2013 a “big year” for Bleasdale

British pole vault record holder Holly Bleasdale has already made her intentions for 2013 very clear, with a world-class 4.62m at the Perche Elite Performance Tour in France followed up by victory at last weekend’s British Athletics Glasgow International Match where she cleared 4.60m.

But the 21-year-old knows consistency is the aim of the game and has confirmed she will be looking to secure the UK title for the third successive year when she returns to the British Athletics European Indoor Trials & UK Championships in Sheffield next month.

“2013 is a big year for me,” she commented, “so it’s important that I’m consistent and perform well in all my competitions.”

Bleasdale enjoyed a successful indoor campaign last year which saw her claim 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.

“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,” she said. “Hopefully I can produce a good performance and confirm my place for the European Indoor Championships in March.”

Her victory last weekend moved her one step closer to a place for Gothenburg. To gain automatic selection, Bleasdale will need a top two finish but the Olympic finalist is confident she can continue to build on the year’s early successes.

“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,” she said.

“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.