SOLDIER Lee Jackson is proving himself a world-class competitor in one of the toughest of winter sports.

A lance corporal with the Green Howards, he is part of the Great Britain ski biathlon A team for the World Cup, which got underway this week.

Lee, from Fairfield, Stockton, and who joined the regiment in 1996, is setting his sights high by aiming for an Olympic place.He was chosen for the team after a hard-fought selection process which took place in Kontolhati, in Finland.

Twelve members of the national team challenged for the coveted top four places in the A team.

The first event, held at Ostersund, in Sweden, was the first of two parts on the World Cup circuit. Further events take place in Sweden, Slovenia and Slovakia later this month.

After a Christmas break, the second part begins on January 5, with events in Italy, Austria and Germany.

The biathlon combines cross-country skiing and shooting, and requires physical strength as well as concentration and technical skill.

The skiing part of the race, which is completed on a number of tracks of varying length around the shooting range, is alternated with rounds of shooting.

Lee is hoping for a successful season as part of his preparations for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

But more immediately, he and his fiance Lisa, who comes from Primrose Hill, Stockton, are looking forward to the birth of their second child, due on January 6.