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Two Yukon cross-country skiers say they are proud to be part of the contingent representing Canada at the 2013 Winter Universiade in Trentino, Italy.

Whitehorse natives Kendra Murray and Lee Hawkings are both full-time students at Carleton University in鈥圤ttawa.

The two are part of a 12-member cross-country ski contingent that was chosen based on race results attained last season.

The 26th winter world university games opened Dec. 11 with competition taking place until Dec. 21. More than 2,800 participants from 52 countries are attending the multi-sport competition, which takes place every two years.

Murray, the recent recipient of Sport Yukon's territorial athlete of the year award, is participating in all of the individual cross-country races.

"I am honoured to get the chance to represent Canada here at the Winter Universiade,鈥� she told the Star via email. "It's been a great experience so far, and I'm sure it will continue to be.

"It is very exciting, but also slightly nerve-wracking to know that you are representing the whole country, and every action you take reflects on Canada.鈥�

Murray was named an Ontario University Athletics all-麻豆社区the past two seasons, while Hawkings was named MVP of the Carleton Ravens ski team in 2012.

"I am very excited and honoured to be representing Canada at these games,鈥� Hawkings said. "This is my first time racing internationally in skiing, and it is an amazing experience so far.

"It is really cool being part of a team at a multi-sport games of this magnitude. It is essentially an Olympics for university student-athletes.鈥�

So far, Murray has skied to a 52nd overall placement in the women's 10-km skiathlon (33:12.2), and 56th in the 1.2-km sprint (3:52.03).

Meanwhile, Hawkings finished 72nd in the 15-km skiathlon (44:56.1) and 58th in the 1.5-km sprint (3:46.60).