A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student will represent the University and Australia as a member of the cross-country skiing team in competition at the World University Winter Games in Erzurum in Turkey from Thursday 27 January to Sunday 6 February 2011. Ms Esther Bottomley is an elite cross-country skier who is currently studying a postgraduate Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) by distance education through the School of Teacher Education in Bathurst. CSU student support officer, Mr Nik Granger, said, “Esther is Australia's number one ranked cross-country sprint skier, and has competed in the 2005 and 2007 Winter University Games. She is presently training in Switzerland for the upcoming Games. Studying by distance education with Charles Sturt University has enabled her to further her studies to become a teacher while allowing her the time and flexibility to train and compete at an elite level in cross-country skiing. During her studies Esther has competed in several World Cup events, the 2009 World Championships in the Czech Republic, and qualified and competed in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.”