Some might be daunted at the prospect of being the next big thing in sport, but for Surbiton High School teenager Darcie Mead it is only an inspiration.

The 14-year-old ski racer has been dubbed the next Chemmy Alcott after claiming a clean sweep of British and English Alpine Championship titles in April.

Mead, like her Twickenham idol, is currently the British number one in her age group and will step up into the International Ski Federation (FIS) junior ranks this winter.

But, having combined 26 weeks on the slopes this winter with studying for her GCSEs, the Team Evolution star says she is ready to live up to great expectations.

“I think it is an honour to be compared to her particularly as she has accomplished so much,” she said.

“It is tough to be a top skier for Great Britain, but she has shown it can be done. She is inspirational.

“It is going to be even harder when I get into the juniors because I’ll be racing against people older than me, but last year showed the hard work pays off.

“I do hope I can be the next top British ski racer, but hopefully I can be the first Darcie Mead rather than the next Chemmy.”

Mead only took up the sport six years ago having been encouraged to ski as a year three student at Surbiton High School - where Alcott also got the skiing bug.

Her progress has taken off since teaming up with Austria-based Team Evolution, where she is able to combine her studies with time on the slopes.

“Last season went surprisingly well, much better than expected. Triaging with Evolution has made a big difference,” she added.

“My school have been really supportive and the facilities in Austria mean I’m able to do school work and also have teachers come and teach us.”

Mead, currently ranked in the world’s top 15, is focused on reaching the top and has little time for anything outside of school and skiing.

She has taken advice from Alcott and Kingston’s GB skier Ed Drake on her future and will spend four weeks skiing in Chile to keep on track.

And the youngster admits a first taste of international racing this winter has given her a thirst for more.

“I started actually racing when I was 12 but I think after this year I’ve realised skiing is what I want to do as a career,” she said.