‘Adventures’ Category

It’s 2022!

It was slightly more complicated getting into Europe for this season. Now with Brexit regulations, you need a VISA and/or resident permit which allows more than 90 days within a 180 day period; extra difficulties alongside COVID restrictions. Speaking of which, I write this from my 7^th day of isolation with COVID-19 but luckily my symptoms haven’t been severe.

Once I made it to Europe, our training camps started like (almost) normal in Hintertux. We were joined by Slovenian athlete, Masa Strakl, who was also my flat-mate before injuring her knee; the worst part of sport. I am missing her and wishing her all the best for a speedy recovery.

(L to R) Masa Strakl (SLO) and Jasmin Taylor (GBR)

We also had athletes from Andorra, Czech Republic and Russia join us, FIS Telemark Social Media Coordinator; Sam Decout and his son joined us for a training camp too.

Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark / Sam Decout

Since winter has kicked in, we have been training in Les Houches and Flaine, conditions for the most part have been brilliant, but recent rain meant a cancellation (potentially postponed) FIS race in Les Houches. It has been so nice to ski at home again after missing out last year, also to be joined by many more of my teammates is a real pleasure.

Thank you to all sponsors for their continued support

My summer consisted of friends’ weddings, training, coaching in alpine and telemark both on the dry slopes and indoor slopes in the UK, and ice hockey amongst other things, so here is a photo dump to summarise…

On a BASI course at the end of last season, exploring the ice caves under the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

I also graduated (finally) from the University of Suffolk with a 1st Class Bachelors Degree in Sport and Exercise Science. A special thank you to Manos Georgiadis, who is a very significant person in my life, this degree would not have been possible without him.

This season you can expect to see Tim Gough, Ben Emsley, Magnus McIntosh, Colin and Alec Dixon, Bonnie Price and Sissi Compton in the World Cup start gate, and potentially a few more familiar faces…

I think my teammates are slightly tired… (L to R) Magnus McIntosh, Max Screawn (IRL), Ben Emsley, Bonnie Price

As always, thank you to all the sponsors, and to everyone making this possible. I am wishing everyone a Happy New Year – let’s see what 2022 brings!

The Final World Cups

Following the races in Germany and Slovenia, the tour moved to Rjukan, Norway. The racing began with 2 days of Sprint races, followed by a team Dual Sprint and an individual Dual Sprint. The weather was superb throughout and the views were spectacular as always.

Rjukan, Norway

On the first day of racing I finished in 6th place. The second day of racing was very interesting for me – after a tricky first run (9th position) and a good second run (2nd position) I jumped up of 5 positions to get a 4th place. That evening we raced the Team Dual Sprint event under the floodlights looking out across at the Norwegian sunset. In the first round, the British Team (myself, Louis Hatchwell and Alistair Cruz) raced a strong Team Germany. Unfortunately, we didn’t go through to the next round but we certainly put up a good fight with a particularly close match from Louis Hatchwell and one very explosive crash from Alistair Cruz!

Jonas Schmid (GER) vs Louis Hatchwell (GBR) (Photo credits and thanks to Motten V Eriksen)

Jonas Schmid (GER) vs Louis Hatchwell (GBR) (Photo credits and thanks to Morten V Eriksen)

Alistair Cruz (GBR) vs ‎Thomas Orlovius (GER)‬(Photo credits and thanks to Motten V Eriksen)

Alistair Cruz (GBR) vs ‎Thomas Orlovius (GER)‬ (Photo credits and thanks to Morten V Eriksen)

The final day in Rjukan ended with (the ‘normal’ individual) Dual Sprint. After a poor qualification run littered with jump penalties (a short course that cannot afford any penalties), I qualified 13th meeting training buddy and fellow competitor Argeline Tan-Bouquet (FRA). I skied fast but Argeline pipped me to the loom and with one less penalty than me, she was too difficult to catch. This resulted in a 9th place finish for me.

The Sprint in Rjukan, Norw ay (Photo credits and thanks to Morten V Eriksen)

After Norway, I returned to Les Houches to empty my suitcase for a final re-packing. At this point I realised that the process of emptying my bag and refilling it hadn’t stopped since before heading to Murren, Switzerland for the first time in early January for the British Championships. I was now returning to Murren for the second time this winter for the World Cup Finals feeling tired but ready to give my best for 3 more days.

