The World Cup Finals were held in Thyon, Switzerland. The GB Telemark Ski Team included Alec and Colin Dixon, Timote (Tim) Gough and I for this event. Our injured team-mate, Sissi Compton, turned up to show her support and Irish athlete, Max Screawn, joined us throughout the duration of these races. The racing kicked off with a grueling Classic where I finished in 4th, Alec in 21st, Colin in 20th, Tim in 19th and Max unfortunately did not finish (DNF).
Jasmin Taylor – Photo credits and thanks to 360 / E Bornet 
Alec Dixon – Photo credits and thanks to 360 / E Bornet 
Max Screawn – Photo credits and thanks to 360 / E Bornet 
Timote Gough – Photo credits and thanks to 360 / E Bornet
The following day and subsequently the final World Cup day (as the Parallel Sprint was unfortunately cancelled due to poor weather conditions) was the Sprint event. Here I placed 4th again, Alec in 20th, Colin and Tim unfortunately did not finish (DNF) and Max in 18th place.
Course inspection – Photo credits and thanks to 360 / E Bornet 
On course – Photo credits and thanks to 360 / E Bornet 
Into the loom – Photo credits and thanks to 360 / E Bornet
I finished 5th this season in the overall World Cup ranking; 4th in Classic, 5th in Sprint and 7th in Parallel Sprint. It was not my best season but its all part of the game that is sport!
Magical mountains – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
More magical mountains – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
Then the snow began to fall (hence the cancellation of the last race) as we made our way to the World Championships in Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland. Originally the event was meant to be held in Murren (also Switzerland) but they were eventually unable to hold the event due to reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Home is never too far away! A much needed day off before racing again in Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
We enjoyed a few powder days before racing again, not ideal race preparation but the good news was that everyone was in the same boat.
Having some fun in the powder
The week also included the World Junior Championships (WJC), as well as the World Championship races. The first event was the WJC Sprint where Tim finished 12th and Max in 9th place. The seniors went up to help slip the course; this is part of the true telemark spirit.
Slipping the course for the juniors – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
The first World Championship race was the Sprint, I finished in 7th, Alec in 11th, Colin in 18th, Tim in 19th and Max in 12th place. This is a career best for Max, Colin and Alec Dixon, and from Alec – the best ever finish in a Sprint from a British man on the world stage.
Alec Dixon – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Colin Dixon – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Timote Gough – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
Following the Sprint, we had a qualification run for the Parallel Sprint and here, I qualified in 3rd with a solid run. I eventually finished in 5th after being knocked out by silver medal winner Beatrice Zimmermann (SUI) in the semi-finals.
The Parallel Sprint semi-finals with Beatrice Zimmermann (SUI) – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Into the skate section with Beatrice Zimmermann (SUI) – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Beatrice Zimmermann (SUI) vs. Jasmin Taylor (GBR) – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
Alec finished in 13th, Colin in 17th, Tim in 15th and Max in 14th place. Tim and Max also competed in the WJC placing 11th (Tim, after a huge crash) and 10th (Max, after a close race).
Tim crashing – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Tim still crashing – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Tim crashing a little bit more – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
The last race, the Classic, included two skate sections and really finished off the racing in style. I finished 5th, Alec in 11th and Colin in 12th place, both results are career best finishes in Classic for the boys! In the WJC Tim finished in 12th and Max in 8th respectably.
Colin Dixon on course – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Max Screawn mid-air – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Timote Gough off the jump – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
The face of Max Screawn after the final Classic race – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
These were not quite the results I was hoping for, it has been a difficult season in so many ways but as always it is a pleasure to spend time on snow and even better to compete, especially with all that is going on in the world right now.
Getting ready to start the Classic – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
On course – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Into the loom – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
Our training buddies, the French, are losing their coach Julien Annequin. He has retired and is passing the baton to former racer, Antione Bouvier, who I am sure will also do a great job. Julien, or Pingu as I call him, will be very missed.
Julien Annequin – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Julien Annequin and Antoine Bouvier – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
Now time to rest, and take stock of the season. As always, thank you to everyone making it possible, those people include team and personal sponsors, coaches and team, team-mates, committees, organisers, federations, friends and family.
Wearing Maier Sports (L to R) Alec Dixon, Colin Dixon, Timote Gough, Jasmin Taylor – Photo credits and thanks to FIS Telemark
A special shout out to coach, Sebastien Mansart, and his girls for allowing me to stay with them for several months, and to my boyfriend, Will, for taking a massive risk by joining me this winter.
Will joined us to show his support for the week 
(L to R) William Powell, Timote Gough, Max Screawn, Colin Dixon, Jasmin Taylor, Alec Dixon, Sebastien Mansart
I feel I have learnt so much, both on and off my skis. Who knew there was so much soul searching, work and investment involved in chucking yourself down a mountain.