A Dundee University student will be taking to the ice in Siberia next month to represent Great Britain in an international curling contest.
Leeanne McKenzie, who is originally from Perth, will set off with 36 fellow athletes from 26 British universities who are taking part in the World University Winter Games.
Leeanne has been selected to battle it out in the curling competitions when she heads to Krasnoyarsk, in the heart of the Siberian mountains.
Among her companions will be cousin Mili Smith, who studies at Stirling University and is also taking part in the curling games.
Leeanne, a first-year Scottish law and French student at Dundee, said it would be the “opportunity of a lifetime” to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her cousin on the ice.
“These games are the biggest international event that I can take part in at this stage of my curling career,” she said.
“I represented Scotland last year after winning three national titles in one season and now I get to compete for Great Britain, which is something I’ve always dreamt of.”
Leeanne, who began curling when she was 12, said a love of the sport runs in her family.
Mili’s older brothers, Kyle and Cammy, debuted for Team GB last year in Pyeongchang and Leeanne’s uncles David and Peter Smith both represented Team GB at the Winter Olympics.
“You could say it runs in my blood,” she added. “Getting the chance to curl at such a high level with Mili by my side is just the best opportunity I could have asked for.
“We’ve been told to expect -30C degree temperatures, so it will be very different to what we are used to. You don’t really hear of anyone going to Siberia but the facilities look amazing, and the curling arena has been built especially for the games.”
Leeanne hopes success in the games can lead to Olympic selection.
She said studying at Dundee University has allowed her more flexibility when it comes to getting time on the ice.
“When I visited an open day, I immediately had a great feeling about the campus. It’s close to home and where I need to train but the university staff are so understanding and helpful,” she added.
Around 2,500 athletes from across the world will compete in the games, which take place between March 2-12.
