A Kirk Hallam Community Academy student who is one of the country’s top freestyle skiers has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Junior World Championships.
Justin Taylor-Tipton, 16, has been named in the 19-strong GB Squad by British Ski and Snowboard for the World Junior Freestyle Championships in Italy.
The competition takes place from April 3rd to April 7th 2017 in Chiesa in Valmalenco and Justin will travel there from Laax in Switzerland, where he is currently training.
After taking part in the Junior World Championships, Justin will travel back to Laax to compete in the Big Air event at the British Championships on April 7th.
His sister Ella, 12, also a student at Kirk Hallam Community Academy, will also be competing at the British Championships from April 3rd to April 7th. Justin and Ella are both ICON athletes and are grateful for the support they receive from Derbyshire Sport.
Justin, of West Hallam, said he was thrilled to be selected to represent Great Britain.
He said: “I’m so stoked to get selected for the Junior Worlds at Valmalenco this April in Slopestyle and represent GBR, it’s a great honour.”
Justin is part of the Freestyle National Academy, a partnership between Snowsport England and British Ski and Snowboard to support the most talented athletes who have been identified as having the potential to progress.
It is part of the GB Park and Pipe – a type of skiing which involves tricks and jumps – Performance Pathway, with the next stage being the GB park and pipe team followed by the potential for Winter Olympic selection.
Justin is an ambassador for Sportsaid, the Rob George Foundation and Go Ski Go Board. In April he will receive his Sportsaid cheque from the Nottingham Building Society as he has been closely linked with its Ilkeston branch.
The teenager started skiing when he was seven, began competing in races when he was nine and became a freestyle competitor at the age of 12.
He learnt freestyle at Swadlincote Ski Centre and trains at Hemel Hempstead, Stoke Ski Centre and Halifax Ski Slope.
Justin’s current titles include the English Slopestyle Champion 2015 and 2016, British Indoor Slopestyle Champion 2016, Welsh Slopestyle Champion 2016 and winner of London Ride Big Air 2016 at Telegraph Ski and Snowboard Show.