Dumfries and Galloway curlers getting ready to compete at Beijing Winter Olympics

There’s just a week to go until Dumfries and Galloway is represented on the world stage at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

A total of five curlers from the region will make their way to China for the Games which start on Friday, February 4.

Kirkgunzeon’s Grant Hardie, Stranraer duo Hammy McMillan Jr and Bobby Lammie and alternate Ross Whyte of Dumfries will compete in the men’s competition while Dumfries-born Vicky Wright is part of Eve Muirhead’s rink with the athletes flying out on Wednesday.

Vicky, who works as a nurse when she’s not competing, said: “I’m really looking forward to getting out there now and getting started.

“I’ve enjoyed the preparation knowing this big event is coming and we’re going to go out there and give it our all.

“I’m ready for the challenge of what’s going to happen in the Olympics and the experience we’ll gain along the way.

“To go through this with childhood friends is amazing too. I went to primary school with Bobby so I’ve known him since I was seven and it’s cool we’re going out at the same time.

“On Sunday we had our kitting out day which was so cool getting all of our clothes – it was unbelievable the amount of stuff we got. We got a personalised iPad with a message from Team GB and reading it gave me goosebumps because I thought ‘This is it, we’re going to the Olympics’.”

Despite the games officially starting on February 4 the men and women’s curling events don’t start until Wednesday February 9 with Team Muirhead hitting the ice the following morning.

Team GB women will start their tournament with a match against Switzerland before taking on Sweden later that evening. The men of Team Mouat begin their Olympic journey on Thursday afternoon against Italy.

Over the seven days of round robin