ICE SKATING: Illness takes its toll on Jenna

SEVEN times British ice skating champion, Jenna McCorkell, looked pale and drawn at the end of her four minute programme at the European Championships in Estonia at the weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jan 2010, 08:51 BST

Jenna finally succumbed to the viral relapse that had started to work on her prior to the short programme. However the demanding free programme just proved too much for the Coleraine skating star and her energy went towards the end.

Jenna's spokesperson, Karin McBride, told Times Sport that the 23-year-old is confident of being back to full fitness ahead of next month's Winter Olympics.

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"Jenna has had a rough time health-wise since Christmas," revealed Karin. "She is now starting her third course of antibiotics and in fact skated against doctor's advice at the weekend, but that is the measure of the woman. She and is a very conscientious athlete who does not like to let anyone down.

"Her coach, Yuri Bureiko, remains very positive and is convinced that with a good rest she will be fit for the Olympics in a few weeks time. It's disappointing, and it doesn't happen to Jenna very often, but that's life," added Karin.

Jenna finished out of the top ten overall but did can come away from the event with a lifetime best score in the short programme.

Her thoughts now turn to Vancouver where she will become the first ever athlete from Northern Ireland to compete in the Figure Skating.