FAREHAM'S Olympic gymnastics hope Vanessa Hobbs leaps into the limelight this weekend when Great Britain take on the mighty Russians in Liverpool.

The 16-year-old Dynamo School of Gymnastics talent, pictured left, will find herself in high-brow company against a powerful Russian team that includes Olympic, World and European gold medallist Svetlana Khorkina.

It's been a testing time of late for Hobbs, who has had to maintain a high level of training while completing her GCSEs at Cams Hill School.

But the hard work is paying rich dividends for the youngster and Dynamo's director of coaching, Debbie Hampton, is convinced Hobbs can make an impact in the home city of British team captain Beth Tweddle.

"Vanessa is hoping to throw down the gauntlet," said Hampton. "She's very strong on floor, vault and beam and if she goes clean she could unsettle the Russians."

Both teams are using the competition as preparation for the World Championships in California in August.

There they will fight for a place in the top ten to clinch team qualification for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

The result for Great Britain will decide whether or not Hobbs can achieve her ultimate ambition of competing in the world's greatest multi-sports event.

"Should we not make the top ten, Britain can only send an individual to the Olympics and that would be disappointing for Vanessa," said Hampton. "She is Britain's youngest team member and would not get to participate in her dream competition."