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AAP
AAP
Melissa Woods

Aussie skateboarders keep Olympic hopes on track

Tokyo gold medallist Keegan Palmer is close to nailing down selection for his second Olympic Games. (Jon Buckle/AAP PHOTOS)

The march towards Paris goes on for Australia's skateboarders, with a further five reaching the semi-finals at the Olympic qualifiers in Budapest.

Following the success of teenagers Arisa Trew and Ruby Trew, who advanced to the next round of the women's park event on Thursday, three Australian men matched their feat in Friday's competition. 

Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Keegan Palmer qualified in third spot, and was joined by Keefer Wilson (fifth) and Kieran Woolley (eighth), with the top 16 moving through.

Liv Lovelace skates in Budapest.
After injury wrecked her Tokyo dream, Sydney's Liv Lovelace has set her sights on the Paris Games. (HANDOUT/OIS IOC)

Chloe Covell qualified in top spot for Saturday's semi-finals in the women's street along with ninth-ranked Liv Lovelace, with both out to make their first Olympic Games. 

The Olympic Qualifier Series in Budapest is the last opportunity for athletes to secure valuable points that count towards their global standings.

The top 22 from each discipline and gender will qualify for the Games, with a maximum of three athletes per nation.

Palmer, who collected silver in last month's Shanghai qualification event, looked at ease as he moved through to the next round.

"My line was a little all over the place but I pulled two solid runs together," the 21-year-old said.

"The only thing that we've noticed from judges over these years is they do like a little change up.

"I'm going to try a few new things, but the hardest part is done in the qualifiers; once you get into semis it's a lot easier feeling that's for sure.

"It's pretty exciting. (I'm) really close to being a two-time Olympian already for skateboarding … that's wild. I'm really excited."

Sydney-born Lovelace narrowly missed the Tokyo Olympics due to injury and was pleased to nail her second run after her first missed the mark.

"I'm pretty relieved. I held on for dear life and made the semis, I'm pretty gassed," the 20-year-old said.

"After every trick I'd land I was like, 'Breathe, breathe - and just focus what you're doing and hold on'."

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