TEAM: Four Australians with the best tricks and biggest hopes for the Olympic Winter Games arrived in Sochi late on Saturday evening full of excitement with only four full days until competition commences.

Snowboarders Torah Bright and Scotty James, who will compete on Thursday in Slopestyle seeding ahead of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, along with Anna Segal and Russ Henshaw, who are making their Olympic debut in the new Ski Slopestyle events, were all smiles for media at the airport.

The boarders come to the Games off the back of fantastic seasons while big time performers Henshaw and Segal are recovering from a heavy crash and a recurring injury respectively.  

Bright said her decision to chase qualification in three events – Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Snowboard Cross – was a simple one as she chases fun and works to inspire others.

“It wasn’t a tough decision at all,” the defending Halfpipe champion said.

“I’m here to have as much fun as I can and that has been my goal in snowboarding.

“This past year trying to qualify for three events... I can say that I have been very successful with that and I’m having the most fun on my snowboard I’ve ever had.

“The Olympics is about inspiring people and other young athletes. If I can inspire some kids to belief in their faith and make it happen.

“As far as the schedule goes it is very doable. You can be the jack of all trades or master of none who knows I don’t care. I’m having a great time.”

James who was a baby of the 2010 Team will add Slopestyle to Halfpipe at these Olympics. He has medalled in both disciplines in a big season for the 19-year-old.

“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.”

James was relaxed about his pre-Olympic jitters.

“Of course I’m always a little bit nervous I think its natural going in to big competitions. 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.”

Henshaw’s top form on the rails and jumps of Slopestyle courses all season came to a heavy halt at X Games last week.

“I’m feeling completely fine now, Henshaw explained. “ The crash I had in competition actually wasn’t that bad. The crash in training was a little worse and I hurt my head a little. Now I’ve just been taking it easy and keeping my fluids up.

The chilled out skier from Jindabyne in the Australian Snowy Mountains knows landing on your head is part of the risk of constantly pushing yourself harder.

“That’s just part of the sport,” he said. “Sometimes you land your tricks and sometimes you don’t and you end up hurting yourself.  You’ve just got to push it to the back of your mind and move on.

“I feel good I’m feeling really good. I had a good start to the season skiing in Colorado and I feel like I’m skiing really well look forward to a good performance.”

Australian media asked him if he was capable of the Olympic podium in the new event.

“I’d love to be on the podium but we’ll see how it all goes.”

Segal who was the 2011 World Champion said she had butterflies with anticipation on the plane. Despite a persistent knee injury she is confident she will take her place

The 27-year-old from Melbourne has been battling a knee injury this season. She has been off snow lately and will have until Monday 10 February to prove her fitness.

Despite not having been on the snow in the past few weeks, she says she’s not too worried about the fitness test.

"Mentally I'm feeling stronger than I ever have.  I've been doing a lot of visualising and just really positive energy and positive thoughts. I think the mental toughness is the most important thing to have and my body's also feeling pretty good too," Segal said.