnaround for Orrin after claiming his first international men’s title at the Perth Masters this week, but to know he is in a good place and has that winning mentality is great.
“I would like to see that roll of form going on and obviously I want to contribute to that and we can take that momentum into this competition.”
After the excitement of last weekend’s victory in Perth, Carson knows there is an adjustment to be made as he takes on additional duties in a form of the sport that he is learning to love as he adapts to the demands of the sport at elite level on the British Curling programme.
“I was never a fan of mixed doubles when I was younger, but obviously now you can see just how good a game it is and I have really enjoyed playing it this year and hope to enjoy into future years as well,” said the 19-year-old from Dumfries.
“Obviously mixed doubles is a little different to the team game and we will hopefully try and go out and win a gold medal out there as well.
“I’m even more excited about our prospects than I was and will try to feed off the win in Perth and keep it going out there in Italy.
“I found the transition to mixed doubles a little more difficult than anyone else as I don’t usually sweep and sweeping is a bigger challenge for me, but I enjoy it and it is quite good to do something different.
“We are at the gym three times a week as well now, which is also having a big impact on how we are performing.”
Munro and Carson will open their round-robin schedule by meeting the USA and will go on to meet Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Italy, Japan and Norway in their bid to reach the play-offs which get underway on January 14.
The Winter World University Games are organised by the International University Sports Federation with 2,500 athletes competing across 13 events this year: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, para alpine skiing, para cross-country skiing, short track speed skating, ski mountaineering, ski orienteering and snowboarding.
Schedule:
Saturday 11 January
MD1 – 14.00
GB – USA
MD2- 16.00
GB – Switzerland
Sunday 12 January
MD3 – 09.00
GB – Germany
MD4 – 13.00
GB – Canada
MD5 – 17.00
GB – Italy
Monday 13 January
MD6 – 09.00
GB – Japan
MD7 – 13.00
GB – Norway
Tuesday 14 January
08.00 Semi Final 1
12.00 Semi Final 2
16.00 Bronze Medal Game
19.00 Gold Medal Game
GB Students Mixed Doubles Team
Robyn Munro (University of Strathclyde)
Orrin Carson (Dumfries and Galloway College)
Mixed Doubles Coach: Scott Andrews
Head Coach: Nancy Smith
Please click here for results.
