Northern Ireland ice skaters excelling
The Northern Ireland Ice Skating Association and its ice skaters have much to celebrate given their recent success at both junior and senior level.
Jenna McCorkell placed ninth in the recent European Championships in Helsinki. Karla Quinn skated into bronze place at the British Senior Championships in Sheffield and Edward Alton and his skating partner Tameron Drake have qualified for the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic which take place at the end of February. Jenna, Karla, Edward and Tameron are all supported through the Sport Northern Ireland Athlete Support Programme.
Edward and Tameron in preparations for 2009 World Junior Championships
This pair of teenage skaters have enjoyed success at national level since 2004, the year in which they were crowned Novice Champions and in 2005 they became Primary Champions.
Now the talented duo have qualified for the 2009 Junior World Championships which are scheduled to take place in Ostrava, Czech Republic from 28 February to 1 March. The pair achieved the entry standard needed to qualify in two Junior Grand Prix events in Ostrava, Czech Republic, last September and in Sheffield last October.
Having received the goods new 14 year old Tameron and 18 year old Edward are firmly focused on their preparations for the World Junior Championships. Their training consists of ten hours ice time per week in the Dundonald Ice Bowl which is combined with off-ice training which includes weekly ballet and jazz dance classes, gym work which incorporates weight and fitness training, stretching and off-ice lift/specialist pairs exercises.
Jenna places ninth in Europeans
At the recent European Championships in Helsinki Jenna McCorkell finished in ninth place after a superb start. Jenna gave an outstanding performance in the short programme lying in fourth place, a position that Great Britain hasn’t occupied in the Ladies event for over 20 years.
On the Saturday Jenna finished 12th in the free programme placing her ninth overall.
Jenna in now back at her Belgian base to prepare for the World Championships in Los Angeles in late March.
Bronze for Karla at British Senior Championships
Karla Quinn has triumphed and overcome injury and illness and is back on winning form as she demonstrated at the British Senior Championships by skating into Bronze position. |
