Skeleton slider Lizzy Yarnold is about to fulfil a lifelong dream when she goes for gold at the Winter Olympics in Sochi next week.

The former Maidstone Grammar School for Girls student is one of Great Britain’s leading medal contenders after winning the skeleton World Cup last month.

And 25-year-old Yarnold, who grew up in West Kingsdown, insists she is prepared for the biggest week of her life.

She said: “This is a dream come true. My whole life I’ve dreamt about becoming a British Olympian and for the last five years since I took up skeleton, competing at Sochi 2014 has been my primary focus.

“This season has been great for my preparation. I’m in a good place, both physically and mentally and I can’t wait to get back on the Sochi track, go over the lines and maintain my focus.

“I don’t take part in races to come second, so I will approach the Olympic Winter Games as I do every race and give it everything I’ve got.”

Yarnold, the 2012 junior world champion, finished on the podium in seven of the eight World Cup races this season.

The first two skeleton runs in Sochi take place on Thursday, before Yarnold and fellow Brit Shelley Rudman – the reigning world champion – do their third and fourth runs on Friday.