Dundee figure skater Natasha McKay has an incredible sixth straight British title in her sights as she bids to seal a place at next year’s European Championships.
After representing Great Britain in February’s Winter Olympics, McKay can finish off 2022 in style by retaining the UK’s No 1 slot next week.
The British Championships gets under way in Sheffield next Thursday.
And Dundee will be well represented at the national competition, though former champion Karly Robertson won’t be there for the first time in over a decade.
“Everyone is excited, we’ve trained well and it’ll be nice to enjoy the British Championships before Christmas,” coach Simon Briggs told the Courier.
“Natasha is going for a sixth title and it’s always a bit of a different competition in an Olympic year but she is training very well.
“The competition is similar to previous years excluding Karly Robertson who has retired.
“There are a couple who were fighting for the Olympic spot and are now fighting for the British title.
“Added to it all is the selection process for the European Championships.
“Natasha is in a good place, around 13 points clear of second place and that will be decided after this championships.”
Karly Robertson
Robertson’s final British Championships came earlier this year after a Covid delay, where she secured an incredible 12th second place finish in the last 14 events.
2015 saw her finally grab top spot before fellow Dundee skater Danielle Harrison won in 2016. Since then it’s been all McKay with Robertson in second.
“It will be strange for us not having Karly there and not having three or four competitors in the senior women’s competition,” Simon added.
“It’s one of these things where honest conversations are had and people want to give back to the sport.
“Karly has joined us in doing more coaching but she did say it would be strange not competing at the British Championships for the first time in 11 or 12 years.”
Reigning champs
McKay is not the only Dundee competitor, however.
Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby are the reigning pairs champions and will be back in Sheffield to defend their crown.
“They have gained a lot of experience in European Championships and international competitions since,” Simon added.
“So they aren’t new to pressure but it’s a different ballgame when you are defending champion.
“But they have been skating well and that breeds confidence.”
Who else?
Also in action will be Lucy Hay and Kyle McLeod as they step up to the junior pairs after winning the Advanced Novice Junior Pairs event last time out.
Elliot Thompson is in the senior men’s after being selected for the World University Games in Lake Placid, USA, next year.
Emma Lyons will be in the junior women after taking second place in the advanced novice girls last time.
And Mia Craig is stepping up to the advanced novice section for the first time where she will compete against club-mate Polly Morris.
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