COLCHESTER international telemark skier Jasmin Taylor says it is a ‘massive compliment’ to receive a grant from the Rob George Foundation.

The successful Great Britain telemark competitor is set to be awarded £500 by the Colchester-based charity, which will contribute to her training, coaching and travel costs.

Taylor, who is set to take part in a series of FIS World Cup events in 2020 along with other international events, is currently ranked in the world’s top three in telemark, a technique that combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing.

She is closing in on the British record of 29 World Cup podiums held by freestyle skier Jilly Curry.

The 25-year-old says it is a huge boost to receive the backing of the foundation which was set up in memory of the former Colchester and East Essex Club cricketer Rob George, who died from acute myeloid leukaemia in 2013.

Taylor, who last year won her first World Cup event, said: “It’s a massive compliment to receive this support and it’s very kind of them.

“It will be very beneficial for training, coaching and travel costs.

“All my funding comes from private sponsorship, and grants like this are really helpful.

“It’s not a mainstream sport so it’s a huge boost and it’ll pay a substantial amount of my costs.”

Taylor said the grant came about following a chance meeting at the Colchester Rotary Club.

“A gentleman there called Peter Powell told me about the Rob George Foundation and all of the fantastic work that they do,” said the former Stanway School pupil.

“They are amazing and they don’t just support young sports people – their support can also be life-changing for so many other people.

“He told me about the Foundation story which is very sad but also very inspiring, for them to have done something so positive.

“It just so happens that Lorraine George was my old dance teacher at Marks Tey.

“It’s funny how life comes back on itself – but I was never that good at dancing!”

Taylor, who was the first Briton to win a World Championship medal in telemark skiing, returns to physical training in the coming days, in preparations for the new World Cup season which starts at the end of the year.

She will undertake gym work, weight lifting, intervals, roller-skiing, running and cycling, in a bid to launch another medal challenge.

“You need to be fit in many different areas in order to compete and it takes a lot of work to do that,” added Taylor, who is just one year off completing a Sport and Exercise Sport degree at the University of Suffolk.

“I’ve had a good season – it’s been my best yet.

“I finished third overall – I was second in two disciplines and fourth in the other, which gave me the third-place finish overall.

“My world ranking is the best I’ve had and it all seems to be coming together.”