91Èȱ¬

Skeleton racer Lizzy Yarnold says being picked to represent Team GB at the Winter Olympics in Sochi is the culmination of a long-held ambition.

The 25-year-old from Sevenoaks took up the skeleton at age 19.

"It has been a sentence I have been waiting to say for a long time - that I am going to the Winter Olympics," she told 91Èȱ¬ South East Today.

"Realising that dream has been a long journey. I haven't really believed in it until the last few years."

Yarnold became junior world champion in 2012 and leads the World Cup standings this season, having won four of the seven events.

"I am so so happy that all the hard work has been worthwhile," she added.

"This season, being on the podium in all seven races has given me so much confidence and made it a reality.

"It is a dream I have wanted for such a long time. I can't want to put my kit on and be a part of the team.

"I can't wait now to see what I can achieve in Sochi. I am going to give it everything."

Yarnold has picked up a medal at all seven of the World Cup events this season, including victories in Calgary, Lake Placid, Winterberg and Igls.

The Bath-based athlete only needs to complete her runs at this weekend's event in Konigsee, Germany, to be guaranteed the overall gold medal for the season.

Yarnold, who tops the world rankings, is content with her form ahead of the Sochi Games, which begin on 7 February.

"I am in great form at the moment and seem to be exactly where I always planned," she said.

"There is a lot of expectation and we have been performing really well this season. All I can do is just go there and focus on the job I need to do there.

"All my processes are exactly the same for the Winter Olympics as they have been for the World Cup races all season.

"As long as I am ticking all the boxes and getting all my small goals done that will give me the right building blocks to perform in Sochi."