‘Team GB’s secret slalom weapon’ is how a skiing blog post heralded Laurie Taylor’s Olympic debut at PyeongChang 2018.
Four years later the 25-year-old is taking aim at Beijing 2022, front and centre of an exciting new era for British alpine skiing.
“In PyeongChang then you probably would have put me as a bit of a wildcard,” said Taylor, who in 2018 was one of the youngest members of the whole of Team GB.
“I'm probably still not that well known. But you know, I’m still pushing, chasing Dave and doing what I can.”
‘Dave’ is of course Dave Ryding, Britain’s slalom standard-bearer whose three World Cup medals and consistent presence in the world’s top 15 provide a generational marker.
Taylor started to train with peer Billy Major four years ago and the pair grew together in time to launch a dual raid on the Europa Cup podium in 2020-21.
Having started the season with bib number 90, Taylor took silver and Major gold in a historic one-two at Val Cenis, the resort where his parents live.
It led to the pair joining up with Ryding and forming a training group, the first time in his career that the Rocket has had team-mates cap
able of keeping up with him.
“It became obvious at World Cup races that we needed to get together in a team environment,” said Taylor.
“We’ve got a really good atmosphere. In the group, even if one of us doesn’t have a good day, there’s always one person who does and it’s great to push each other in training.
“Seeing Dave win World Cup medals, it’s very inspiring and it shows us that it’s possible. When you’re in training, comparing yourself to that, you know you’re at a high level.”
There is one ghost at the feast when it comes to Taylor’s trajectory, however.
His all-out attack approach to the technical slalom discipline means he has been unable to piece together a consistent run of race finishes and avoid skiing out.
Taylor is pinning his hopes on a change of ski manufacturer and a shift in mentality to address the imbalance between risk and reward.
“I think it’s a tactical thing,” said Taylor. “I verge towards going all or nothing or just not thinking about it.
“That gets you fast sections but you’re not getting anything if you’re not crossing the finish line. It’s been an ongoing thing for the last couple of years.
“I’ve changed brands and got a much more stable ski, the consistency has been much easier with them. I know I need to work on it, but I don’t want to lose anything on the way.”
The target for Taylor this season is to break into the top 30 on the World Cup slalom circuit, which starts on Sunday in Val D’Isere.
And of course, looming large is the prospect of a second Games with Team GB.
Britain’s men have already earned two quota places, and further top 30 finishes in races this season will help secure a third, allowing Taylor, Ryding and Major to all compete in China.
“PyeongChang was, yeah, huge experience,” said Taylor.
“I think it's really good that having been to the Olympics once already, it won't be something new. Just having that whole experience again would be amazing.
“We don't go to China too much and that just makes it a little bit more special. Things are different, the snow is different, the hill is different. No-one’s really skied it.
“Anything can happen when it's like that, which is really cool.”
Sportsbeat 2021