Kerrs establish early stranglehold on field at National Champs

By Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat, in Sheffield

EUROPEAN bronze medallists Sinead and John Kerr took one step closer to history after racing into the ice dance lead at the British Ice Skating Championships.

FLYING AHEAD: European bronze medallists John and Sinead Kerr establish an early lead in their quest for a record-breaking seventh consecutive national ice dance title (Getty Images)

The Scottish siblings are competing for a record-breaking seventh consecutive title in Sheffield and had the perfect start in Thursday's compulsory dance, scoring a personal best 37.59 points for their Tango Romantico.

And the pair have their customary stranglehold over the competition after the first dance.  Former British junior champions Penny Coomes and Nicholas Buckland were 7.06 behind in second.

But Sinead insists the standard of competition is hotter than ever at this year's championships.

"We've not been at our best before here but this nationals feel like a bigger deal," said the 31-year old, who trains with her brother in New Jersey.

"It feels a lot more competitive.  I think that has pushed us and made us step up our game.

"We have done a lot of competitions this season and at every one we're trying to improve.  As a result, for us, this event is no different to any other international. In fact, the standard is so high this year that it's better than a few we've done.

"And with it being Olympic year, it's especially important to perform at as high a level as possible - so this is a great help to us."

While the Kerrs have already booked their place in Vancouver, the second ice dance spot on the British Olympic team is still up for grabs with the best competitor from Sheffield to be put forward by the sport's governing body, NISA.

And while Coomes and Buckland are winning the race after round one, Louise Walden and Owen Edwards are less than three points behind in fourth while last year's national runners-up Phillipa Towler-Green and Phillip Poole lie just over four points back in fifth.

But Walden insists that the teams are quick to put any rivalries on ice after finishing their routines.

"The atmosphere can be really competitive while you're out there on the ice but you try and leave it there," said Walden, who scored bronze with Edwards at last year's nationals in Nottingham.

"It's going to be a big year with the Olympic qualification at stake but we've been very philosophical about it this season and we are seeing it for what's meant to be will be.

"Of course we're going to try our hardest to get there, but it's in the lap of the gods.  If we skate our best there's no more we can do.

"We have been competing against each other at the same events during the season so we just treat it as an extension to that."

Friday's schedule sees the men, women and pairs take to the ice for the first time with their short program while the ice dance competition moves on to the original dance stage.

Six-time champion Jenna McCorkell will be one of the highlights in Sheffield as she continues her preparation for Vancouver.

VIEW CURRENT STANDINGS OF ICE DANCE COMPETITION ON PAGE 2