When Australia kicks off its 2014 Winter Olympics campaign in Sochi on Friday there will be a number of athletes for Essendon fans to keep a close eye on.

Scotty James and Lydia Lasilla are two passionate Bomber supporters set to hit the slopes in Russia over the next fortnight.

James said he was looking forward to taking part in his second Games.

“It feels great to be here,” James said. “It’s been a long process but I’m really stoked and really looking forward to it.

“The lead-up’s been really fun. I’ve been doing a lot of extra competitions like Dew Tour and X Games just having a lot of fun on the snowboard at the moment and it’s been really rewarding.”

 “All year I’ve been approaching each competition just having fun with it, which is what snowboarding is - it’s really fun and we enjoy it a lot. That’s been my mentality all year and for the Olympics.

“If I wasn’t nervous I would be worried that would mean I wasn’t really switched on.”

James will compete in the Men’s Half Pipe and Slopestyle with Lasilla to compete in the Women’s Aerials event.

Make sure you follow the pairs progress on the club’s website and via their twitter accounts @scottyjames31 and @lydialassila.

Also from March 7 when the Winter Olympics kick off avid Essendon fan Jess Gallaghar will be competing.

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