Jack Harvard Taylor

2012 British Champion

Jack Harvard Taylor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:21:45 +0000

Finishing off the British Telemark Championships in Rauris with the Telemark Classic, I finished in second place – just after Chris Stewart. This led to me finishing the Championships with the overall British title.

Following on after the British Championships was the British hosted FIS Telemark World Cup, and the first of the 2011/12 season. Unfortunately due to large quantities of wet snow-fall, the race jury had to call off both Sprint races because of safety concerns.

British Championship GS

Jack Harvard Taylor — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:29:58 +0000

Yesterday the 2012 British Telemark Championships commenced with the first of the three races – the giant slalom. With poor light, bad visibility and 4cm of fresh snow everyone knew it was going to be a challenging day, not only for the racers but also the hard-working hill crew.

Starting bib number 15 for my first run, I was the last of the top racers fighting for places on the podium. Battling down the first run I finished with the leading time which gave me confidence as I went into my second run. Unlike the World Cup, the British Championships have a very different feel. Instead of racing for places and FIS points, here we are racing against our friends and peers which always makes things very exciting – however there is always a real sense of camaraderie at the start line and this is what I believe makes telemark racing so special.

Finishing my second run with another respectable time just behind Chris Wotton I was pleased to take silver medal, but disappointed having received a gate penalty which knocked me off the top spot.

After a pretty slack rest day today, we will be up early tomorrow for the Telemark Sprint – my favourite of the three telemark events. Involving GS gates, jump, loom and skate – this race will really test competitiors ability to keep a cool head on the steep, icy Kreuzbodon piste.Thanks to C-H from the ATSA for taking these great photos!

British Telemark Championships – Rauris, Austria

Jack Harvard Taylor — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:51:15 +0000

On Saturday 7th January I made the journey across to Rauris in Austria from Chamonix for the British Telemark Championships run by the British Army. To my joy, we found powder on the mountain so unfortunatly the race skis had to wait a few days while we skied powder..

Here is some of the action:

Back soon with a proper update on things!

Col du Belvedere on Boxing Day

Jack Harvard Taylor — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:57:59 +0000

Here is just a short video of some of my exploits on Boxing Day (26th Dec). Accompanied by Guy Copner, we ascended the Col du Belvedere on skins from the top of the Index at Flegere. Going via Lac Blanc we arrived at the top (2780m) before dropping down into the Berard Valley.

Because of all the fresh snow and the risk of slipping, we rappelled the first 30m of the narrow couloir before pulling the rope and enjoying 1800m of beautiful, fresh north facing powder!

Starting point: Flégère cable car

Height difference: 680m up, 1800m down

Grade: AD, 45°

Timing: 4-5hrs

Time of year: December – May

Enjoy and stay safe!

Pre-season training

Jack Harvard Taylor — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:27:55 +0000

Pre-season training is now well underway having been in the Alps for over a month now. Starting in Saas Fee, I spent just over two weeks training with the leading Eurotest and race training provider, JJC Training. Organised and run by current Eurotest openers Craig Robinson and James Bennett, they have the perfect set-up in the pretty little town of Saas Fee, situated in the high Valais region of Switzerland. Not only are Craig and James great coaches, they both have strong racing backgrounds, having been on the GB development squad.

Following Saas, I started to make my way back across the border and into France. Stopping off briefly in Chamonix to wash some thermals it was not long before I was back on the road and heading to Alpe D’Huez to commence with the next stage of my pre-season training with team captain Andrew Clarke.

Arriving in Alpe D’Huez to find green hills was not a good start but we made the most of the warm weather and sun by taking a three hour hike up the mountain for a ‘quick’ ski down the 200m stretch of snow sitting high up on the mountain at an altitude of 2800m. Continuing on, we hit the gym hard at the Palais de Sport working on building a strong core and maintaining our CV endurance.

Another tough session

With sore muscles we decided to throw the towel in and hit the road, this time we were heading to Tignes and our arrival couldn’t have been better timed. Arriving to 90cm of fresh snow we avoided the crowds and headed straight up to Val D’Isere to meet fellow team member Anna Morrissey and family. That afternoon Andrew and I went back down the mountain to stay at the ideally located Chalet Melezes. Sipping tea and eating cake we watched as the snow fell outside by the metre! The next morning we decided to give the race skis a rest and borrow some of the chalet’s Scott test skis to make the most of the powder. Riding on a pair of this year’s Scott Missions, I was super impressed by the stability and versatility of the ski.

Staying on in Val D’Isere for a further three days, we later found out they had more snowfall during the 72 hours we were there than the whole of last season!

