REBECCA O’Neill has emerged as Britain’s hottest skiing prospect and is all set to take on the sport full-time after a rapid rise in the sport.

The Walderslade teenager heads to Austria at the end of the year looking to continue her quest to be the nation’s number one skier and take on the world’s best.

And, at just 18, she has plenty of years to achieve her goals in a sport that she just can’t get enough of.

"Skiing has its ups and downs but I don’t think I could live without it," she said.

"The feeling I get when I’m skiing, when you’re up in the mountains, is really nice."

Rebecca has amassed an impressive collection of trophies during her years as a junior – for which she still has two more years to go – and is already challenging her senior compatriots.

"I’ve been catching up with a lot of the girls and I’m not doing it full-time yet," she said.

"Next year, I’m going for 40 points in the slalom. I’m currently third best in GB for the junior age category and seventh best out of the seniors."

The points process is complex. It involves a mathematical formula which takes into account a range of factors and benefits those that have been skiing long-term.

With women skiers not expected to peak until they’re around 27, Rebecca has plenty of time to show what she’s capable of.

She said: "I’m looking long-term at my skiing career. I’ve got a long time yet and I’ll review my situation year after year.

"My slalom has improved and it’s been shocking everyone. I’ve gone from 116 points to 69 and in the Giant Slalom from 130 to 95."

After completing her exams at The Rochester Grammar School, she is now knuckling down to a gruelling training regime in preparation for her trip to Austria.

She said: "I’ve got a private coach called Eric Hartzell. He makes me feel guilty if there’s anything that I can’t do. When I come home from the gym, I’m so stiff.

"Going around the course for one minute is knackering. It doesn’t seem long but you’re working so hard. I now find it a lot easier."

Rebecca will be based at her family’s ski academy in Rhadstadt where she will be under the guidance of coach Christian Perner.

"He’s great, really good," said Rebecca. "I get on with him so well and have improved so much.

"I personally want to train with Christian for as long as possible and get so good that they’ll have to bring me into the (England) team."

Rebecca is taking a different route to many young hopefuls, who have opted to go down the 'official’ road to the national side which costs £1,000.

Her reluctance to be pushed into a certain direction shows the strong will of the skier who is confident of making the grade on her own terms.

"I was in the England team as a junior for four years as a child and was the top British girl," she said.

"I got selected onto the team but in two years with them, I didn’t improve at all.

"I only had British training before but, at a certain point, you need top level coaching and the Austrians are the top."

Rebecca looks to have bright future ahead of her.

All the signs are there that she’s more than capable of achieving her dream of making the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.