HIGH Wycombe's Ben Sneesby has been selected to represent Team GB at the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

The 19-year-old is part of a seven-strong ski team that has been challenged to win between two and five medals at the Games, having never won a Paralympic gold medal before.

Sneesby had been hopeful of earning a place on the team after cutting his points down to below the qualification target of 130 in both slalom and giant slalom.

Speaking exclusively to the Bucks Free Press just before the announcement, he said: "If I could end up going to the Paralympics it would be amazing.

“I haven’t had chance to sit down and think about it yet, but if I look back on where I’ve been and how much I’ve improved it’s incredible. I have surprised myself.

“But I’m still young and think I have a lot more potential. I got a bronze in my last two races and I got a bronze in Canada as well.

“I can only see myself getting better and come 2018 my goal could be to get a Paralympic medal – I think that’s realistic.”

Completing the GB ski team is Kelly Gallgher, Jade Etherington, Mick Brennan, Anna Turney, Millie Knight and James Whitley.

Paralympics GB chef de mission Penny Briscoe said: "We know that the margins will be small and that we cannot underestimate how others will perform on the day.

"What is not in doubt, however, is the skill, determination and commitment of our athletes, who have shown that they can thrive under pressure and compete up there against the world's best."

The Winter Paralympics runs from March 7 to 16.