EYOWF: Moynihan aiming high after Olympic experience in Liberec

From Ben Baker, Sportsbeat, in Liberec

ALPINE skier Nick Moynihan believes he is set for life among the world's elite after the curtain came down on the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival for himself and Great Britain in Liberec.

FANTASTIC FOUR: Emily Evans, Jack Gower, Nick Moynihan and Natalie Beattie in the mixed team parallel giant slalom

Moynihan, son of BOA chairman Lord Colin, joined forces with Jack Gower, Emily Evans and Natalie Beattie as Britain competed for the last time in the Czech Republic in the parallel giant slalom team event.

The 16-year-old was on form as they blazed past Georgia 4-0 in the first round however Germany next up proved too strong as they lost 4-0 with Moynihan the only one to finish a race.

However Moynihan - whose father won Olympic silver as a cox for Britain's men's eight in 1980 - insists he was delighted with the send off and is convinced the trip will stand him in good stead for the future.

"The team event was so fun. It is awesome to do an event where you are all in a team and not just out there on your own and it was great to all be together," said Moynihan.

"With all the teams together it creates such a good atmosphere at the start of the race and it is a great environment to be in and a great way to finish things off.

"We would have liked to have beaten Germany obviously but they were really good and deserved the win in the end but the result against Georgia was good.

"I have done a race like that once before but nowhere near as intense or high level so it was great fun doing it and a great way to end and to experience that pressure will help in the future.

"I am leaving with a bit of a knock because I haven't done as well as I would have hoped but I am off to Bormio now for the English Championships so hopefully I can put it together there and get some better results.

"I am sure I will come away from Liberec a better skier for everything that has happened and I can't wait to get back out there again as this trip has left me wanting more."

Meanwhile world champion Gower helped Great Britain officially sign off in Liberec in style after being nominated as flag-bearer for the closing ceremony by his teammates.

Gower was the most consistent performer during week, recording two top-25 finishes with first 22nd in the giant slalom and then 17th in the slalom 48 hours later.

He still saw room for improvement on such performances in the Czech Republic but admitted he couldn't have asked for a better way to round off his Festival.

"I was crossing my fingers but I wasn't sure if I would get the honour. Getting it is amazing and I am so happy," said Gower.

"It's very special because it is voted on by the athletes, I knew that alpine had voted for me but to have other the disciplines vote is great. It is a lovely way to end the week.

"This has been an amazing experience, the British Olympic Association have been great and I've made fantastic new friends.

"My performances could have been better but I tried my best and I can learn from this. I am just so happy I got to carry the flag."

The British Olympic Association prepares and leads the ‘Best of British' at the summer, winter and youth Olympics. It supports Team GB and National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic values. www.olympics.org.uk