31 January 2013

British pole vault record holder Holly Bleasdale (coach: Dan Pfaff, Scott Simpson) has confirmed that she will compete at the British Athletics European Indoor Trials & UK Championships at the EIS-Sheffield on Saturday 9th February.

Bleasdale enjoyed a successful indoor campaign last year, which included a British record of 4.87m in France, a World Indoor bronze medal and a clearance of 4.70m to break the stadium record in Sheffield to secure the UK title for the second successive year.

In her first appearance since returning to the UK from her new training base in Arizona, the 21 year old cleared 4.60m at the British Athletics Glasgow International Match last weekend, which moved her one step closer to a place on the GB & NI team for the European Indoor Championships in March. To gain automatic selection, Bleasdale will need a top two finish but the Olympic finalist is looking forward to the challenge that faces her.

“I always enjoy coming to Sheffield to compete in the Trials, and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of making it three wins in a row. Hopefully I can produce a good performance and confirm my place for the European Indoor Championships in March.

“Clearing 4.60m at the British Athletics Glasgow International Match was a good start to the season but I know I can go much higher so hopefully I’ll be able to do that in Sheffield.”

In 2012 Bleasdale continued her indoor form into the outdoor season where she extended her British record at the Olympic Trials, clearing 4.71m before going on to a sixth place finish at her first Olympic Games in London.

With the European Indoor Championships on the horizon and the World Championships in August, Bleasdale is keen to put a strong marker down to show that she will be a force to be reckoned with again in 2013. 

“2013 is a big year for me so it’s important that I’m consistent and perform well in all my competitions. I want to continue progressing and put on a good show for the Sheffield crowd.”

Also hoping to secure selection to the European Indoor Championships are Katie Byres, who increased her lifetime best to 4.52m indoors last year, and Sally Peake, who will also be looking to produce a lifetime best to make the 4.50m qualification standard.