Parr seals status as best in Britain with second national title

By Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat, in Sheffield

MATTHEW Parr insisted the only pressure to retain his title had come from himself after the British number one collected his second consecutive national crowd at the British Ice Skating Championships.

The 19-year old struck national gold last season but, after a high-court ruling, was replaced by Elliot Hilton for the World Championships in Los Angeles as the Nottingham skater had outscored Parr internationally.

However, Parr extinguished any doubts of his superiority amongst the British men in Sheffield, claiming his second consecutive crown by more than 11 points, eventually finishing on 154.19.

And while the Newcastle-born skater admitted the pressure had been cranked up this time round, he insisted it was only coming self-manufactured.

"I think there was more pressure but it was all from me this year," said Parr.

"In the end I felt pretty comfortable on the ice, especially with the free skate.

"I know in myself how good I am and what I can do, so I put a lot of pressure on myself.

"Maybe people are starting to know me a bit more as well now.   Still, I don't ever feel like I have to live up to anyone's expectations apart from my own."

Thomas Paulson maintained his second-place from overnight to pick up his fourth national silver medal with 143.44.

Meanwhile, David Richardson's free skate of 97.87 saw him overtake Jono Partridge to claim bronze with 140.09.

While there will be British representation in pairs, women and ice dance in Vancouver, the British men will be absent from the Winter Olympics for the third time in succession.

But Parr is taking it upon himself to make sure that miserable record is ended in Sochi in four years time.

"We all knew coming into this week that there wouldn't be a British man at the Olympics this year," said Parr, who is third reserve for the Vancouver Games.

"So it was just a case of concentrating on the British Championships before the Europeans and maybe the worlds later in the season.

"The main goal for most athletes is the Olympics and I'm no different - I want to be there in 2014."