Led by half-pipe world champion Liu Jiayu, Chinese snowboard skiers aim to take the ongoing Winter Universiade as a springboard to the Vancouver Olympics next year.

An Linbin, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Skiing Association, told Xinhua on Wednesday that preparing for the Winter Olympics was the main objective for Chinese snowboard team.

"We sent a strong squad here, but it's not only for the Universiade," said An, who was also the director of the gradually popular sport in China.

"We made no special training plan before it. Some players just returned from World Cup and will continue to join this event. For them, Universiade provides a good training arena for Vancouver." added by An, who tried to keep a low profile regarding the objective for the Winter Olympics, but also showed his confidence in the sport's future with the increasing popularity among China's youngsters.

Chinese snowboard skiers made their Olympic debut in 2006 at Turino, Italy, where Pan Wei and Sun Zhifeng finished 28th and 31st respectively in the women's half-pipe competitions.

Just one year later, their compatriot Liu Jiayu jumped onto the podium at an World Cup event in Calgary, Canada, capturing her first title in top level world competitions.

The 16-year-old Liu came to the spotlight again in the following two seasons, clinching her second crown in the World Cup series with victory in Switzerland and then grabbing a first ever gold medal of the World Championships in South Korea for both herself and Chinese snowboarders.

"Of course, getting an Olympic medal is each skier's dream. Now, it is too early for me to consider it. I will improve myself bit by bit in each training session and race. Seeking a podium finish is my aim in Vancouver." said the promising star after Wednesday's free skiing.

Though Liu is the favorite to wrap up her first gold at the Universiade, the director of the sport still warned his side to keep clear head for the upcoming competitions to be kicked off on Friday.

"Our medal drive only lie in the half-pipe event. In parallel giant slalom, we are still far behind the world's top skiers. I hope the team could treat each match carefully and to gain more experience for the Olympics." concluded by An.

Featuring a total of seven events, namely men's and women's half-pipe, parallel giant slalom, snowboard cross and men's big air, the six-day snowboard competitions will be staged on at Maoershan ski resort, the branch venue of the host city Harbin, the Chinese northeastern city famous for annual Ice and Snow Festival.

The 10-day 24th Winter Universiade, which officially opened on Wednesday evening, has attracted a record high of about 4,000 athletes, officials and referees from 44 countries and regions. They will compete in 12 sports and 81 events.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2009)