by Toni Minichiello

Jessica's Coach

A list of the entrants for the European Indoor Championships has now been made available and so we know who Jessica’s opposition will be. There are a total of 15 entrants and below is my appraisal of some of those 15.

Carolina Kluft the Swedish reigning European Indoor Champion although has had mixed results indoors so far but is a supreme competitor and will still start as favourite.

Tia Hellebaut – Belgium, the World Leader for the pentathlon so far this year 4877, and with a 2.00m High Jump already to her name she looks the strongest challenger for the Gold medal.

Karin Ruckstuhl – Holland, the World Indoor and European Outdoor Silver medallist from last year, with a Pentathlon Best of 4683, Kelly Sotherton the British Record Holder 4733 and the European Indoor Silver Medallist from last time. Nataliya Dobrynska – Ukraine Euro Indoor Bronze Medallist has a best of 4727 but has scored 4602 this year. Austra Skujyte the Lithuanian Olympic Silver Medallist has scored 4614 this year and Aryiro Strataki set a Greek National Record this year of 4550.

Karolina Tyminska – Poland, like Ruckstuhl may not have done a pentathlon this year but was one of the best Heptathletes in the world last season.

This Championships sees Jessica compete once again against the 2005 European Junior Silver Medallist Julia Machtig of Germany. Jessica competed against Julia throughout her junior years at the World Youth Championships 2003, as well as the World Junior Championships 2005. Julia’s best of 4556 makes her one to watch.

I certainly believe it will be one of the most competitive events of the championships, and with only 18 months to the 2008 Beijing Olympics this is when the medal contenders will start to show some form.