World Nordic U23 and Junior Championships Team Announcement

We are pleased to announce the team for the 2016 FIS Nordic World Junior and U23 Championships in Rasnov, Romania. Nordic comprises Cross Country skiing and Ski Jumping.

Cross Country

It has been a historic season so far for the British Nordic Ski Team and hopefully this can continue at the championships in Romania.

Coach Alex Standen – “I’m delighted to be taking this team to the Championships in Romania as it is one of the major events this season. This team has a blend of very experienced skiers who have competed at the very highest level and those just starting out on their championship career. Hopefully this mix can help all the athletes perform above their expectations. The championships is one of our major markers in the development of the athletes and all our current Olympians have competed at the championships in previous seasons.”  

Annika Taylor

YOB: 1993           

Club: Sugar Bowl Academy

After a successful start to Annika’s first ever World Cup season, including the Tour de Ski, Annika is looking to target the U23 championships as one of the major competitions of the season. This is her last season as U23 and is well placed to achieve Britain’s best ever results at the U23 championships.

As part of the Elite squad Annika has been heavily supported by Sport Scotland this season and looking to use this support to perform at championships.

Sarah Hale

YOB: 1995

Club: IFK Mora

Having experienced her first ever World Championships in Falun last season, Sarah is looking to progress in her first season at U23 level. Sarah has just started University in Sweden and is excited to see how a new training group has managed to help improve her as a skier.  

James Clugnet

YOB: 1996

Club: Highland Nordic

James is in his final year of junior and has shown some great results at the start of the season, breaking the 100 FIS point barrier for the first time. His main event will be the Skate Sprint although he will also be competing in the Classic time trial and the 20km Skiathlon. This will be James’s 3rd and final World Junior championships where he is hoping to get close or break into the top 30.

Lynne Gray

YOB: 1998

Club: Huntly Nordic ski club

With 3 years left as a junior, Lynne will be one of the youngest in the competition but her results this season has showed the potential to compete at this level. She's currently balancing studying for her 6th year advance Highers with racing internationally.

Lynne is looking to build on her first major Championships, the European Youth Olympics, last year and continue to progress up the field.

Duncan Gibb

YOB: 1997

Club: Huntly Nordic ski club

Having finished school in May, Duncan has been gaining more race experience than ever before this season and believes this will hold him in good stead for his 2nd World Junior championships. His main event will be the Sprint competition where he has had his best results. In the build up to the Championships Duncan will be training and racing with some of the Elite skiers under the watchful eye of head coach Roy Young and Sport Scotland support staff.  

Ski Jumping

Great Britain will be represented by Jake and Robert Lock, Ski Jumping twins who currently live out in the USA, training with the US Ski Jumping Team. Before the World Juniors, Jake and Robert will  focus on training in Park City and then head up to Whistler for the Canadian FIS cup at the beginning of February, followed by the FIS cup in Wisconsin.