Alcott selected in 19 strong ski and snowboard Olympic squad

Chemmy Alcott will appear at her fourth Olympics after convincing selectors she was fit to appear in Sochi.

Alcott has not appeared on the World Cup circuit this season and saw her comeback downhill race in Cortina last weekend cancelled due to heavy snow.

But team officials are confident she is ready to compete after defying the odds and impressing medics with her recovery with another broken leg last year.

Alcott is one of 19 British skiers and snowboarders selected for Sochi, the biggest delegation named for the Games since Albertville in 1992, and is joined on the team by fellow alpine skier Dave Ryding, last season's Europa Cup slalom champion.

"Being able to compete in my fourth Olympic Games is no less meaningful for me than competing in my first in Salt Lake City in 2002," said Alcott

"Since Vancouver I have done everything I could have done to be in Russia. Preparations were far from ideal but with my self belief and confidence and the support I have from everyone I can't wait to get into that Olympic start gate and push myself to my very best."

Andrew Musgrave, who beat the best of Norway to win the sprint title at their national championships last week, is one of four cross country skiers, with the nordic team completed by his sister Posy, Callum Smith and Andrew Young.

"This will be my second Olympics, having also raced at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, but four years ago I was still very young," said Musgrave.

"Going into Sochi I feel like a much more mature and experienced athlete and I believe what I have learnt over the course of the last four years will help me perform to a much higher level and I cannot wait to get started.”

World bronze medallist James Woods will lead a powerful contingent of six freestyle skiers and will compete in the new slopestyle discipline, alongside Katie Summerhayes, a recent World Cup silver medallist who finished fourth at last year's World Championships.

"To be given the opportunity to go to the Winter Olympics is amazing," said Woods.

"I will certainly put all my efforts into my performance, representing my country and representing the freeskiing culture.
"The UK has a brilliant team going to Sochi along with an incredible field of people to follow, I truly hope everyone reaches their huge potential."

Rowan Cheshire, who recently became Britain's first women's ski World Cup winner in 22 years, will compete in the halfpipe along with Emma Lonsdale, Murray Buchan and James Machon.

"When I think about competing in Sochi I feel a little nervous, but at the moment I am just overcome with excitement," said Cheshire.

“To have made it to Sochi means the world to me as I have grown up watching the Olympics and dreaming of going, and this has now become a reality."

Seven snowboarders complete the squad, with double X Games champion Jenny Jones making her Games debut in the new slopestyle discipline alongside Aimee Fuller, Jamie Nicholls and Billy Morgan, who finished fourth at last year's World Championships.

Ben Kilner makes a second Olympic appearance in the halfpipe with team-mate Dom Harrington while regular World Cup medallist Zoe Gillings will compete in her third Games in the snowboard cross and look to improve on her eighth place finish in Vancouver.

"I am delighted to have been selected to compete for my third Olympic Winter Games," said Gillings

"Now is the time for me to go to Sochi, use the experience I've gained at my two previous Winter Olympics, ride as fast as I can and try to get onto that podium."

© Sportsbeat 2014