Nairobi — Kenya's lone competitor in the forthcoming Turin Winter Olympics Philip Boit is targeting shaving his cross country 10-km time by minutes to put him within the middle finishers.

"I aim to make a time of 27-28 minutes if the track and the weather is favourable," he said on a visit to Nation Centre.

Kenya's lone Olympics skier Philip Boit at the Nation Centre on Tuesday.

Photo/Chris Omollo

This will be a quantum leap from his performance eight years ago when he finished 92nd and last with a time of just over 48 minutes, twice what it took race winner Bjorn Daehlie to breast the tap.

"This is my third Winter Olympics and I want to make sure I show as many competitors as possible my back. There are many skiers who will be going to Turin for their first Olympics, those from non winter countries. I cannot accept to be beaten by them.

"I know they will be looking out for me," the 34-year-old Boit said, not unlike a champion fighter hearing the sound of a rival's battle cry.

The 10th Winter Olympics will be held in Turin, Italy, from February 10 to 26. Boit has been entered in the two cross country skiing events: 10 km classic style and 1.5 km sprint free style.