Ed Drake admits his Winter Olympics debut is more of a fact-finding mission than a medal hunt, writes Ryan Bangs.

The 24-year-old, Britain’s reining giant slalom skiing champion, is in Vancouver as part of a youthful GB alpine team with Dave Ryding, 23 and Andy Noble, 25.

It is a changing of the guard, with veterans Alain Baxter and Finlay Mickel having retired and Noel Baxter, 28, being overlooked by the selectors.

“Goig to a Winter Olympics is the pinnacle in our sport so I can’t wait to fulfil a dream of mine,” said Drake.

“I have dreamt about the Olympics since I first wanted to be a ski racer.

“Realistically, I have to go there with a view of peaking at Sochi 2014, but this can be valuable experience for me and something to learn from.

“But I am definitely not going to Vancouver just to make up the numbers.

“I want to ski well and I would be ecstatic with a top- 15 finish because I am still young for a ski racer.”

Drake will be joined on Canada’s west coast by Twickenham-based Chemmy Alcott.

But the poster girl of the 52-strong GB team has warned her rivals to look beyond her appearance.

“I came 11th in Turin four years ago, but this time my aspirations are higher,” said Alcott.

“I believe I have got the talent to challenge for a medal, and a gold one would be fantastic.”

Kingston speed skating ace Sarah Lindsay will be making her third and final Winter Olympic appearance.

The 29-year-old – who has held the national title since 2000 – is pinning her hopes on a late-season form spurt to fire her onto the podium in Canada, having finished fourth in Turin.

“It has been difficult since the last Olympics because I had a bad back injury and there were times when I was quite low,” said Lindsay.

“But the last few weeks have gone well and that has boosted my confidence.

“Everyone has started to skate quickly and there is a lot of optimism in the team now.”

* Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to Vancouver 2010. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012