Happy Jack!

Heading back to Alpe D’Huez for our final week we welcomed fellow teammate Ian Roberts and Army telemarker Tigs Chohan and enjoyed a cheese fondue:

During our last week in Alpe D’Huez, the Army’s Royal Artillery regiment arrived in town to start there preparation for the Army Championships in January ahead of the Inter Services in Meribel later in the season. With them came gates and racing, for which I am very grateful to Captain James and Colonel Jonathan for letting me train in their gates on my telemark skis.

After a great four weeks pre-season training I have finally returned to my base for the season, Argentiere – France. Here I plan to spend Christmas with family and squeeze in some quality training with Seb Mansart and the French National Team before heading over to Rauris, Austria for the British Telemark Championships.

Work – Ski – Work – Ski

Jack Harvard Taylor — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:36:12 +0000

After possibly the busiest three week of my life to date – I thought I would take a step back and share with you a few thoughts and ideas as I start to put away my dark suits and Blackberry and replace them with skis and avalanche transceiver in preparation for the epic winter season ahead.

Finishing off the British Telemark Team selection in Hintertux on a high after putting down some consistent runs in the tough conditions – I am pleased to make the team for my third season racing on the FIS Telemark World Cup. No matter what some people may say Great Britain team selection is never easy. With everyone cranking it up a notch and throwing themselves down the hill as quickly as possible it is always a fight not just physically but also psychologically. Starting off the day with a couple of bad runs can quickly knock your confidence and this was evident with a few individuals.

Andrew and Jack

Towards the end of the week I spent a morning on Kneissl’s White Star GS – a full on FIS reg giant slalom ski.

For a burly 188 GS ski I was very impressed how nimble, yet solid they felt underfoot. The skis railed beautifully on firm snow and held their edges well on hard ice. Can’t wait to start ripping on Kneissl this season!

Kneissl White Star GS

After some great coaching towards the end of last season I feel my personal skiing has come on massively, and the perseverance has paid dividends. With a better tactical understanding of the racing line and an increased kinesthetic awareness I am feeling confident as I enter into the pre-season phase of my training in a couple of weeks’ time ahead of the 2011/12 WC.

Andrew and Jasmin taking care of their moustaches..

Following on from the week in Hintertux I was straight back to work during the day but also kept busy in the evenings with The Ski & Snowboard Show taking place at London’s Earls Court. For the first time in a number of years the show returned to the Earls Court exhibition hall. As always the show was a very social affair and it was great to catch-up with so many old ski buddies.

Finishing off a great Ski Show week the British Telemark Team hosted a fundraising cocktail party at the iconic Ski Club of Great Britain in Wimbledon last Saturday night. Attended by a number of sponsors, athletes, supporters and close friends the evening was a huge success. We were also very privileged to welcome world famous mountaineer and adventurer Jo Gambi who gave the most inspiring speech about some of her experiences reaching the 7 summits. Closing the evening with the UK’s first screening of Josh Madsen latest offering, Loyalty – guest left buzzing and ready for the winter season!

Guests enjoying the British Telemark Cocktail Party

Having enjoyed a few shandies..

So what now….

As I enter into my final two weeks at No.7 Hertford Street, working for the leading property marketing and PR specialist, TTA Group I will be sad to leave having gained much valuable experience over the last 20 week and met so many interesting and truly inspiring professionals. But I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead. Leaving London in the first week of November I will be heading straight out to Saas Fee to join JJC Training for three weeks intense on-snow and dry land training.

British Telemark Ski Team Selection – Hintertux, Austria. Part Two

Jack Harvard Taylor — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:14:41 +0000

Finally we had a break in the weather today and after brisk free-ski this morning we had gates up and timing kit ready to go.

The soft snow this afternoon made for tough conditions on the hill – with big ruts and huge patches of slush, but everyone coped well and skied fast.

Ski primed and ready to rip!

My first few runs down the rhythmic GS course were frustrating as I had problems controlling my rotary movement and found myself over rotating and falling into the turn but once I had overcome this little problem I finished the session with a couple sweet runs.

Happy Jack and Andrew

Tomorrow Andrew and I will be testing Kneissl’s White Star GS skis in the morning before continuing on with the selection with more timing in the afternoon.

prepping the Kneissl skis for testing tomorrow

Well, that’s all for tonight – time to get some sleep in preparation for a busy day tomorrow!

