LLOYD Wallace is inching closer to qualifying for the Winter Olympics after a breakthrough year.

The rising Semley star of British aerial skiing has finished second in the Europa Cup series and secured a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships since the turn of the year.

The sport is in the 20-year-old’s blood as his dad Robin took part in the 1988 Olympics and mum Jilly Curry represented Great Britain at the 1992 and 1994 games, while his 18-year-old sister Elodie also competes.

“It was an amazing year; it was kind of my breakthrough year,” he said. “It was a pretty fantastic year and towards the end of it I got to a major final at the World Cup. It proved that the hard work is paying off.

“I finished second in the Europa Cup standings and became the first person from the UK to win one of the stages which was fantastic.

“The last year has entirely been above my expectations. I was hoping to finish in the top 18 and to end up getting my first win and finishing second overall was unbelievable.

“I am really proud of what I have achieved and it has given me more motivation to work even harder to make sure I can compete with the very best.”

He has just returned from a five-week training camp in Switzerland and will be heading back there in another two weeks’ time with his sister, remaining there until September.

Wallace says he has eyes firmly on the the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

He added: “I get used to living out of a bag but the team in Switzerland have really adopted me and they are such a great group of guys and a great group of athletes. It is a great environment to work in.

“I am working towards the Winter Olympics but I set myself shorter term goals. So I am looking at the World Cup next year and then the World Championships in 2017 which would then hopefully get me to the Winter Olympics in 2018.”

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