BASINGSTOKE alpine skier Laurie Taylor will realise his dream when he takes part in Winter Olympics slalom at PyeongChang, South Korea.

The Winter Olympics opening ceremony is on Friday and Taylor will turn 22 a day later, making this trip a great birthday present.

Taylor from South View, started skiing at the age of six on a dry slope in England in preparation for a family holiday to Canada.

He began ski racing at age nine through the Aldershot Ski Race Club and from then on his ambition was compete in the Winter Games.

As long ago as 2012 he made an appeal through the Gazette for sponsorship to help him reach the pinnacle event of his sport.

He will continue to train hard ahead of the slalom which takes place on February 22 with his first run at 1.15am GMT and the medal run at 4.45am GMT.

Taylor will be racing alongside fellow British star Dave Ryding.

Looking ahead to the racing in the South Korea, Taylor said: “I am kid who just likes skiing and I am so proud to say I’ll be competing at the Winter Olympics. It is a dream come true for me and I cannot wait.”

The Basingstoke skier completed in the World Championships last year and came 33rd in the slalom at St Moritz and then finished second in the British Championships, behind Ryding.

This season he has been in action on the Europa Cup and World Cup circuit.

Taylor has pulled on the Team GB colours before in the slalom at the 2013 European Youth Olympic Festival in Brasov.