Last week, we were lucky enough to compete in Plaine Joux, Passy, France. This event was a replacement for the lost races in Krvavec, Slovenia and St Gervais, France.
Plaine Joux, Passy – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Plaine Joux, Passy – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Plaine Joux, Passy – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
In my blogs, I mainly report the British perspective, but for more information you can visit FIS Telemark.
Thank you to Plaine Joux, Passy for hosting this event and all the sponsors involved – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
I recently recorded a podcast with Josh Madsen from Freeheel Life, you can listen to that HERE. In The Snow recently published an article HERE as well as Ski Press HERE, both articles are linked to our new team sponsorship with Maier Sports.
The loom in Plaine Joux, Passy – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
I was happy to be joined by 5 of my team-mates; Sissi Compton and Louis Blyth (both of them competing in their first World Cup events), Alec and Colin Dixon, and Tim Gough. Max Screawn, from Ireland, is linked to our training program and we consider him as one of us.
Max Screawn (IRL) on course – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Max Screawn (IRL) – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
The event kicked off with a Sprint race. I finished 5th, Sissi finished in 18th, Louis in 25th, Alec in 23rd and Tim 22nd in place. Max skied well and placed 16th which is a career best.
Louis Blyth (GBR) on course – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Tim Gough (GBR) in some difficulty but still on course – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
The following day, another Sprint race, was slightly more complicated with poor weather conditions. We only managed to race the first run, carrying over the second run to the third day. That meant finishing the Sprint race before commencing the Classic later that day. I suppose no one said it would be easy…
Alec Dixon (GBR) – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Jasmin Taylor (GBR) in the loom – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Sissi Compton (GBR) on course – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Colin Dixon (GBR) – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
I finished 8th in the Sprint, after collecting too many penalties, Sissi was 18th, unfortunately Louis was disqualified for missing a gate, Colin was 25th, Alec was 24th, Tim was 19th (another career best) and Max finished 21st.
Thank you to Leggett Immobilier for supporting GB Telemark
The Classic was more positive; I finished 4th, Sissi in 20th, Colin 23rd, Alec in 22nd, Tim in 20th, and Max in 17th place. The World Cup Classic is quite a shock to the system, it takes many years to learn pace and to get the balance between going for it and not burning out too soon.
Bib 1 on course – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
On course – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
The final event, another Classic; I finished 6th, again too many penalties from me, Sissi unfortunately did not finish (DNF), Louis in 25th, Colin in 29th, Alec in 27th, Tim in 24th and Max in 23rd place.
On course – Photo credit and thanks to Guillaume Borga Photography 
Bib 1 – Photo credit and thanks to Guillaume Borga Photography
Just a special thanks to our coach; Sebastien Mansart, who played a massive role in putting on these replacement races in such a short space of time. He is either a genius or mad… or maybe both!
Coach of the GB Telemark Ski Team; Sebastien Mansart – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Sebastien Mansart, wearing Maier Sports – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
It is not quite the set of results I wished for but it is a pleasure to be on the slopes, with my team-mates and competitors, competing none-the-less. Thank you to everyone for the continued support and for making it possible.
Forerunner 1; Zian Mansart – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Forerunner 2; Solenn Mansart – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark 
Forerunner 3; Lenaig Mansart – Photo credit and thanks to FIS Telemark
Now time to work in the ESF for a few weeks, before more training and an action packed March with World Cup Finals, World Junior Championships and the World Championships, all of which are in Switzerland.