Jasmin Taylor, the reigning queen of telemark skiing, is aiming for her first-ever World Championships gold after securing the world number one ranking in March. Despite coming from a county where the highest point is just 128 meters above sea level, Taylor has become a dominant force in the sport, winning both the parallel sprint and overall titles at the World Cup finals.
The 31-year-old from Ipswich, who has previously earned multiple World Championships podium finishes, is preparing for a rigorous winter season with her sights set on the coveted gold medal. Taylor, who has previously secured World Cup victories, believes that true world championship status comes only from winning the World Championships itself.
Having reflected on her past seasons, Taylor is ready to push herself even further, with a new training approach that includes an intense month-long training block instead of the usual intermittent training and travel to glaciers. "It’s daunting, but I’m ready for it," she told, acknowledging the challenge of training at altitude and getting back into peak condition.
Taylor’s journey in telemark skiing began with a $2,000 fundraising effort from a car boot sale, and it has led her to become Britain’s first telemark World Championships medalist. Her determination remains as strong as ever, and despite her past successes, she is motivated by the possibility of improvement and securing her first World Championships gold.
As the World Cup season starts in December in Italy, Taylor will face off against the world’s best, with the World Championships set for March 17-25 in Les Contamines-Montjoie, France. This season, she is focused on hitting her best performance on the day, a stark contrast to the point-collecting strategy of the World Cup. Taylor’s drive and perfectionism continue to fuel her quest for the ultimate prize: World Championships gold.
