Crawford determined to make amends for Olympic disappointment

By Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat

DOUGIE Crawford has his sights firmly set on an assault on the 2014 Winter Olympics to make up for the heartache of missing out on February's showpiece in Canada.

AMBITIOUS: After winning the British title, Dougie Crawford is determined to make up for his Olympic disappointment as he starts the long road to Sochi 2014

The 23-year-old was controversially overlooked for the Vancouver Games with British selectors choosing Ed Drake, Andrew Noble and Dave Ryding to tackle the changeling Whistler Creekside course.

Crawford put the shock exclusion behind him to win the overall title at the British Land Ski Championships in Meribel in April - the first male winner since Alain Baxter nine years earlier.

And he has already begun training with and is predicting an improved season for the British team, following the financial meltdown of SnowsportGB just a week before the Olympics.

"This year is a big year for me and the rest of the team as we are just looking to break through on the World Cup circuit and just keep trying to get some good results," said Crawford.

"We've got quite a settled team together and I can't wait to get back on the skis to see what I can do.

"I'm not sure where and when we are going to be competing because at the moment we have what looks to be a guaranteed programme - but it is a very small one.

"The authorities [British Ski and Snowboarding] don't want to make the same mistakes that SnowsportGB made and spend money before we get it.

"It all remains to be seen as to how it will work out but hopefully we can get some good results and that will help us out and help us to secure some sponsors and it will snowball from there."