“You’re like ‘ah wow, okay, this means something to people’” – Jaz Taylor
Fresh from her double Crystal Globe winning season, we sat down with Telemark sensation, Jaz Taylor, to get her insight into a history-making year
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QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS WITH CHARLOTTE BANKES
What do you love about your Discipline?
Snowboardcross is a really fun discipline, I think that what I really enjoy is the fact that it’s a combination of all the aspects of snowboarding and demands that you work on all terrain which really diversifies the training. I also really love the head to head racing, it’s a real adrenaline boost and you always have to be alert and adapt to what the other riders are doing around you.
What do you think is the most important mental and physical attribute for your discipline?
In boardercross you need to be able to adapt and let the instinct take over. Many different types of riders do well so there isn’t a specific attribute needed but it’s important to never give up and persevere. You also need to have power in your legs to generate speed from all the features and have a good feeling on the snow to let the board glide and accelerate.
Who inspires you from inside or outside the sport?
When I was growing up, I really looked up to both my brothers and tried to keep up with them. This was a big challenge as they’re both older than me but has really helped to push me and help me get to where I am now.
In 2006, with our local club we got to go and see the Olympic race to support Pierre Vaultier. He was a part of the club and went on a couple of years later to win several Crystal Globes, Olympic Gold medals and World Championship Gold. That was inspiring for me.
How do you get in the zone before a big event?
I concentrate on the course and try and visualize the whole race track. I think about my strong sections and where I can make a move to overtake.
What is your favourite moment on snow?
I think the most rewarding moment on snow is when you’ve managed to overcome a challenging track and you actually feel comfortable on it. Then racing it with other riders is just really enjoyable and you can push harder to try and generate speed all the way down the track.
Outside of snowboardcross, my most enjoyable times on the snow are powder days in between the trees where you can just lap, and get fresh tracks every time getting that feeling of just floating on the snow.
What would you say to someone wanting to get into your discipline?
It’s a really fun sport, you should come and have a try for sure. The great thing about it is that it’s a mix of all aspect of snowboarding, you need to be a good all-round snowboarder and comfortable on all terrains. Then it’s all about adapting top the terrain and playing with it to generate speed.
In our sport there is a wide range of different types of riders and this makes it fun and also entertaining to watch as each rider as their strengths and weaknesses. It’s also really easy to understand for spectators and easy as riders to know where we stand. You can’t afford to make a mistake when you’ve got 3 riders around which is even harder.
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