Drake to realise Olympic dream in Vancouver

By Helen Chandler, Sportsbeat

ED Drake will be realising a lifelong dream when he makes his Olympic debut this month but he insists he is not going to Vancouver to simply make up the numbers.  

KITTED OUT: GB's Ed Drake, pictured at the Team GB kitting out at Heathrow prior to heading towards Vancouver, will be realising a dream by competing at the Winter Olympics (Getty Images)

The 24-year-old is the reigning national giant slalom champion and is one of three British males making the trip to Vancouver, along with Dave Ryding and Andy Noble.

There was no place on the team for Noel Baxter or Dougie Crawford while the retirements of Alain Baxter and Finlay Mickel means the trio represent the new breed of British skiing.

All three will be making their Olympic debuts in British Columbia and while Drake is realistic about his chances he is convinced the long-term future is looking bright.  

"The Olympics is something I've dreamt about since I first wanted to be a ski racer," he said.

"Realistically we are going there with the view of peaking at Sochi 2014, but I'm not going to Vancouver just to make up the numbers.

"I would be ecstatic with a top 15 finish because I'm still young for a ski racer.

"It's the pinnacle of our sport and I'm just itching to get out there and compete and fulfil my dream."

Like all Great Britain's skiers and snowboarders, Drake's preparations for Vancouver have been hampered by the funding crisis at SnowsportGB.

The national governing body is on the brink of administration after considerable overspending, at one stage throwing the 14 British skiers and snowboarders' participation in Vancouver into doubt.

And much like fellow Brit Ben Kilner, Drake believes the London 2012 Summer Olympics are keeping the Winter Games out of the spotlight. 

"I think it's great that London got the Olympics but some of the funding has been taken from us and put into that instead," he added.

"British winter sport athletes are suffering because of London getting the Games.

"But it should improve the general profile of sport in this country so it's hard to complain too much."