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Stylist Magazine’ Fair Game Awards with Adidas

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

Before Christmas last year, Neil Mcquoid (from Racer-Ready Magazine) sent me an application to enter Stylist Magazine‘s “Fair Game Awards” (a campaign to raise awareness in women’s sport). The application involved explaining my story and trying to convince them why to choose me. By winning, we would receive a £2000 bursary and kit from Adidas, an on-going relationship for many years to come with Stylist Magazine, as well as many other great things like; photos, lunch and business cards – see www.moo.com for those! Anyway, Ian Findlay from SnowSport England and Dave Edwards from BSS both received an email from me asking for a governing body reference. I sent it to both of them thinking I’d use the first one that came back as I’m pushed for time but they were both very punctual and I ended up sending 2 applications.

Time passed and then earlier in the season, I had a phone call from Stylist Magazine explaining that I had won! It’s such an incredible honor and I feel so proud to have been chosen (as well as 5 other girls – who you can see below). We were all told that there were 1000′s of applicants which makes it all even more overwhelming.

You can see my section of the article from the website below as well as the full article’s link here > http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/fair-game/our-fair-game-campaign-crosses-the-finish-line#image-rotator-1

Thank you so much to Stylist Magazine and Adidas for selecting me as well as Neil, Ian and Dave.

Meet the winners of our Fair Game awards

Introducing the five athletes chosen to receive a £2,000 bursary from adidas

From left: Fair Game judge Guin Batten from the Youth Sport Trust (which supported Stylist‘s Fair Game bursary), Stylist acting editor Susan Riley, Jasmin, Fran, Nekoda, Nicky Waller from Adidas and Adele (Alex was away training)

Fair Game Winners portraits by David Woolfall for Stylist

Jasmin Taylor, 19, Telemark skier

On Twitter: @jasmintaylor

ABOVE: Jasmin at the Stylist Fair Game lunch

Jasmin lives in Chamonix, France, between December and April. She is the Overall French Cup telemark champion (where the heel lifts off the ski) and hopes her discipline will become an Olympic sport. “Off-season I work as a personal trainer to cover my flight costs. This bursary will take some pressure off.”

ABOVE AND BELOW: Jasmin skiing and collecting her medal on the podium

We sent in a timeline of photo’s but these are the 2 that Stylist Magazine chose to use (even though it’s from Ski-Cross, but it doesn’t matter!)

Overall French Cup Champion!

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

It’s been such a sunny and lovely weekend in Tignes, the most perfect way to end the racing season. Saturday, we had the French Championship in the Dual Sprint which also counted for French Cup league points (along with all the other French Cups) I qualified in the same position that I finished the day’s racing with – 1st Junior and 2nd Overall. This picture is from the French Cup podium (as I’m not French – I can’t declare that I’m French Champion) makes sense!

Junior Podium with Kaline Osaki and Argeline Tan-Bouquet from the French Team

The Race Piste

Today was the final race of the season and everyone dressed up to celebrate! Such a nice atmosphere and we even had some new additions to the GB Team this weekend which was great! My team-mate Anna Morrisey did well too and finished with two 3rd places in her category, an awesome weekend for the Brits!

That last Race feeling…

In today’s Sprint condition’s were slushy but I made it down in 3rd position in my age group and secured the Overall League French Cup victory! I am so pleased and feels good to have something to show for all the work.

The League French Cup Podium with 2 of my favourite people ever! 2) Laura Grenier-Soliget & 3) Madi McKinstry

The League French Cup Podium with 2 of my favorite people ever! 2) Laura Grenier-Soliget & 3) Madi McKinstry

Celebrating my Win!

Can’t believe it’s all over! Had a wicked time. Thank you so much to my sponsors, coach, team, club and everyone who has helped me along the way!

Aiguille du Midi

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

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 all, none of it possible without 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.

French Cup in Les Houches

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

This week we have had a lot of snow in Les Houches so there was talk of the race being cancelled, however, we managed to pull it off but decided to run a giant slalom. It was really nice to have a giant slalom race again since it’s been removed from the World Cup circuit. Anyway, this was the race hill today – rather foggy but the snow was brilliant.

Foggy Race Hill

The Gang!

Female Podium from today!

I was the Overall female winner from today and first run I had the 3rd fastest time (before penalty, I don’t know the standings after?) including the boys so I am pleased with my giant slalom progression this season. Jack Harvard Taylor also finished 3rd in his category today – so a good day for Telemark Team GB. One more set of races in Tignes to go!

Now for some powder!!

French Championships in Val D’Allos

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

Just returned back to Les Houches after travelling to Val D’Allos in the southern Alps for the French Championships. We arrived the night before the race, after getting lost, around 2:30am - unfortunately for us, we had a rather long classic to deal with! I was feeling a bit dizzy before hand, so felt happy just to make it to the finish line – I was 3rd junior and 4th overall.

Later that day we had the qualification run for the duel sprint, which was cancelled in the end due to bad weather – so we will all have to wait until Tignes (the last race of the season) until we can continue with the race.

Racer’s Re-Fueling!

Waiting for the Jump Inspection!

Qualification Run

Junior Podium! 1) Argeline 2) Kaline 3) Me

Next Stop! Les Houches French Cup this Sunday!

All photo’s courtesy of Telemark-France, Thank you!

World Championships!

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

Just arrived back in Les Houches after competing in my first ever World Championships in Espot, Spain. The US Team and I arrived in Barcelona straight from Oslo (World Finals) and feeling tired and needing some recuperation we enjoy the sun just before yet another day of travel on the way to Espot.

With the USA Telemark in Barcelona enjoying life!

