Steamboat teen is champ at telemark racing
Zoe Taylor, 16, of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, ruled the world in a recent telemark skiing event.
Story and photo by John Meyer, The Denver Post
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Telemark racing is the oldest of "old-school" ski sports, a defiant counterpoint to everything the "action sports" community tells us is cool, but 16-year-old Zoe Taylor gave it a fresh face and a dazzling smile last week.
Taylor, a member of the 98-year-old Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, won an FIS Telemark World Cup race Friday night under the lights at historic Howelsen Hill, becoming the first U.S. woman on a tour podium since 2000.
"I was kind of hoping for a podium, but that was kind of far-fetched, so my goal was not (finishing) last," said Taylor, stunned to edge Laura Genier-Soliget of France for the win.
The FIS Telemark World Cup tour this year will make seven stops in five countries, with Steamboat the only U.S. venue.
"I love the sportsmanship," Taylor said. "Everyone from all the different teams is so nice and friendly. It's a great environment in an amazing sport with so much history."
Read more about the roller-coaster growth of telemark racing in the U.S. and its trajectory to become an Olympic event in John Meyer's full story at the Denver Post website.
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