Rostolan doubles up in Melchsee-Frutt, Taylor and Eriksen win to tighten Telemark title tussle

The FIS Telemark World Cup returned to one of the circuit’s most iconic Parallel Sprint venues in Melchsee-Frutt on 23 and 24 January. Firm snow, brisk temperatures, and a compact alpine setting delivered a high-intensity two days of action - with France’s Yoann Rostolan victorious in both men’s races and Jasmin Taylor (GBR) and Goril Strøm Eriksen (NOR) splitting the wins in the women’s sections.

Located on a high plateau between 1,920 and 2,255 meters, Melchsee-Frutt is widely regarded as a reference on the Telemark circuit for Parallel Sprint racing, with the course featuring hard, consistent snow ideal for technical, high-speed duels, while its layout combines steep entry sections, fast flowing gates, and demanding technical transitions. 

Clear and cold conditions provided a stable racing surface, allowing athletes to push aggressively from the opening rounds. With its experienced local organizing crew and volunteers from Telemark Laïf and a venue that brings jumps, turns, and finishes into close view, Melchsee-Frutt once again lived up to expectations.

Day One: Rostolan and Taylor strike first

In the men’s competition, Yoann Rostolan (FRA) emerged victorious after building confidence run by run, adapting effectively to the demanding snow conditions and technical course set. Switzerland’s Nicolas Michel — wearing the Overall leader's bib after a blistering start to the season — claimed second place, while Romain Beney (SUI) overcame mental scars to grab his first podium of 25/26 in third.

“I felt pretty nervous all day," reflected Beney, whose fall in the loom and resulting concussion on the same slope last season ended his 2024/25 campaign.

Germany’s Max Sautter also impressed, with the 24-year-old securing his first-ever top-four World Cup result in Parallel Sprint racing: “For me, the Parallel Sprint is the highlight of the sport, since anything can unfold in an instant. I’m super happy with today’s result. After the mistake in qualifying, I never expected to finish in the top four.”

On the women’s side, Jasmin Taylor (GBR) opened the Parallel Sprint season in dominant fashion, taking victory on a slope that rewarded precision and composure. France’s Camille Bourbon finished second, earning her first parallel podium, with Laly Chaucheprat (FRA) rounding out the top three.

“Really happy and proud of this win on a very challenging slope at Melchsee-Frutt, in very difficult conditions," said Taylor, clearly delighted with her opening-day performance. "It's the best way to start the Parallel Sprint season!”

Bourbon, meanwhile, reflected on a breakthrough two days in a discipline she has often found challenging: “I arrived in Melchsee-Frutt with my mind still focused on next week’s exams and a deep-seated belief that Parallel Sprints weren’t for me. Achieving my first podiums in Parallel has been an incredible experience. I knew I was capable — all that was left was to trust myself.”

Day Two: Rostolan again dominant, Eriksen grabs first win of season

Day Two delivered another round of high-speed duels, with Norway’s Goril Strøm Eriksen claiming victory in the women’s race — her first win and fourth podium this term — after growing in confidence throughout the day. Bourbon (FRA) once again finished second, while Léa Lathion (SUI) completed the podium, the latter securing enough points to stay just ahead of Eriksen and Taylor in the Overall standings.

In the men’s race, Rostolan (FRA) returned to the top step of the podium, confirming his strong form across the weekend, but Michel (SUI) refused to relinquish his grip on the Overall standings by securing second place once again. Fellow title contender Alexis Page (FRA) underlined his consistently excellent start to the 25/26 season by claiming third, his fourth podium this campaign, which keeps him third in the Overall standings, ahead of his countryman Theo Sillon and Italy’s Raphaël Mahlknecht.  

“It’s been a great two days, finishing in top spot twice, and it was built run by run with small adjustments that helped me adapt to this demanding course and snow. The work I did in Méribel [France] this autumn really paid off, and I hope it continues to pay off throughout the season," said Rostolan, whose fellow Méribel native Youri Duplessis-Kergomard (FRA), also a Telemark enthusiast, won in the FIS Ski Cross World Cup final in Veysonnaz on Friday.

What's next?

With two days of fast, tactical racing and duels from start to finish, Melchsee-Frutt once again underlined its status as a cornerstone of the Telemark Parallel Sprint calendar. The race for the Globes is well and truly hotting up after the fourth stop on this season’s circuit and the first Parallel Sprint races, and the Telemark World Cup action keeps on coming in February! 

First up are three WC Sprints at Trillevallen, Sweden on 5-7 February, followed by an all-rounder's delight at Åi in Norway from 13-15 February - where the world’s best will be tested across one Sprint, one Parallel Sprint and, last but not least, the season’s first Classic contest.