By Anna Thompson

Woodward is confident of Britain's chances of medals in Vancouver

Sir Clive Woodward says Britain's Winter Olympians will be better prepared than ever as they target their most successful Games for 74 years.

Three medals in Vancouver next February would make it Britain's best haul in a Winter Olympics since 1936.

Woodward will be deputy chef de mission of the British Olympic Association in charge of performance.

"We want our athletes to deliver their best ever performance," Woodward told BBC Sport.

"If they can do that we will come away with medals."

Between now and next February, Woodward will be looking at getting the athletes and their equipment into the best shape possible, tapping into sport science and medicine.

He admitted British winter sports were not awash with funding, but said athletes can still perform at a world-class level.

They have the attitude and desire to achieve great things Sir Clive Woodward

"They are heroes because it is tough," he said. "Money is important but not a guarantee to success. We have to be smart and creative.

"Team GB will boast a hugely talented group of athletes and coaches, who have shown they have the attitude and desire to achieve great things.

"It will be my job to focus on performance and to make sure the BOA has given everything - absolutely everything - to deliver the best blueprint to allow our athletes and coaches to achieve their Olympic dreams."

This season Britain won three medals at World Championships, a gold in the women's bobsleigh and silvers in men's and women's bob skeleton.

Snowboard-cross racer Zoe Gillings finished on the podium in the World Cup finals and ice dance duo John and Sinead Kerr won a bronze medal at the European Figure Skating Championships, while in short-track speed skating Jon Eley clinched a silver in a World Cup race.

606: DEBATE How do you rate Britain's chances at the Winter Olympics?

Woodward will be part of a four-strong senior management group for Vancouver, which also includes Mark England as a deputy chef de mission (operations); Hugh Chambers as director of marketing and partnerships; and Mike Hay, director of the preparation camp.

New BOA chief executive Andy Hunt will be chef de mission and said the new structure would give an unprecedented level of support for athletes.

"We're hoping to build on what we achieved in Turin (one silver medal)," Hunt told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We haven't set specific medal targets for Vancouver but the prospects are looking really good - we could have the best Winter Olympics performance we've ever had.

"If you look at some of the performances we've had this season, like the women's bobsleigh with Nicola Minchiello and Gillian Cooke and the men's curling team becoming European champions, there's a raft of sports where we could potentially do well."

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