This Torbay teen is at the helm of Canada's curling team at the Youth Olympics

Canada issending 78 of its top athletic youth to Lausanne, Switzerland on Thursday to compete in the thirdYouth Olympic Games, and among them will beNathan Young of Torbay.

The 17-year-old will be representing Canada in curling, a sport he's been playing for 11 years.

What's more, Young will be the skip.

"It's very exciting," Young said on Monday."When allthe clothes came in, the Team Canada clothes and the curling clothes, as it gets closer it gets that much more real."

Teenage curlers from across the country submitted applications to Curling Canada. From there Curling Canada scouted its applicants at the Canada Games and the under-18 national tournament.

Young was scouted while playing with his junior team at the Canada Games, representing Newfoundland and Labrador.

Co-ed tournament

The Canadian rink had to come together quickly, only spending time with each otheron four different occasions over the last few months, including a bonspiel in Ottawa.

On Thursday the group will get its first international test as a unit.

Thedivision is co-ed, with Young at the helm for Canada,Lauren Rajalafrom Sudbury, Ont. as the lead, Jaedon Neuertas the second from Winnipeg andEmily Deschenesfrom Ottawa as third.

Theteam will also be travelling with two substitutes which includes another local curling product in Sam Follettfrom Conception Bay South, who plays on a junior team with Youngand Chantelle Hogue from Saskatchewan.

"Any competitive athlete in Canada, obviously their goal is toeventually represent Canada and wear the maple leaf, and I've been really fortunate to have amazing coaches throughout my short career so far, and amazing teammates that support me," Young said.

TheYouth Olympic Games will be Young's first time in Europe, but the young skip won't be travelling solo. Coming with him will be his parents, his sister and grandparents from both sides of his family.

Young said all the company won't add any pressure to what is already one of the biggest moments of his young curling career.

"No matterthe outcome over in Switzerland they're just super happy and proud that I'm there in the first place."

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