OUR Winter Olympians will soon be competing in some of the most dangerous sports in the world.

Rossendale’s Kristan Bromley and his girlfriend Shelley Rudman will be hurling themselves down an ice course at 80mph on little more than a carbon fibre ‘tea tray’ as they go for gold in the Skeleton.

Blackburn’s bobsleigh ace Paula Walker will also be negotiating more than 1km of twists and turns at equally terrifying speeds.

Colne’s Dave Ryding, the only male member of the Team GB ski squad, will be tackling the mountains when he sets out on the Slalom course.

And Chorley ice skater Stacey Kemp will be making sure she doesn’t put a foot wrong in her ultra-sharp skates.

Two years ago, the country was united as we all shouted on our athletes at London 2012.

Then 12 athletes from East Lancashire did us proud.

It is a major achievement that five local people will now be taking part in the winter version – despite the lack of snow and ice here for much of the year.

We wish them all well and hope they will find just as much success in Sochi.