The racing kicked off with the Classic, a discipline I don’t consider my strongest yet my World Cup ranking was the best it had ever been. I was lying in 5th place following a 5th place finish in France and a 4th in Spain earlier in the season. The course was set by my coach Sebastien Mansart, it was dynamic with a very intimidating skate at the end. I finished in 7th, stung by penalties but a position good enough to hang onto my new personal best world ranking.

And then comes the Sprint, the best day of my season and probably the best race of my career to date. The run was not perfect (there’s no such thing in fact) and it wasn’t anything way beyond the norm. Everything came together; the speed, just 1 penalty, a clean jump, a strong skate and clear mind – it was good enough for 3rd place after the first run. Knowing my second run is usually always better, I kept it simple and did my best once more and this time it was good enough to finish in 2nd place. That feeling was immense, I felt proud, satisfied, happy and relieved.

(L to R) Jasmin Taylor #2 (GBR), Amelie Reymond #1 (SUI), Beatrice Zimmerman #3 (SUI)

The very final day of racing; the Dual Sprint. I qualified against Theresa Fichtl (GER) and won, then met the eventual winner, Beatrice Zimmerman (SUI) and lost out finishing in 5th place.

My goal for the season was to be more consistent and I finished between 4th and 6th position 11 times, with 1 World Cup podium. My overall World Cup ranking is 5th place and that has been a goal since the beginning of my telemark career and finally achieving it feels awesome.

(L to R) M.C. (Kandahar member and team fan), James French, Sion Bingham, Louis Hatchwell, Jasmin Taylor, Alistair Cruz

Murren, Switzerland

It’s been a fantastic season and I would like to thank everyone that makes it possible: my sponsors, coaches, supporters, parents, family, friends, boyfriend, university, telemark World Cup organisers and committee, GB team-mates and fellow athletes.

Youth Olympic Games

A mix of international telemark skiers; German, Swiss, French, Norwegian and British gathered in Norway to present telemark in the Youth Olympic Games. Our time in Lillehammer began with the Opening Ceremony last Friday night and after 3 days of practice on the ski jumping hill we demonstrated the sport in front of a crowd with 16,500 people.

Practising for the Opening Ceremony

The ski jump, the opening ceremony setting

The Opening Ceremony stage from the top

The Opening Ceremony stage from the bottom

The gang!

Backstage at the YOG

The crowd waiting, our hearts are beginning to pump faster..

The Opening Ceremony! Here come the telemarkers..

We have that after feeling buzz! Magic experience.

Straight after the ceremony we travelled to Oslo arriving late but ready to race the following day in the Norwegian Championships. It was a Sprint race with icy conditions, a good course and great atmosphere. I finished in 2^nd place behind Beatrice Zimmerman (SUI) and in front of Johanna Holzmann (GER).

Norwegian Championship (L to R) Jasmin Taylor GBR, Beatrice Zimmerman SUI, Johanna Holzmann GER, Argeline Tan Bouquet FRA

The following day we raced in the Dual Sprint event, I finished in 4^th place after close races with Johanna Holzmann (GER) and Argeline Tan Bouquet (FRA).

Jasmin Taylor GBR vs Argeline Tan Bouquet FRA

We left straight after the racing on Sunday and travelled back to Lillehammer. The following day we gave telemark taster lessons to the public and even had the chance to train a little bit for ourselves. There was a piste set up for Dual Sprint races which meant we had the opportunity to train the start gate, jump, loom and skate.

Aside from the skiing, we also had a lot of fun sledging, watching hockey, and going to concerts, dinners out and generally just enjoying this unique experience.

Sledging Fun

‘Eat Britain’ soon became a nickname..

Our final task; the telemark show in the centre of Lillehammer – that was epic! The crowds gathered once more and we raced a Dual Sprint on a very straight, flat but fun course. We had to jump over the road which ran through the town centre and wait for passing pedestrians, the music was loud and the energy was electric. You can see the video HERE.

#Lillehammer2016

The Telemark Show in Lillehammer

The Youth Olympic Games have been truly magical, thank you so much to the Norwegian federation for hosting us and to the Swiss for taking care of the international team organisation. I feel I’ve learnt so much, really enjoyed myself and have great memories that I will never forget.

The International YOG Telemark Team

Now I’m travelling back to the UK before heading to France. We head to Germany at the end of the week for the next round of World Cup racing!

World Cup Update | Youth Olympic Games

Since my last post, we’ve had another two rounds of World Cup races. The first set was in Les Contamines, again in France, and the second round was in Spain. In Les Contamines, the races were combined with the World Junior Championships and the British Team had four junior competitors racing with an additional six senior racers.

