By Gary Anderson

February 20 - Kees-Jan van der Klooster has been joined by six other athletes on the Dutch squad for Sochi 2014 ©Getty Images The Netherlands has named seven athletes for its Sochi 2014 Paralympics with snowboarders Bibian Mentel-Spee and Lisa Bunschoten seen as the biggest medal hopes as the sport makes its ebut.

Mentel-Spee and Bunschoten have been among the top performers on the International Paralympic Committee Adaptive Snowboard (IPCAS) World Cup circuit this season.

In fact, Mentel-Spee will head to Sochi as a raging hot favourite for gold after winning all seven races on this season's tour including the IPCAS World Cup Finals in La Molina, Spain, earlier this month.

Teammate Bunschoten will also be seen as a major medal threat after picking up a silver and a bronze at World Cup events this season.

Merijn Koek and Chris Vos complete the Dutch snowboard team.

Last time-out in Vancouver, Kees-Jan van der Klooster was the sole Dutch representative at the Games and will compete once again in Sochi, where he will be joined by fellow Alpine skiers Anna Jochemsen and Bart Verbruggen.

Marjorie van de Bunt is the last Dutch Paralympic athlete to medal at a Games in Salt Lake City in 2002 ©Getty Images Marjorie van de Bunt is the last Dutch Paralympic athlete to medal at a Games in Salt Lake City in 2002 ©Getty Images



"Since Vancouver 2010 we have grown from one athlete (Kees-Jan van der Klooster) to seven athletes," said Chef de Mission Andre Cats.

"That's a big compliment to everyone who helped to achieve that.

"All the athletes have worked very hard for four years, to be at their best at the biggest and most beautiful sport event there is for them –- the Paralympic Winter Games."

The Netherlands last experienced medal success at Salt Lake City 2002 when the great Marjorie van de Bunt secured one gold and three silver medals in Nordic skiing events.

The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games are due to take place from March 7 to 16.

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