Sochi 2014: Katie Summerhayes, Team GB's Freestyle Skiing Hope, Profiled

Summerhayes To Shine In Winter? Team GB's Medal Hope Profiled

Katie Summerhayes is one of Britain's brightest hopes at the Sochi Winter Olympics, where she will compete in the ski slopestyle final on Tuesday morning.

The 18-year-old came third in the qualifiers to give Team GB hope of earning only their second ever medal on snow - 48 hours after Jenny Jones claimed the first in the snowboard equivalent.

Summerhayes carded a very respectable 81.40 first time around, then bettered it to 84.00 in her second run to comfortably finish in the top 12 who qualify for the final, which gets under way at 1300 local time (0900GMT).

Summerhayes celebrates during the Freestyle Skiing Women's Slopestyle Qualification

The Sheffield teenager was quick to play down expectations and believes any one of the 22 athletes competing at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park are capable of topping the podium.

"Every competition is so unpredictable," she told Press Association Sport. "The weather could be bad on the day, which means that people can't be doing the best. I honestly think anyone can win.

"My expectations are just to be happy with how I performed, that's all you can ask for.

"But I really want to make finals, that would be something I'd be happy with."

Here are some facts about the teen:

  • Born: 8 October 1995
  • Suffered a career-threatening knee injury a few years ago
  • Won the first World Cup skiing medal by a British female in 19 years when she secured silver
  • So starstruck when she met Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Jessica Ennis she ran off
  • Her favourite films are Twilight, New Moon, Paranormal Activity and Never Say Never
  • She lists The Last Song and the Twilight series as her favourite books
Team GB Kitting Out ahead of Sochi Winter Olympics

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