By David Gold

Mackenzie LankNovember 7 - Nine curling teams will compete later this month for the chance to represent the United States at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games, in Innsbruck, in January.


The event at the 2012 Youth Olympics will consist of mixed curling - to be held between January 14 and 18 and international mixed doubles from January 20 until 22 - and the competition to select the US representatives – who must all have been born in 1994 or 1995 – takes place at Grafton Curling Club from November 17 until 20.

Among those taking part will be Mackenzie Lank (pictured, above), who won the women's 2011 National Championship and represented the US at the World Women's Championship in Denmark earlier this year.

The competition will have a round-robin format and all of the games will consist of eight ends.

The top team will be nominated to the United States Olympic Committee to confirm their presence in Innsbruck.

Live scoring can be viewed on the USA Curling website at www.usacurl.org.

The Winter Youth Olympic Games run from January 13 until 22 and will give those taking part the chance to also be involved in an education and cultural programme.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]