Racing the Classic in Les Contamines. Thanks and photo credits to Flo Brooks.

Racing the Classic in Les Contamines, France. Thanks and photo credits to Flo Brooks.

The first of our races was the Sprint, unfortunately I didn’t finish but the following race, a Classic, I scored a personal best result in the discipline which was 5^th place.

A travel and training day later, the team arrived in Espot (Spain) ready to race yet another Classic. The course was steep, icy and the jump was fast so our limits were certainly tested. I am pleased to say that I scored another personal best result, this time one better – a 4^th place.

Racing the Classic in Espot, Spain. Thanks and photo credits to Lars Ove Wangensteen Berge.

Another two days of racing remained, I finished in 8^th position in the Sprint after a tough race and in 9^th place on the Dual Sprint. All in all, the races have been another big learning curve with many positives. That’s half the World Cup circuit complete with the next half kicking off again at the end of the month in Germany.

Between then and now, I will be in Lillehammer for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) as part of an international team representing telemark. We will perform in a demonstration event during the opening and closing ceremonies which is an important, positive step for the sport. I have never been to an Olympic Games so to have this opportunity is very special, I am excited to be here, enjoy the atmosphere and to give my best.

Whilst in Norway, we will also have the chance to compete in the Norwegian Championships and do some training, as well as giving telemark taster lessons to the public. Updates are soon to follow!

If you haven’t seen the write up about the British Championships by the East Anglian Daily Times, you can read it HERE.

Pre-season in Saas Fee

Summer was spent off snow in the sunshine doing water sports, which are my favourite activities after telemarking. I spent my holiday learning to surf with Georges’ Surf School in Cornwall, as well as travelling around the UK. I visited Scotland, Birmingham and Manchester for the GB telemark indoor series, which was great fun. In August, I completed my BASI Alpine Level 2 Instructor course so all in all, a brilliant summer!

Learning to Surf with Georges 'Georges' Surf School'

Learning to Surf with George ‘Georges’ Surf School‘

The Gang! BASI Alpine Level 2 Instructor Course

‘The Gang’ on the BASI Alpine Level 2 Instructor Course

The pre-season training is now well under way here in the beautiful, but rather high (3500m) resort of Saas Fee. The past week has been spent with fellow British Telemark racers; Louis Hatchwell, Sion Bingham and Alastair Cruz, Team Coach Sebastien Mansart, and some French Team members. The snow has been excellent and the weather has been spectacular. We have spent our time free skiing and gate training to get the good feelings back, and I’m very excited for the season. Afternoons have been spent roller-skiing, doing fitness training, and ski preparation.

Saas Fee

(Left to Right) Alastair Cruz, Louis Hatchwell, Sion Bingham

In between training blocks, I will continue my studies at ‘University Campus Suffolk‘, as well as seeing friends and family, and enjoying some rest days! I am also working on a video to explain the basics of telemark racing, so keep your eyes peeled for that… Thank you Sarah Ayling-Bate!

Landwood Group – A Brand New Sponsor!

I am delighted to announce Landwood Group have kindly agreed to become a major sponsor. Landwood are a leading northern-based chartered surveyors, asset managers and auctioneers with offices in Manchester, Birmingham, London and Leeds.

Their Managing Director, Mark Bailey’s decision to sponsor me has given a massive boost to my season and gone a long way to covering costs for training and World Cup races.

I am currently at home in Les Houches, training for the next round of World Cup races in Les Contamines next weekend. I have upgraded my equipment with help from telemark expert, Jeremy Fournier. Jeremy has a specialist telemark shop (TAITO TELEMARK) in Chamonix and prepares all my Kneissl ski mountings. As part of my fitness training I spent a day this week hiking near Anncey with telemark friends – Clément Bergeretti (French Team) and Olle Collberg (Swedish Team).

Take a look at our pictures.

I took just over an hour and a half but we climbed over 800 vertical meters. The view from the top of Mont Baron.

Anncey

Olle Collberg from the Swedish Telemark Ski Team enjoying the Scenery.

Les Contamines World Cup next weekend.

Cover boy – Antoine Bouvier from Les Contamines

Scotland!

