Fairford teenager heading for European Championsips (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fairford teenager heading for European Championsips

11:42am Wednesday 8th July 2009

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FAIRFORD’S Ellie Taylor flies out to the land of a thousand lakes at the end of the month in a bid to help Team GB defend its title at the European Cable Wakeboard Championships.

Finland boasts no fewer than 187,888 lakes and Taylor will be competing in the 26-strong GB team against 15 other nations at the sports resort of Ukkohalla.

Taylor, left, the Girls U15 UK National champion last year, also earned an individual bronze in the Europeans at Bursa in Turkey where her points helped Britain lift the overall team gold.

The Farmor’s School student capped a magnificent 2008 in the sport she had taken up just two years previously on a family holiday in Cyprus with a team bronze at the World Championships in Russia.

But Taylor, 16, knows she must raise her game this season.

"I will be moving up an age category to Junior Ladies (U19), however, I believe I can still be competitive," she said.

"I am adding some more difficult tricks to my routine, including a ‘back roll’ and a ‘blind judge’.

"On July 25, it is the UK Nationals at JBSki, Thorpe, in Surrey and I think a podium finish is a realistic target for me.

"The following weekend it is the European Championships in Finland and the day after that, at the same venue, there is the Euro Pro Wakeboard Tour.

"It all costs a great deal of money and, though the British team part-funds the trip, I am doing a sponsored mini-triathlon on July 16 to try and raise some extra cash.

"I am going to swim 1km in the Four Pillars Hotel Pool, then do an hour of cycling in the Four Pillars gym. Then it is straight over to WMSki in South Cerney for a 10km wakeboard session!"

Four Pillars Spa 6 gym has generously given Ellie free access to its facilities for her winter training and she also has commercial backing from Craig Cohoon Water Sports, BUK Boardwear and WMSki.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Ellie on her mini-triathlon bid should call her dad Richard on 07803 632614.

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