Coomes and Buckland hang on to second as Kerrs claim historic win

By Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat, in Sheffield

PENNY Coomes and Nick Buckland held on to their coveted second-place at the British Ice Skating Championships to all but seal their spot at the Vancouver Olympics.

NERVOUS FINALE: Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland come through a nervous free dance to secure silver medal and a provisional Olympic place

As expected, Sinead and John Kerr collected an historic seventh consecutive national title with a score of 190.14 but it was the race for second place that was most intriguing in Sheffield with four couples competing in a ruthless make-or-break competition.

The National Ice Skating Association had promised before the event that the second-placed duo in Sheffield would earn their nomination to the BOA for the second ice dance space at the Vancouver Olympics, as long as they satisfied the Olympic standard of 146.08.

And while NISA and BOA have manufactured some wiggle-room, delaying the announcement of the team until the first week in January, Coomes and Buckland know that they have done all they can after scoring 158.86 to finish second overall in Sheffield.

The competition is only the pair's first senior nationals and without any major championship experience to date, the BOA may be seen to be taking a big risk in selecting the young couple.

The tension was unbearable as Coomes and Buckland stepped on to the ice for Saturday's free dance and although a nervous fall from Buckland and mistake from Coomes drew gasps from the crowd, the duo earned a 77.26 to clinch silver.

Nothing but a broken leg would have stopped the Kerrs from taking gold in Sheffield as they put the finishing touches to their routines ahead of the Grand Prix Finals in Tokyo next week and scored an impressive 93.04 with their final dance.

And although the limelight will deservedly be back on them as they become the first ever British representatives at the prestigious event in Japan, it was the race for second-place that captured the attention of the Sheffield crowd.