Following on from Samoens, France, the tour traveled on to Rjukan, Norway for two Sprint events and one Parallel Sprint.
Argeline Tan Bouquet (FRA) and Jasmin Taylor (GBR) – Photo credits to Sebastien Mansart
Day one started well, I was sat in 3rd place after the first run but had a small crash on the second run, ending up in 10th place. Louis Hatchwell skied into 22nd, while Colin Dixon ended up in 23rd position; a personal best for Colin in the Sprint.
Colin Dixon in the hot seat – Photo credits to Julien Annequin Louis Hatchwell inspecting the course – Photo credits to Trym Nygaard Løken
Day two was more of a success, I secured my third podium of the season finishing in 3rd place behind my training buddy, Argeline Tan Bouquet (FRA) and Amelie Wenger Reymond (SUI). Louis Hatchwell finished 24th and Colin Dixon finished in 28th place.
Awaiting the podium in Rjukan, Norway – Photo credits to FIS Telemark Congratulating my training buddy, Argeline Tan Bouquet (FRA) – Photo credits to FIS Telemark The Sprint podium with (L to R) Argeline Tan Bouquet (FRA), Amelie Wenger Reymond (SUI), Jasmin Taylor (GBR) – Photo credits to FIS Telemark
The final day of competition was the Parallel Sprint. This year the rules are slightly different in that your qualification time is now taken into account for the final result. If you make it to the quarter finals, rather than four athletes finishing in joint 5th place, their qualification time is used to determine who is 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th place. This means that the Parallel Sprint has taken a great step in the right direction and results are easier to follow for the viewing public.
On course in Rjukan, Norway – Photo credits to Theresa Fichtl Out of the start gate in Rjukan, Norway – Photo credits to FIS Telemark
I qualified 4th and then finished in 4th place behind Amelie Wenger Reymond (SUI), Beatrice Zimmermann (SUI), Kaja Bjørnstad Konow (NOR). Coincidentally, Louis Hatchwell qualified and finished in 21st, as did Colin Dixon in 32nd place.
Sebastien Mansart enjoying himself – Photo credits to Trym Nygaard Løken
It’s been cool to be mentioned on BBC Ski Sunday each week, who have been following my progress since last season where we filmed a feature together. The show is extremely popular in the UK averaging 1.22 million viewers weekly and it is awesome to see so much British snow sport success.
Jasmin Taylor (GBR) in Rjukan, Norway – Photo credits to FIS Telemark
Unfortunately, the World Cup event in Oberjoch, Germany has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions. I know FIS Telemark are working hard to find a replacement event, all news will be updated here on the main website.
The sun is setting – Photo credits to Colin Dixon
If you wish to catch up on any live-stream footage, you can find that here.