Britain’s top female Telemark skiier has backed up a good summer of pre-season training with a positive performance in the first competition of the new season.

Jasmin Taylor, from Ipswich, was in Hintertux in Austria for the discipline’s World Cup opening round over the weekend.

The 22-year-old, a former national champion, was the first Brit to win a World Championship medal and the first to make the podium in a World Cup event.

In Austria two sprint races sandwiched a parallel sprint competition, the skiiers enjoying sunny conditions but temperatures as low as -11C (12F).

Taylor recorded a ninth place finish in the first sprint with a time of 1minute 52.15seconds.

But she improved on this second time round with a time of 1min 44.14secs, meaning she finished sixth.

In the parallel sprint she reached the quarter final stage.

After her races Taylor said: “It was so awesome to have such a big British team competing this year with so many British spectators cheering for us.

“I had a blast, it was so much fun and I feel I’m getting closer and closer to finding my best performances.

“I’m pleased with my performances, some more than others, and now I’m looking forward to training on the slopes before the next lot of races in January.”

Taylor added her pre-season was one of the best she has had in the sport after remaining injury free last season.

Towards the end of the 2013/14 season she suffered a knee injury which meant most of her preparation for the following winter consisted of recovery rather than training.

“This summer has probably been one of the most straightforward summers I have had,” she said.

“Last year I was rehabbing the knee. This year I have ironed out the last remaining niggles from that injury and that makes you feel strong going into a new ski season.

“I’ve been back and forth. I have been out twice and I went to Switzerland and France and had a week on the snow getting my skiing legs back.

“I feel fit and in good form. It’s been a good summer actually.”

Support an elite skiier

Taylor relies on sponsorship to help her compete at the top level. She would like to thank her supporters: LaserLife, TDS Safeguard, Metro Heating, Landwood Group, Trowers and Hamlins, Ladies Ski Club, Kneissl and Mountain Boot Company (Scarpa and Rottefella). If you would like to help back Taylor or find out more about her visit www.jaztelemark.com.