Boarders begin Olympic bid

By Anna Thompson
Winter sports editor

McKenna had three top-three finishes last season

Five British snowboarders are set to begin their quest to qualify for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

With the season only weeks away, they will be led by half-pipe star Lesley McKenna, who finished third in the World Cup standings last season.

Also in the half-pipe World Cup team are James Foster, Dom Harrington and Dan Wakeham.

Harrington is doubling up in the big air team as well, where he finished a creditable 21st in the world last year.

And teenager Zoe Gillings will embark on her second full season in the snowboarder-cross discipline and will be looking for a top-five finish after her eighth place in the standings last season.

During a week's training camp an incredible mass of British talent was on display GB coach Craig Smith

At the last Olympics only McKenna qualified to represent Great Britain in the Salt Lake City Games.

But all five have realistic chances for the Turin Games this time around.

The qualifying criteria means the men have to record two top-25 or one top-20 finish in the season and accumulate at least 120 International Ski Federation points.

The women need two top-20 or one top-15 finish as well as 120 points.

The World Cup team was chosen after a selection camp last month.

British snowboard team coach Craig Smith said: "During a week's training camp an incredible mass of British talent was on display."

The World Cup snowboard season kicks off on 18 September with snowboarder-cross and half-pipe events at Valle Nevado in Chile.