LAST season may have been the best of his career to date but Semley aerial skier Lloyd Wallace knows it’s all about stepping things up a gear this time around as he aims to close the gap on the very best.

The 20-year-old entered the history books last March when he posted a personal best score to become Britain’s first Europa Cup winner in aerials, while he finished the season second overall.

A bronze medal was also forthcoming at the World Junior Championships but Wallace will turn his attentions to the senior set up this season, with the Europa Cup and World Cup circuits his main focus.

The World Cup represents the top international circuit for competitors, with Wallace rubbing shoulders with world and Olympic champions.

In preparation for this, the former King’s School Bruton pupil has been busy putting the miles in over the summer, learning several new tricks to keep pace with his rivals – although he admits it’s not without it’s difficulties.

“I’ve been doing strength and conditioning work and physically preparing myself for what’s coming this season,” said the University of Bath student.

“With triple twisting triples I need to go higher, I need to get faster, so I’ll probably take a few more hits and a few more crashes. I should put a bit of beef on for a bit of protection!”

“For me, I’m still coming through the ranks in World Cups. It’s an experience season ahead.

“It’s going to be a test for myself to see if I can bring it to the main stage with the big tricks and make it big time with the big guys.

“Last season was a breakthrough one for me but I’ve been training loads this summer, trying to reinforce all the stuff I know and trying to land new tricks.

“Hopefully I’ll be trying to be doing triple twisting triple somersaults for snow this winter, I’ve been practising all summer.”

 

Wallace’s first main competition of the season will be Ruka, Finland with the opening Europa Cup event on December 4.

The only British male skier on the aerials World Cup circuit, he spends a lot of his time training with the Swiss team – an arrangement Wallace believes helps with his development both on and off the snow.

“All the athletes from different countries, we’re all mates. We all go and celebrate with each other and stuff like that,” he added.

“The way I’d describe it I would say is you really want to beat them but you don’t want them to do badly as well.

“It’s quite nice and everyone is welcoming. Obviously I’m the only British guy on the World Cup circuit at the moment.

“The Swiss team who I’m training with now have completely taken me under their wing. So I train with them full time, it’s unbelievable.”

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