TEAM: Three of Australia’s biggest snowboarding names have prioritised their focus on competition at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

With the kick off of the Olympics less than two days away, seven more Australian athletes landed in Sochi early Wednesday night (local time). 

21-year-old snowboarder Belle Brockhoff said the exhaustion of the flight hadn’t dampened her excitement. 

“I’m really excited I got no sleep last night.  So I’m really tired now but all good,” she said. 

“As a kid it’s always been a dream of mine so it’s becoming a reality. 

“This has always been the focus and this has been my focus for the last ten years.”

The only openly gay Australian athlete at the Games, Brockhoff said she was concerned about gay rights in Russia, but her focus was firstly on her competition. 

“This is my main focus. This is my only focus. I won’t be doing anything crazy towards these gay laws. I’ll just be doing my job as an athlete and an athlete only,” she said. 

“Hopefully if I get a medal I’ll be able to use that platform to point these things out and hopefully get a change. But, you know, if I don’t get a medal not many people will want to listen to my opinion.

”In his second Olympics, keen surfer Alex “Chumpy” Pullin said being back to compete in the Snowboard Cross was a dream come true. 

“When I was younger there was just all too much to enjoy of the sport itself, but it’s something that develops along the way and watching the sport and watching the Olympics,” he said. 

“It’s absolutely amazing to be a part of.”

After starting on the international circuit at the age of 15, Pullin said the Olympics had a special feel.

“Competitively there’s no difference. All the same competitors, all the same rivals. As far as an event, everything. It’s huge, it’s massive,” he said. 

“You feel really part of at team and the Aussie team we’ve got going in this year and yeah it feels amazing to be a part of. And that enormity of everything I think it really brings a new element to competition.

”Asked if he had thought about being asked to carry the team flag at the Opening Ceremony, Pullin said it would be a huge honour. 

“At the moment I’m just focused on getting in, catching up with everyone,” he said. 

“The opening ceremony is a really exciting part, it’s the first thing I’m really looking forward to.

“It’s a great time to bring the team together and I guess sort of psyche up for the event and the time ahead of us. We’ll wait and see, but it’s an exciting time.”Pullin is aiming for a podium finish after winning the World Championship and World Cup title in 2011 and 2013.

“You feel the pressures ... my expectations are the heaviest ones. I’m here to do my best and aiming for the top like everyone is,” he said.

“I’m feeling really good ... whoever I line up in the gate against I’ll be giving it my best to get across the line in front of them.The 26-year-old said the recent withdrawal of Shaun White from the Slopestyle event was unfortunate and the event was wide open.  

“He’s a role model. Everyone’s got to play the game that will suit them best, juggling with a few different events is a big task.  I hope he’s all good ... he’ll be looking to do his thing in the Halfpipe all the same,” he said.  

“There’s always newcomers, there’s always fresh faces. At this event you can’t underestimate anyone,” he said.

After missing out on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics when he suffered an ankle injury during a training session two weeks out, Nate Johnstone will make his debut in Sochi.

The 23-year-old Halfpipe snowboarder said finding out he was selected for Sochi was exhilarating. 

“I had a good result back in January last year and that definitely helped my selection but definitely getting it in writing, the email, was a special moment. I remember when I got it I was just like pretty ecstatic,” he said. 

“It was only around the corner, really close, and now we’re here at Sochi airport getting ready to head up the mountains. It’s all exciting. 

“Seeing all the people and the media everywhere and it’s kind of like oh god I don’t really know what I’m in for, but I think it’s going to be exciting.”

Asked about his friendship with fellow Australian Scotty James, Johnstone said he hoped for an all Australian final.

“It’s a friendly rivalry I guess. We’re friends at the end of the day and always will be,” he said.

“I’m just really happy for him, he’s done well. That’d be the dream scenario. And then just duke it out in the final.”But for now, Johnstone is just excited to head up the mountain to check out the Athletes’ Village and get his photo with the Olympic rings. 

“We’ll tick that off the list of things to do, for sure,” he said. 

Joining Brockhoff, Pullin and Johnstone to head to the Village after arriving early Wednesday night (local time) in Sochi were snowboarders Cameron Bolton, Kent Callister, Holly Crawford and Jarryd Hughes.