British Telemark Ski Team Selection – Hintertux, Austria. Part One

Jack Harvard Taylor — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:09:00 +0000

We have now been in Tux for two days now and have certainly experienced some varied weather up on the glacier. Yesterday we headed up the hill for our first day only to find bad vis and heavy snowfall. Not being put off we battled on till lunch time before calling it a day and retiring back down the valley.

Andrew with the vehicle this morning after heavy snowfall during the night

Today we experienced much of the same weather if not worse. After sitting around for an hour or so with the 60 other international race teams we made an executive decision to beat a retreat and headed down the mountain.

Andrew, Ian, Colin and Jasmin

This afternoon we headed to Denifl to stock up with some racing supplies before venturing onto the indoor swimming pool for some exercise and core stability. This was also accompanied by some very competitive time trials that took place on the very fast, slippery waterslide – with Andrew taking gold with a mere 15.56 seconds from top to bottom!

Sampling some Norwegian kit...

Right – that’s all for now but stay posted for more news and videos as the week goes on.

Off to bed now before we starting smashing some gates tomorrow!

Pre-Season Snowsports events

Jack Harvard Taylor — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:35:45 +0000

With winter drawing closer by the day I thought I would take a minute to fill you in with some exciting upcoming events:

19th – 23rd October – Ski & Snowboard Show – Earls Court, London

With over 160 ski resorts, 22 different retailers, a 50ft hip kicker, fashion show & brand arena, live music, 4 bars, 230 shops and stands plus loads more attractions at Earls Court during the five days.

The show is essential for any snowsports fans from professionals to beginners, prepare to be amazed, be entertained.

For Full details visit the official website: www.metrosnow.co.uk.

22nd October – British Telemark Cocktail Party – The Ski Club of Great Britain, London

Date: 22^nd October 2011

Start time: 8:00pm

End time: 12:00am

Where: The Ski Club of Great Britain, Wimbledon

What: The British Telemark Ski Team invites you to join them for an exciting evening of splendour at the Ski Club of Great Britain. After the success of last year’s Telemark Winter Ball, the team are hosting this second fundraising event which will certainly be an evening to remember!

With the 2011/12 winter season not too far away now, there is no better opportunity to meet the athletes that will be competing this year on the FIS Telemark World Cup circuit, before they head out to Austria to commence training ahead for their first race in December.

For who: Everyone

How much: Tickets are £30 each. For more info, go to: http://britishtelemark.wordpress.com/

28^th – 29^th October – Freeze Festival – Battersea Power Station, London

The Freeze Festival including the International Freeski Competition and the GBR, FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air event, will take place at Battersea Power Station, London on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th October 2011. The UK’s only snow, ski and music festival, this year’s event looks set to be the best yet, with the world’s best ski and snowboard athletes and headline act The Streets performing across the 2 days of competition and music. For full details visit the official website: www.relentlessfreeze.com

Sports Vision

Jack Harvard Taylor — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 22:11:32 +0000

Last weekend I travelled across to Braintree in Essex to see Gavin Rebello, the UK’s leading sports optician, who specialises in improving athlete’s vision. He has worked extensively with a number of athletes in a variety of different sports.

Curious to find out what this was all about, Gavin explained, “People don’t understand the importance in most sports. You can spend thousands of pounds on equipment and nutritional support but vision is too often overlooked by too many athletes”.

After some routine checks to make sure my contact lenses were working effectively and they were to the right strength, we moved onto looking at different goggle lens tints. When skiing recreationally we tend to stick to one pair of goggles with a single lens for all light conditions and this is usually fine. But when it comes to hurling yourself to a tight giant slalom course in 30% visibility you quickly appreciate having a choice of half a dozen lenses which really enhance the low light conditions.

Gavin has worked with a number of winter sports athletes including Alpine racers Chemmy Alcott and Jack Gower. It was interesting to hear that Chemmy preferred a pink tinted lens in her goggles – I don’t know if this has anything to do with pink being her favourite colour but I on the other hand found my eyes work better with a blue lens.

Jack and Gavin Rebello

Following on from the initial assessment, Gavin took me through a number of sports specific tests to assess my hand-eye coordination, timing, accuracy and reaction times. These were very interesting and I can certainly see the benefit to doing this kind of testing. To my delight I also beat Chemmy – it just goes to show telemarkers are better than alpine skiers!

Final I left Sports Vision with some great suggestions about how I can improve my vision for this season which I look forward to testing when I get back on snow at the start of November.

Gavin also offers many vision solutions such as contact lenses, wrapped sun glasses with and without prescription as well as goggles and mountaineering protective eyewear.

To book your sports vision assessment, call: 01376 320419 or drop Gavin an email at gavin.rebello@sports-vision.co.uk