Member Article

Landwood flying high with skiing sponsorship

Jasmin Taylor, the UK’s No 1 Telemark skier, who is sponsored by Landwood Group, the leading northern-based chartered surveyors and auctioneers with an office in Leeds, has become the first-ever British Telemark skier to win a World Championship medal.

Jasmin won a Bronze medal at the Telemark World Championships, which were held in Steamboat Springs in Colorado, USA.

This is Landwood Group’s first foray into sports sponsorship and, as director Mark Bailey explained, the company chose a successful sportswoman in a specialised field to mirror the company’s own specialised practice.

Mark commented: “We are tremendously proud of Jaz. It is a great achievement for her to win a Bronze medal, especially as she is the first-ever British Telemark skier to do so. This is a magnificent result.”

Jasmin explained: “Following the traditional opening ceremony and public draw in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, I started number 7 for the Sprint race. The hill changed dramatically in pitch throughout, with a difficult jump dropping competitors into the steepest section. I finished both runs in third place, achieving a World Championship bronze medal for Great Britain.

“This was the first-ever podium finish for Great Britain in Telemark skiing and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Landwood Group, so I would like to thank them very much indeed.

Jasmin, who is just 21 years old, is the top Telemark skier in the country and is well on the way to becoming one of the best in the world. To the uninitiated, Telemark skiing is widely regarded as the purest form of skiing.

“Telemark skiing came from Norway. It is very similar to conventional downhill skiing but varies, though, as the skier has the extra challenge of negotiating a large jump half way down the slalom course, as well as a cross-country skating section towards the end, further testing their endurance,” explained Mark.

Jasmin, who comes from Ipswich, is currently ranked No 3 in the world, as well as being the UK’s No 1. She is also the French Cup Champion of 2012/2013 and finished 2nd in the first World Cup race of 2013-2014.

“We feel that Jasmin is the perfect fit for our business,” said Mark Bailey. “We heard about Jasmin and her success from a client of ours and, as keen skiers ourselves, we were extremely impressed. The opportunity to support a national sports person, who is the leader in their field, does not come along very often.

“We were especially attracted by the fact that Jasmin is an expert in a specialist and technical discipline. We see parallels here with the specialist nature of our own practice, which deals with plant and machinery and property assets for banks, insolvency practitioners and large private clients,” said Mark.

The Landwood Group’s sponsorship will specifically help Jasmin to fund her training and competition programme across Europe and the USA. Jasmin does not get any money from UK Sport as Telemark skiing isn’t an Olympic sport – yet. However, Jasmin is championing the drive to get the sport included in the Olympics.

Jasmin commented: “The Landwood Group are a firm of chartered surveyors, asset managers and auctioneers, specialising in business asset valuation, management and disposal. They also happen to be keen skiers, which means that I am fortunate enough to be sponsored by this amazing company. Thank you so much to Landwood Group.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .