Successful British Telemark Championships attract new wintersports talent

The town of Rauris, located 100 kilometers south of Salzburg received a huge amount of snowfall prior to the racing which provided all the participants with five days superb powder skiing both on and off-piste before racing commenced the following week.

This year the championships were attended by a large number of military personnel, from all three services, alongside civilians and representatives from the Federation International du Ski (FIS), British Association of Snowsports Instructors (BASI) and Snowsport England (SSE).

With a whole range of abilities from complete beginners through to World Cup racers, the championships where split into two categories: 'Development' and 'Championship' races - with each set of races involving a Giant Slalom, Telemark Sprint and Classic race. Also for the second year running, a mountain race was held - involving over 500 meters of accent followed by a long technical downhill section.

According to Andrew Clarke, British Telemark Team captain, this year's racing was more competitive than ever with both men and women competing for top spots on the podium. For the duration of the races, bad visibility and fresh snow made for challenging conditions with athletes battling it out on the notoriously steep Kreuzbodon piste for podium places. After three very tightly fought races the overall British Championship titles were awarded to Jasmin Taylor and Jack Harvard Taylor both National team athletes sponsored by leading ski manufacturer - Kneissl.

Chairman of the organising committee, Brigadier Richard Haldenby commented, "With the standard of competition continually improving - this year we have seen an increase in the number of younger participants taking part in the championships which is very exciting to watch. We hope the championship, as it has done in the past, will continue to provide and nurture top level athletes who will go onto selection for the British National team".

2012 Overall results:

Mens:

1^st         Jack Harvard Taylor

2^nd        Chris Stewart

3^rd        Andrew Clarke

Ladies:

1^st         Jasmin Taylor

2^nd        Anna Morrissey

3^rd        Alison Morrissey

 

Unfortunately due to more heavy snowfall after the Championships the organisers of the British FIS Telemark World Cup took the decision to cancel the races in Rauris because of the unsafe conditions.

 

If you'd like more information about the British Telemark Ski Team, or to schedule an interview, please contact British Telemark press officer - Jack Harvard Taylor.

 

Notes to Editor:

Telemark skiing (also known as free heel skiing) is a form of skiing using the Telemark turn. Unlike alpine skiing equipment, the skis used for telemarking either have a binding that only connects the boot to the ski at the toes, just as in cross-country skiing, or may be released to only connect there.

The Telemark turn came to the attention of the Norwegian public in 1868, when Sondre Norheim took part in a ski jumping competition. Norheim's technique of fluid turns soon dominated skiing, and in Norway it continued to do well into the next century. Starting in the 1910s, newer techniques based on the stem gradually replaced Telemark in the Alpine countries. Newer techniques were easier to master and enabled shorter turns better suited for steeper alpine terrain and skiing downhill.  Wikipedia

The Army Telemark Ski Association (ATSA) was set up in 2007 to promote Telemark skiing at all levels within the British Army. The Championships are held in January every year and are open to all services and UK civilians making them the Open British Telemark Championships. http://www.awsa.org.uk/discipline/telemark/