Suffolk World Cup champion says grassroots facilities are vital in getting people into snow sports
Jasmine Taylor, two-time winner of the Telemark World Cup title and multiple discipline titles, returned to her old training ground this week
British World Cup telemark skiing champion says grassroots facilities like the dry ski slope in Ipswich, Suffolk Leisure Park, are crucial for developing future sporting talent, especially in a country without mountains.
Jasmine Taylor, who has twice won the overall Telemark World Cup title and multiple discipline titles, returned to her old training turf this week, and when she's not surrounded by snow, she often joins the Suffolk Ski team, The Vikings, to help coach the next generation.
She says facilities like Ipswich’s slope made her career possible.
“I’ve got so many happy memories from skiing up and down this slope,” she said. “If facilities like this didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be doing this.”
Taylor began skiing in Suffolk after completing a school project about mountains.
“I just thought it was the most magical thing ever,” she said. “I did the Saturday lessons each week and then got into the Vikings and just really had the bug for it.”
Now competing internationally, she still returns to help coach young skiers, something she says is about giving back.
“I just love coming to see the kids and helping out if I can,” she said. “When you see them having fun or achieving something they set out to do, that gives you a sense of achievement too.
“When you see them having fun, or they do something well, and they’re happy with themselves, that gives you a sense of achievement as well from the coaching side."
Access matters in a non-snowy country
Although mountains are harder to come by in England, Taylor believes there still needs to be opportunities for people to explore winter sports.
She said increasing access and investment would open doors for more young people.
“The more anyone can experience the better. Just being in the mountains opens your eyes to a whole new world.”
More than medals
Taylor has won the overall Telemark World Cup title twice, as well as individual sprint and classic discipline titles.
But she says the biggest lesson from her sport isn’t about medals, it’s about mindset.
“It gave me an outlet as a teenager,” she said. “That sense of achievement and improvement, that instils confidence.
“You just try to stay as present as possible in a race. If you execute your plan, you feel great. If you don’t, you know where to improve. One way or another you have the way forward.”
For young people considering taking up skiing, her message is simple:
“Just have fun. We only have one life and you might as well go out there and enjoy it.
“You’re outside, that’s great for your brain, and you’re with people trying to ski and have fun together. I think it’s great.”