Australian snowboarder Torah Bright arrived in Torino for the Winter Olympics today, happy with her form and “feeling no pressure”.

Tipped as a likely medal winner for Australia, Bright said “I’m excited to be part of my first Olympic team and looking forward to giving it my best ride.”

She was accompanied by her brother and coach Ben. Their sister Rowena competed for Australia at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake.

“She told me to focus on my event and not be distracted by everything that is going on around me” Torah said.

 When she opened the bag containing her team uniform she seized on a jar of vegemite and a boxing kangaroo mascot.

“This is just great and I love the yellow in the uniform” she said.

Despite a long flight from the USA, Torah and Ben decided to wait and greet their fellow Aussie snowboarders who were coming in on a later flight.

She left Australia in October to train and compete overseas. She revealed today that prior to leaving Australia she suffered appendicitis and had to have them removed.

“I was very lucky it happened when it did and not at the Olympics."

Meanwhile, Australian figure skater Joanne Carter put in two training sessions after finally receiving her luggage which went astray in Frankfurt, Germany.

AOC