SEMLEY’S Lloyd Wallace insists his dream of following in his parents’ footsteps by competing at the Winter Olympics is looking like becoming reality after a breakthrough year.

The rising 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.

And after a dream season, Lloyd believes he is well on his way to following suit.

“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.”

Wallace took up the sport in 2009 and was trained solely by his father for the first few years before they struck a deal with the Swiss Aerial Team.

And Wallace accepts his outstanding year would not have been possible had it not been for his parents’ support.

“Their background in the sport has helped me a lot because there is no British coach or any team behind us,” he added.

“My dad coached me for the first few years before we were able to strike a deal with the Swiss team, which was unbelievable because I don’t think I would be where I am now if it wasn’t for my parents.”

Wallace 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.

Being able to train with a top European team has helped Wallace’s progression immensely and he has his eyes set on the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

He said: “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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