Alpine skier Max Baggio insists its full steam ahead as he prepares to dedicate all his energy to his first full-time season on the slopes.
The 18-year-old has long been making a name for himself on the junior circuit, claiming the British Under-18 Downhill title in 2013.
That year proved to be one to remember with Baggio also nominated as Team GB’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Romania before earning selection for the Europa Cup squad for the 2013/2014 season.
A multiple winner at the English Alpine Championships, the Harpenden-born skier stepped things up to finish third at this year’s British Championships – all the while trying to juggle skiing with school commitments.
But with his studies finally at an end, Baggio has his sights solely on results on the snow.
Dave Ryding flew the flag solo for British male alpine skiers at the Sochi Olympics earlier this year, finishing 17th in the slalom, although Baggio intends to add his name to the list come PyeongChang 2018.
“Last season was good, I did well in the British Championships but I also had school so it made it difficult to juggle both competing and studies,” said Baggio.
“It was hard because I would be home one week, away the next competing and then come back and have to play catch up.
“I recently finished my studies so this will be my first full year and I can focus solely on competing and skiing and I’m hoping for good things.
“We had a good training block in Chile over the summer, experiencing different slopes and then a few races at the end which I did well in.
“The Olympics was inspiring, I took a lot from watching Dave Ryding and it shows that as a nation we can compete at the top level and that’s where I want to be in four years.
“My main goals for the coming season are to improve my world ranking and points and then hopefully qualify for the World Junior Championships and do well in that.”
© Sportsbeat 2014