I flew to Scotland last week for the opening race of the British Indoor Telemark Series, run by the British Team, in Xscape in Breahead, Glasgow. The event was so much fun and really brought out our competitive spirits! I finished 3rd Overall (including males and females) behind the 2 top British boys, Chris Stewart and Jack Harvard Taylor. Sign up here (http://gbtelemark.co.uk/team-calendar/british-indoor-telemark-series-2013/entry-form/) for the next one at Hemel Hempstead’s SnowCentre! Shortly after the race, I took the train up to Aviemore to stay with friends in Boat of Garten, Evie (from www.highlandhomechildcare.com) and Kev (from www.snowboardaviemore.co.uk). I joined up with a few of the guys from the GB Biathlon Team and Mike Dixon (6 x Olympian and commentator for EuroSport) for some roller-ski training which was awesome!

Hill Training with GB Biathlon Team member Rob Sircus and the girls from the Cairngorm Biathlon Club!

Us at the top after a hill session!

Not only that! We went canoeing, mountain biking (with www.backcountrybiking.co.uk), hiking, wild water swimming, climbing, camping on the Moray Coast and even skiing on the 31st July! Check out my photos from the week!

Hiking up to the Snow Patch on Glen Feshie!

Telemark Skiing on the 31st July in Scotland! That may be a first!

The decent after a very fulfilling ski!

Thank you so much to everyone for making it such a great week.

Enjoying the sunshine on the Moray Coast, what a treat!

Aiguille du Midi

We are coming to the end of the season now, this being my second living in the Chamonix valley and I’m ashamed to admit that I have hardly skiied anywhere but Les Houches! Well, this week myself, (GB team-mate) Jack Harvard Taylor, (flat-mate) Madi McKinstry, (training-mate) Clément Bergeretti and (coach) Seb Mansart have changed that. Yesterday we ventured up to the highest point of all – Aiguille du Midi (3843m) and skiied the famous Vallée Blanche.

The Gang – 3843m High!

The Aiguille du Midi Peak

One for the Sponsor’s -Thank you!

I come from Mars

Today was spent climbing on La Joux in Chamonix with Jack Harvard Taylor and Madi McKinstry, which was also really fun and nice to do something completely different.

Here I Come!

Myself, Jack & Madi at the top of the rock!

Having such a good time! Another blog update soon.

Tele-Cross!

Today we had the FreeHeeler Tele-Cross in Les Houches! It was held on the Col de Voza piste with two jumps, plenty of rollers and a flagged giant slalom course. There were lots of Telemarkers from all different levels which made for an interesting competition.

Bib No2

Guillaume Baud and Théo from Les Houches

Men’s Race with Tounet already Jumping!

I’m on the Jump!

The Boy’s in Action!

All the Winner’s from today’s Race with good Prizes!

The women’s race was a clean sweep for Les Houches, I won followed by Chloe Blithe and Naylia. The men’s race was won by Antoine Bouvier (bib 22), Clément Bergeretti (bib 17) and then coach (bib 46) – Seb Mansart.

Yesterday’s French National Cup has been rescheduled for the last weekend of March and the next set of competitions will be World Cup’s in Norway! I will leave you with a small video from training this Saturday.

German Team Training

Day#1 Travel

Last Thursday I flew to Munich airport where I was greeted by Johanna Holzman (World Junior Champion and member of the German Telemark Ski Team) and we traveled back to her hometown oberstoft. When I arrived it was late and everything was dark – we went straight to sleep ready to rise bright and early the next morning.

Day#2 Munich

We got up at 4am and drove to Munich collecting various members of the team as we went. On Friday the German Telemark Team were kitted out with all their brand new clothes for the season and I got the chance to visit Munich!

: Everything Orange!

Later that day we traveled to Stubai Glacier ready for some SKIING!! the next day. The new german team clothing is orange and then everything else after that seemed to also be orange!

Day#3 Stubai Glacier

We got up at 6am and headed up the glacier for some free skiing and gate training. I was so excited to ski again and at first my legs felt a bit shaky but after a run or so I felt all the same Telemark feelings I had from the season before.

Stubai Glacier

Group Photo

Day#4 Stubai and Oberstoft

The second (and final) day of skiing and after a long day we went back to Oberstoft and had a very traditional German meal which was very different for me! It was very tasty though.

German Food!

White Sausages

Day#5 Scooter!

Johanna showed me around her hometown (the first time I had seen it in the light of day) on her scooter! I have had such a nice time, too short but still it reminds me that the season is nearly here!

Enjoy the pictures!

Scooter

Oberstoft

Stanstead Airport

and I’m home again..