British skater Jenna McCorkell's Winter Olympic dream

Jenna McCorkell is perfecting her routines ahead of the Winter Olympics

By Alvin McCaig

The countdown is on for Jenna McCorkell as the Coleraine skater prepares for the biggest performance of her life.

The 23-year-old will be the first skater from Northern Ireland to compete in the Winter Olympics when she takes to the ice in Vancouver on 23 February.

McCorkell showed that she can compete with the best by securing top 10 finishes in the European Championships in 2008 and 2009.

The world number 20 went into this year's event in Estonia suffering from a viral infection, but still managed a best ever score in the short programme.

However, the effects of her illness were all to evident in the free programme and an ailing McCorkell slipped to 14th place.

The focus now is solely on Vancouver and she hopes to be in peak condition for the ultimate contest in her sport.

"It's so close now and I can't wait - it is something I've dreamed about so to be going to the Olympics is amazing," said McCorkell.

Being happy working with Yuri and Shanetta is reflected in my performances. Jenna McCorkell

"Everything has come together for me in the last couple of years and I'm more confident on the ice.

"I've more belief in myself and I suppose experience is another factor in my improvement."

McCorkell is quick to add coach Yuri Bureiko and choreographer Shanetta Folle as reasons for her success and her husband Kevin van der Perren also gets a mention.

The seven-times British champion married the the Belgian skater, who will also be competing in Vancouver, in 2007 and they train together near Brussels.

Coventry is another base for McCorkell but most of her time is spent travelling the globe on the international figure skating circuit.

It is a punishing schedule and one that takes its toll, not only on the body but also financial resources.

She added: "Everyone thinks it's great fun travelling everywhere - it's not. Before Christmas I was competing six weekends in a row and the exhaustion from that contributed to my recent illness.

"It's tough at times and although I receive essential funding from Sport NI it is not enough to cover all my expenses.

McCorkell will perform at the Pacific Coliseum on 23 and 25 February

"For example, my two performance costumes cost £2,000 so it is a major effort just to remain on the circuit.

"But I love the sport and being happy working with Yuri and Shanetta is reflected in my performances.

"Kevin and I understand each other's strengths and weaknesses and training together seems to work well for both of us."

McCorkell flies out to Canada with the rest of the GB & NI team on 8 February and will have five practice sessions at the Pacific Coliseum before performing for Olympic points.

She is realistic about her prospects and a place on the podium is not on the agenda.

Instead, it's about bringing the best out of her short and free routines in the cauldron of Olympic competition.

World champion Ya-Na Kim from South Korea is the clear favourite for gold with Canada's Joannie Rochette and Japanese pair Miki Ando and Mao Asada among her challengers.

"Everyone would love to get a medal but I will be happy with a top 15 finish," said McCorkell.

"It's all about who performs under what will be the ultimate pressure - mental strength plays a massive part in the outcome.

"Luckily for me I don't notice the crowd once the music begins and I just focus on the routine.

"I intend to enjoy every minute of the experience and my mum and dad are coming out to cheer me on.

"This is the best it gets in my sport and I will go into the Olympic Games confident of putting on a good show."