Ed Drake believes team-mate Chemmy Alcott is ready to deliver after Britain's leading alpine skiing hope arrived in Vancouver brimming with confidence.

After two days of weather delays, Drake was the first British skier in action at the Winter Olympics, finishing 38th in the men's downhill - over three-and-a-half seconds behind Swiss winner Didier Defago.

But he acknowledges that Teddington’s Alcott is the one to watch in the days ahead.

"Chemmy is fired up and this is her time to shine, she's been waiting a long time for this and has been working so hard," said Drake.

"She's in good form and she is certainly in a place where she can deliver.

"I just hope that she gets the luck with the weather and then who knows."

Meanwhile, Drake insisted he felt no ill-effects from the knee injury he sustained in training earlier this month as he made his Olympic debut.

Although he believed his preparations were hit by the fact he was only able to complete one training run on the Dave Murray course, due to poor weather at Whistler Creekside.

"It would have been nice to run the course a couple of more times," he added.

"It's been a frustrating wait but it's an outdoor sport and you can't control the weather and it's given me the chance to do some slalom training.

"It's very cool to finally get out there and become an Olympian - this is something I've have dreamt about for some time."

Drake, 24, is one of Britain's busiest skiers in Vancouver, with four events to follow.

Friday's men's super-G remains the top focus, although continued weather problems mean could still be delayed.

"This is only my second downhill this season, so it was never a priority," he added.

"I would have loved a top 30 but I skied pretty well with only a couple of mistakes and it's all good experience the races to come.

“My main aim is super-G and I’d love to get into the top 20 but that has been going well recently.

“It was cool just to get down and get stuck in. I’ve had loads of support and text messages. from back home, and it means so much to know all those people are up late at night watching the races.

“My family is all out here cheering me on and my girlfriend is back home watching on television.”

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