Chemmy Alcott was today backed to keep improving after finishing 14th in the women's combined skiing at the Winter Olympics.

Alcott, from Hove, was 12th after the downhill in Salt Lake City as Croatia's Janica Kostelic headed to the gold medal.

Former Olympic skier Martin Bell said: "Chemmy has definitely got a bit of deficit to make up against other girls of her generation, but I'm sure she can do it because the one thing that impresses me about Chemmy is her positive attitude.

"If she starts to do some more downhill and some serious downhill training and get proper ski testing, I think she could become a top contender in combined events.

"She always has been a very promising slalom skier and everyone has been waiting for the day she becomes our best."