McCorkell looks to New Year with confidence

Figure Skating Winter Sports Post a comment

Posted: Friday 19th December 2008 | 18:42

BRITISH ice skater Jenna McCorkell is looking to bounce back from a mixed 2008 and make a big impression next year.

At the European Championship, in which she finished a career-best eighth, she scored personal best technical marks during the short programme - even bettering the eventual winner in some sections.

But a few weeks later she made an early and tearful exit from the World Championships in Gothenburg, after she finished 25^th - with only the top 24 advancing to the final.

However, 22-year old McCorkell has started the new season strongly - winning silver at the Golden Spin event in Zagreb and securing a top six place in a top-quality field at Skate Canada.

And, after missing the last Winter Olympics in Turin due to injury, the 12-month countdown to Vancouver 2010 is ticking louder than ever for the Coleraine skater.

"It's been a good start to the season and my performances have really moved on and improved," said McCorkell.

"There might be a whole year to go but the Olympics are not that far away really. I've been working for this moment since I was six-years old and I'm determined to get there."

McCorkell will be looking for a fifth British title in Nottingham in January and has never been better prepared, according to Russian coach Yuri Bureiko.

"I don't think I've ever met such a hard worker as Jenna," he said. "She's got lots of special qualities and her results this season are because of all that effort she puts in during training. I'm delighted with her progress, I couldn't ask for anymore and we're really hopeful for 2009."