McKenna secures snowboard spot

McKenna has been snowboarding for five years

Scotland's Lesley McKenna has been selected to be Great Britain's snowboarder at the Winter Olympics.

The 27-year-old will compete in the sport's half-pipe category in Salt Lake City next month.

McKenna, who grew up on the slopes of Aviemore, finished second in two World Cup events last year and was third in the overall standings

And Simon Clegg, who is overseeing Team GB's preparations for the Winter Games, believes she can aim for a medal.

  Lesley McKenna factfile

Date of birth: 9.8.74

Born: Aviemore

British snowboard champion: 1996, shortly after switch from alpine skiing

Best World Cup result: Second, twice

World ranking: Third

"Lesley's encouraging results over the last couple of seasons should certainly place her in the medal zone in Salt Lake City," said Clegg, the British Olympic Association's chief executive.

McKenna comes from a family of committed skiers which includes her cousin Alain Baxter - Britain's slalom hope in Salt Lake City.

She raced for the British junior team at the age of 12 and was women's giant slalom champion in 1994.

Just a week after retiring from alpine competition in 1996, she became British snowboarding champion.

Fiona McNeilly, operations director of the British Ski and Snowboard Federation, said McKenna would be looking to produce a "strong and creative performance."

McNeilly added: "Lesley has been one of our most consistent performers over the past two seasons with two World Cup podium finishes."

If I come 10th or better, I will be over the moon

McKenna on her Olympic chances

At the Olympics, the top six from the first judged session and the best six from the second run of the remaining 14 competitors progress to the final 12 who compete for the medals.

McKenna has been playing down her medal chances.

"There are 20 of us at the Olympics, and they're all ahead of me as favourites for the medals," said McKenna.

"If I can come 10th or better I will be over the moon, and if I have a really lucky day I might get in the top five.

"I had two second places last year, and there's only one girl in the world I've never beaten.

"But it's a judged sport, so you need a massive bit of luck to get top three.

"Snowboarding in the Olympics is a lot about putting on a show. You ride the pipe and just hope everybody has the best run of their lives."