Below-par McCorkell claims record-breaking seventh national title

By Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat, in Sheffield

JENNA McCorkell scooped a record-breaking seventh national crown despite a below-par showing at the British Ice Skating Championships.

LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN: Jenna McCorkell puts in a below-par performance but still eases to her seventh national title in Sheffield (Getty Images)

The 23-year old had eyed improvements after Friday's short program but fell during an early triple flip before a flawed late triple toe loop saw her crash to the ice with a bump.

But McCorkell's elements were so far advanced of her rivals that her position at the top was never in doubt as she collected 72.88 points to finish with 122.48 overall - more than 17 points ahead of Karly Robertson in second.

Having overtaken former European silver medallist Sally-Anne Stapleford's five in Nottingham last season, the Northern Irish skater is now in a league of her own with Olympic silver medallist Cecilia Colledge only managing six titles during her career.

And while McCorkell conceded the record was a big silver-lining to her weekend, she couldn't conceal her disappointment with her Sheffield performance.

"The record is one bright side to the weekend," said McCorkell. "But obviously I'm not  that happy with my own performance.

"It happens sometimes and that's just the way it goes.

"I had some problems with my arm last night where I lost feeling in it for some reason but I felt good during practice and didn't have any problems with the arm today.

"I don't want to make excuses really for what was a poor skate. I'll just pick myself up and carry on with my next few events."

In McCorkell's case, her next event will be the NRW Trophy in Dortmund which will be her fifth weekend of competition in a row.

But the busy schedule doesn't stop there with the national champion then returning to British shores for the Chiller show in Coventry.

And McCorkell admits the persistent travelling has taken it's toll.

"I was very, very tired this week because I only had a couple of days to prepare for the nationals after flying back from Canada," said McCorkell.

"I've never had such little time before and to compete like that is very difficult.

"Competing every weekend just gives you no time to relax and no time to train and work on things to improve. It's going to be pretty hectic for me now until Christmas.

"But I'll have the first two weeks in January to train for the Europeans and then the Olympcis."

Meanwhile, Robertson looks likely to accompany McCorkell to Tallinn for the European Championships in January after finishing second for the third consecutive year on 104.85.

The 20-year old from Dundee was lying second after Friday's short program and consolidated her position with a score of 69.12 in the free skate to leave her on 104.85.

Laura Kean picked up her first senior national medal by finishing third as the 17-year old scored 60.87 for he free skate to finish on 93.69.

FOR FINAL STANDINGS AND FREE SKATE RESULTS GO TO PAGE 2