AN AIRMAN from the region has jetted off to Russia – to help carry country’s hopes at the Winter Olympics.

John Baines, a senior aircraftsman based at RAF Leeming, is heading for Sochi as part of the GB2 four-man bobsleigh team.

The Middlesbrough-born 28-year-old, who works as an ICT technician at the base, only took up the sport in 2008 but rapidly rose to Olympic standard.

“The opportunity given to me as an elite athlete in the Royal Air Force is a dream come true and I can’t think of a better career to have alongside my second as an athlete,” he said.

Although he is making his Olympic debut he insisted his military training had given him the relevant skills to adapt to any situation.

“Being part of a strong team is familiar to us and we have a clear understanding of the task ahead,” he said.

The Sochi Winter Olympics begin on February 7 in Russia. Team GB comprises of 56 athletes selected from the sports and disciplines of curling, figure skating, short track, skiing and snowboarding, skeleton, bobsleigh and biathlon.