5 elite athletes chosen to represent Great Britain on the world stage at one of the toughest, physically demanding winter sports.
The British Telemark Ski Team today announced the 5 world-class athletes who will be competing at the 2011/12 Telemark World Cup with a further 2 athletes selected for the World Cup Development Team.
Selection took place on the Hintertux Gletscher, Austria during the second week of October. With a large turn-out the triallists were put through their skiing paces with tests to determine their ability with particular focus on the fundamentals required to be a successful World Cup telemark racer. “Conditions at Hintertux have been fantastic” said Jack Harvard-Taylor, one of the athletes selected to ski on this season’s World Cup race team which will also feature 2 new athletes to the women’s team including ex-alpine racer Jasmin Taylor who said she was delighted to have made the cut.
The 2011/12 British Telemark Squad will feature the following athletes:
World Cup Team
Andrew Clarke – Plymouth, Devon
Jack Harvard Taylor – Virginia Water, Surrey
Ian Roberts - Brighton, Sussex
Jasmin Taylor - Ipswich, Suffolk
Anna Morrissey - Beith, Ayrshire
World Cup Development Team
Hugh Long - Ontario, Canada
Colin Shepherd - Perth, Perthshire
Whilst previous team members, including the team’s vice-captain, unable to attend the trials it is hoped that they will trial under testing conditions during the British Championships in Rauris, Austria in January 2012. Team Captain Andrew Clarke reported that it was a good turn out but urged more telemark skiers from the UK to participate in the British Championships and unleash their potential and let the selection committee decide; participation at the British Championships is mandatory for anyone wishing to be selected to trial for the British Team.
The coming season the team will be taking part in a series of promotional events around the UK including appearances at the British Ski and Board Show at Earls Court. There is also a chance to mix with the athletes and hear from an esteemed record breaking mountaineer at the Team’s pre-season fundraiser to be held in Wimbledon on 22 Oct, more details are available from Cocktails with the British Team. There is a great prize line up from a year of free Meteor Meet and Greet Airport Parking to fabulous skiing prizes. We hope to see you there.
With an impressive last season the team hopes to build on that, with athletes breaking convincingly into the top 15. Confirmed FIS World Cup venues next season are Slovenia, Austria, Norway, USA, France and Spain. “With telemark skiing on the up this is an exciting time for the British Team as we look to introduce the sport into the Winter Olympics in the future” said Clarke who is also the FIS Telemark Chairman, “it really is exciting times”.
If you’d like more information about the team, would like to come and see us compete, or to schedule an interview, please contact the GB Telemark Communications Director Jack Harvard Taylor.
Six elite athletes chosen to represent Great Britain on the world stage at one of the toughest, physically demanding winter sports.
The British Telemark Ski Team today announced the six world-class athletes who will be competing at the 2010/11 Telemark World Cup.
Selection took place in Hintertux, Austria during the last weekend of August. With a large turn-out the participants were put through their paces navigating their way down the steep, icy terrain on the glacier. Vice Team Captain Chris Wotton said, “Despite the difficult conditions and problems with timing equipment, all the trialists performed well over the four days” With minus 15C on the glacier and high winds, participants fought hard against the elements as they battled it out for a place on the national team.
The 2010/11 British Telemark World Cup Team consists of the following six athletes:
Andrew Clarke – Plymouth, Devon
Jack Harvard Taylor – Virginia Water, Surrey
The team will be taking part in a series of promotional events around the UK. They will be promoting the sport whilst working with lead sponsor Mercedes - Benz UK before the competitive season kicks-off in January with the first World Cup event held in Germany. With an impressive last season the team hopes to build on that, with athletes achieving consistent top 25 results. Other confirmed FIS (Federation International du Ski) World Cup venues are Switzerland, Norway and Spain. “With telemark skiing on the up this is an exciting time for the British Team as we look to introduce the sport into the Winter Olympics in the future” said recently appointed FIS Telemark Chairman and British Team Captain, Andrew Clarke.
If you’d like more information about the team, or to schedule an interview, please contact Jack Harvard Taylor by email here
