Since winning the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships back in March, Estevan's Chelsea Peterson and her curling team from the University of Regina have been preparing to represent Canada at Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey, Jan. 27-Feb. 6.
Despite leaving for Erzurum on Monday, Peterson, told The Mercury she's rather calm, all things considered. After all Universiade is basically the Olympics of university sports.
"I'm more excited than anything, like I'm not nervous or anything," she said. "Right before I get on the ice the first time I will be, but after that usually my nerves are pretty calm."
Peterson, who plays third for the Brooklyn Lemon's U of R rink, says she and her team have grown fairly close in the two years they've been curling together, and they've even gotten to know some of their Universiade competition, having faced them in the past at other bonspiels.
Not many athletes get the chance to compete at the international level and Peterson says she is thrilled at the chance to represent Canada and curl on the world stage.
"It's pretty exciting actually," she said. "I didn't think I'd ever get the opportunity, so do that and still be in university is a pretty nice feeling."
While Russia, Sweden, China and the U.S. are touted to be their toughest competition, Peterson expects her team to do pretty well in Turkey, and says they're going to have fun no matter what.
In preparation for Universiade, the Lemon rink has been practising for all types of game situations; they've also worked with a nutritionist, and done lots of mental training as well.
Their first match is Jan. 28 against Japan and according to Peterson, www.curling.ca should have scores online.
