THERE might not be too much snow in Whitchurch but that hasn’t stopped a snowboarder from West Devon being selected for the GB Europa Cup squad.

Royal Engineer Commando Chris Gregory is one of six chosen for the elite ski and snowboard cross squad which will represent Great Britain in a newly launched Europa Cup programme competing among the best in Europe.

Snowboard cross (SBX) involves four or six riders racing neck and neck down a track that consists of jumps, banks and bends. The cup will be competed for in a series of events this year and early 2019 in venues in the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Serbia and France.

Chris’s father Lance said that his son was hoping his selection for squad would help him attain a place in the GB squad in the winter Olympics in China.

Lance said: ‘His inclusion in the GB Europa Cup squad is a great achievement after only one year competing last season, at the International FIS level.

Corporal Gregory has also been selected for the special funding from Sport England; Chris also receives support from the British Army.

He is currently training in Australia and competing in the Australia-New Zealand continental cup.

Chris said: ‘I’m excited to be competing in the Australia-New Zealand Cup ahead of the European season.

‘Summer training has gone really well with the British team in France over the last couple months and I’m feeling good.’