Traveling with the German, USA and Canadian Team to Espot

The World Championships (as do the World Cups) kick-off with the Opening Ceremony, but this time it was even better. All the nations gathered by their flags only to be led through the village by drummers and various another costumes to watch a massive firework display, music and to be introduced one nation at a time. Magic moments!

Just before Opening Ceremony started in Espot

Loving Life!

Following the US Team in procession!

The racing began with the Classic and unfortunately, I didn’t finish but it gave me chance to recover (slightly) and prepare myself for the qualification the next day. In the qualification we had 2 runs to qualify (top 8 qualify and first run I was in 10th – wasn’t too pleased, so tried to re-focus for run 2 and managed to qualify! I was in 8th and was paired with Amelie Reymond (World Champion). She won, but it was still good experience for me.

The following day was the Team Duel Sprint and the British were paired with the French Team. I raced Laura Grenier-Soliget (good friend and room-mate for the week), she won the first run and I won the second, but overall the french were too strong and GB were knocked out.

Tough Competition! Racing Laura Grenier-Soliget from France

The last race was the Sprint, we had bad weather conditions and personally I was feeling exhausted. Nearly 3 weeks of solid racing and traveling had taken their tole! I did my very best but messy skiing cost me too many penalty’s. I wish I could have finished on more of a high but I have to see the bigger picture and remember the good results, the struggles from this season, the amazing people and great memories that come with it. Now for some French Cups, Championships, training, fun and much needed rest!

Top 5 in World Cup finals!

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

The Telemark World Cup tour moved from Rjukan to Geilo this week, both in Norway, and I have recorded my best results in World Cup to date. The first of the 3 races was the Sprint. I was 5th on the first run and then started to feel poorly (stomach ache) but managed to pull through just in time for the second run. I was still at the bottom of the run when the first girl came down. Having just made it, I focused and gave it everything – I wasn’t feeling too strong but held on and managed to keep my place finishing in overall 5th position.

Racing in the Night Sprint

Approaching the Jump

In World Cup, the first 3 are on the podium but the first 6 are awarded prizes. The photo’s below are from the beginning of the Prize giving ceremony and I was awarded a Geilo Telemark knife for 5th place.

Just before Prize giving Ceremony

Geilo World Cup Knife!

The second of the 3 races was the Classic, the discipline I find the most difficult. I wasn’t so clean when skiing but gave all my energy and finished in 7th position, which is a personal best in the Classic for me.

Johanna Holzman & Laura Grenier-Soliget

The third race, of today, was the Duel Sprint. The course was a much straighter set on a flatter hill and the field were close in time. I tried my best, but wasn’t feeling so fresh in qualification this morning and could only manage 9th. All in all, 3 good days of racing and experience.

Our View from the Race Hill

Duel Sprint Start!

Now we are all heading to Spain (Espot) for the World Championships. I will be travelling across with the American Team and look forward to joining some GB team mates and everyone else there!

Rjukan!

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

Madi (USA Telemark Team member) and I arrived in Rjukan after a long day travelling from Geneva, Switzerland. First day was training and qualification for the following day of the Duel Sprint World Cup race. I qualified in 8th position (only top 8 qualify) which meant I would be racing Sigrid Rykhus the following day, who eventually went on to win. I did my best but she was too strong and I was knocked out. I finished in 5th position.

Race Hill!

Telemark Friends!

Later that day, we had qualification for the following day (another Duel Sprint). I am ranked 9th for FIS points and was therefore paired with a Swiss who is ranked 8th. The winner of the race would go on to qualify and she won round one. I was ahead second run and hoping to close the gap, but unfortunately I had collected too many gate penalty’s and I was disqualified. All good experience though and I am having such a good time!

Rjukan Race Hill from the town at the bottom!

Johanna and Nina waiting at the top to start!

Tomorrow I travel with the American Team to meet the other World Cup Telemark racer’s in Geilo (Norway) for World Cup Finals!

Tele-Cross!

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

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 in the Men’s Race!

Men’s Race with Tounet already Jumping!

I’m on the Jump!

The Boy’s in Action! (Left>Right) Antoine, Clém, Seb and Théo in the Men’s Final

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.

Chamonix World Cup & World Junior Championships

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Jasmin Taylor

The first of the two races was a night Sprint race in Chamonix on Saturday. I skied well on my first run until I sat back in the loom and fell just before the skating section – my time was still not bad considering but I felt disappointed about a silly mistake. The second run was a very wide set course and I lost my rhythm after a wobbly jump landing. All in all, it’s fair to say I was not happy with my performance but tried to put it behind me ready for the next day.

The second day was a Classic in Les Houches (my home mountain) and the weather, snow and course were brilliant. I did my best but lack of sleep, putting too much pressure on myself and lack of fitness (due to chest and throat infection earlier in the season) took it’s toll and yet again, I felt disappointed with my skiing. It wasn’t all bad, there was a good turn out from the British Telemark Ski Team with some of our best racers including: Jack Harvard Taylor, Andrew Clarke, Anna Morrissey, Chris Stewart and a couple of new faces to our team too – as well as Adrian Perry on duty as TD for the first time.

1)Germany 2)France 3)Norway 4)Great Britain 5)Norway 6)United States of America

In the end, my results were:

Chamonix Sprint
World Cup Result – 9th
World Junior Result – 5th

Les Houches Classic
World Cup Result – 10th
World Junior Result – 4th

What now? I return home to Ipswich for a few days off, see my friends and family. I’ve been feeling homesick for a while now so a trip home is just what the coach orders. Next race? This Saturday a French National Cup in Les Houches.

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