ALPINE ski racer Laurie Taylor has set his sights on representing Great Britain at the next Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi, Russia, in 2014.

The 16-year-old, who lives in South View, won a hat-trick of medals in British Championship skiing picking up a silver in the Giant Slalom as well as well as picking bronze medals for all disciplines and Super G.

Taylor is currently focussed on being selected for GB for the Winter Youth Olympics to be held in Brasov, Romania.

There are only four places up for grabs at the event, with the final selection being made in January ahead of the event a month later. The teenager has a Basingstoke Sports Trust Scholarship for the Sports Centre and away from Hampshire he trains on the slopes of France and New Zealand.

He races in the FIS Cup against racers aged under-21, which includes some of the young World Cup stars.

As well as skiing, the youngster tries to pay his way by washing dishes while in France and helping out the caretaker with jobs around the ski lodge in New Zealand.

Taylor said: “My parents have made huge sacrifices for me to be able to get where I am today.

“However, moving to a full time programme is the reason I now need sponsorship as I would like to train along the Austrian and German ski teams.”

Anyone who is willing to sponsor a future Winter Olympian can contact Taylor on 01256 336606.