Telemark titles defence proving 'intense' for Taylor

Away from the Winter Olympics, telemark skier Jasmin Taylor is experiencing one of the most "intense" seasons of her career in defence of her World Cup title.

She has registered three wins so far, but is second in the standings, external behind Norway's Goril Strom Eriksen, who has seven podium finishes to her five, following the recent round at Trillevallen in Sweden.

Taylor, 32, completed a magnificent hat-trick last winter becoming sprint and classic champion as well as taking the overall title.

"I feel that things are going well, but sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that this time last season I was in a better position," she told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"I'm just trying to stay [in the] present, stay focused, one race at a time, even one run at a time, try to keep my head on track really.

"It could be anyone's year and Goril this year is a training buddy, she's spending the season in France.

"It's interesting to have a competitor pushing you every day in training as well and it makes the whole season more intense."

Telemark skiing is not part of the Winter Olympics and as such British competitors do not therefore receiving funding.

Telemark - which consists of a giant slalom, a jump, a 360-degree turn and a slightly uphill cross-country skiing section - differs from alpine skiing in that the boot is attached to the ski in a way that allows the heel to rise during turns.

The World Cup moves to AI in the Hallingdal region of Eriksen's home country Norway this weekend, a venue where Taylor, from Ipswich, achieved a third and two fourth-place finishes 12 months ago.

She is hoping to add to her 21 World Cup wins, with her podium finishes tally now having passed 70, but to do so, she will have to get the better of Eriksen and France's Camille Bourbon, who is third in the standings.

"We've got one of each discipline in Norway, whereas in Sweden we had three sprint races," said Taylor.

"I did take back the lead after the first day of racing and then dropped back to fourth, and then was second, so it's constantly changing.

"It's interesting because she [Eriksen] is a really good friend and I'm sure we'll be friends for many years well beyond competing, but it definitely adds a competitive element to training," added Taylor.

"Having somebody there that pushes you every day ultimately helps you become a better athlete and a better skier but at times you do find yourself thinking 'I've opened the door to a competitor, why would I do that?'

"At the same time, if you're doing all this and improving as an athlete, what's the point if you don't improve yourself as a person as well? It just felt right - maybe it was daft on my part, but in the end you just have to make a decision and do the best with what you choose."