The 23-strong British team, which is led by Chef de Mission Sir Clive Woodward, who coached England's rugby team which won the World Cup in 2003, will compete alongside 1,000 of the best young athletes across nine disciplines in Austria when the Games are due to get underway on January 13.

Katie Summerhayes (pictured) is one of the team's brightest prospects, and the 16-year-old will compete in the half-pipe event, a new addition to the Olympic Programme, which makes a full Olympic debut at Sochi in 2014. 

Summerhayes was delighted to have the chance to compete at the Games, and said: "I am so happy that I have the chance to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in January.

"It means so much to me to be able to compete for Team GB and to experience everything else around it.

"I have been training really hard over the summer to gain the best result that I can and it is going to be a dream come true."

Thomas Muirhead, the younger brother of four time junior world and current senior European champion Eve, has also been selected in the curling team, which is being spearheaded by Duncan Menzies.

The bobsleigh athletes will be hopeful of success having competed at Europa Cup level, with Jazmin Sawyers representing a leading prospect as a 2011 Youth Commonwealth Games medallist.


Six-time Olympian Mike Dixon's son Scott will compete in cross-country skiing and Calum Irvine (pictured) will compete in the biathlon.

"I am hugely excited to be leading a team of 23 very talented and ambitious young winter athletes to the Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck," said Sir Clive.

"I have no doubt that Team GB's athletes will compete with great skill and pride to produce some thrilling performances.

"By winning Olympic gold in Whistler last year, Amy Williams demonstrated what can be achieved with dedication, determination and a great support system.

"Our priority at the British Olympic Association has been to ensure we have left no stone unturned in our preparations to allow every Team GB athlete to fulfil their potential and produce their personal best in Innsbruck."

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