It's officially Australia's biggest Winter Olympics team and by the conclusion of next month's Games it may well be the most successful.

The AOC on Thursday announced a group of 56 athletes to represent Australia at the Sochi Winter Olympics, starting on February 7.

Jana Pittman (R), pictured with Astrid Radjenovic, joins Paul Narracott as the only Australian to compete in both the summer and winter Olympics. Credit:Getty Images

With another two athletes to come from alpine disciplines following appeals and an expected re-allocation of a quota spot in biathlon the team may reach 59.

The team easily tops the 40-athlete squads from the past two Games.