A skier since the age of two-and-a-half, Kick had the honour of pulling on the Team GB colours when he was selected to take part in the European Youth Olympic Festival in Austria and Liechtenstein at the end of January.

While a highlight in his career to date, Kick admits that a bout of flu took the gloss of things slightly as he failed to finish both the giant slalom and slalom races — before exiting the mixed team parallel slalom competition before the quarter-finals.

But the 18-year-old has bounced back to full fitness following a spell recovering at home and is ready and raring to hit the slopes in France for the British Championships, which get underway on March 22.

This year’s event holds particular significance for the former Hermitage Academy pupil, who will be competing in the Under-18 category for the final time — and Kick fully intends to bow out in style.

He said: “At the start of the season, I spoke to one of my team and he said that the European Youth Olympics and the British Championships were the biggest races for the season and the aim was to peak for them..

“I did not do particularly well in terms of performances at the Youth Olympics as I was hit by a flu-type thing which affected me throughout the competition but it was still a great event to be a part of.

“But I’m feeling fit at the moment and I hope I can go well in France.

“This is my last year skiing with the Under-18s, so whereas there were skiers older than me last year, this time around we’re the big dogs so to speak.

“It would be good to sign off on a high and put in some medal-winning performances. I have a few more races left this season in Bulgaria and then back in France for some skiing with my dad but the Championships are a big one.” This season has seen Kick dedicate his full attention to skiing, swapping Scotland for the French resort of Les Houches where he has been based since the end of November.

He has already enjoyed plenty of success at junior level, claiming the British Under-16 giant slalom and overall title as well as finishing second in the Under-18 slalom at last year’s British Championships.

With the step up to the senior ranks beckoning next season, Kick insists he is well placed to make the most of his senior career.

He added: “I’ve seen some of the guys move on up and of course it’s another level up, the racing is harder but it’s just about progressing.

“I’ve been training hard in the gym, and pushing things this year. This season is my first one dedicated just to skiing so that has been great fun doing what I love, hopefully next year I can push on again.

“I just need to find some consistency and the speed at the moment. I feel like I’ve got the technical aspects together, it’s just getting every component to click during the race.” As Principal Sponsor of British Ski and Snowboard, Delancey is proud to be able to provide British Athletes with the support and training they require to continue to be a real force in winter sports on a world stage. Follow @teambss or visit www.teambss.org.uk and www.delancey.com.