Snowbirds

As the first of the Irish goes into action this Friday, the nation’s hopes at the 2006 Winter Olympics rest on just four competitors — two slalom skiers, a cross-country racer and a skeleton slider.
Before you scoff, be reminded that Ireland only narrowly missed out on a medal last time round, in Salt Lake City — when Lord Clifton Wrottesley finished in fourth place in the skeleton, or sledging, competition.
The Galway peer is now the chef de mission for the Irish team — and he’s hoping for a similarly rousing performance from his young prot