Northern Ireland’s Jenna McCorkell was in dreamland last night after becoming the first ice -skater from the province to ever qualify for the Winter Olympics following a top 20 finish in the World Championships in Los Angeles.

McCorkell needed to be in the top 24 to book her place in the Great Britain squad for the Vancouver Games next February and finished up 20th — Korea's Yu-Na Kim taking number one spot.

The 22-year-old had been in 21st position going into yesterday’s Long programme and a superb performance saw her move up a place and in turn register her best ever result at the World Championships.

The Coleraine girl, who is now rated among the world’s top 20 skaters, says her early entry into the games now gives her enough opportunity to be at her peak by the time they come around.

“This is a dream come true,” she said.

“To be selected for the Olympics was my main goal but I am very pleased with my performances here too.

“By qualifying so early this now gives me plenty of time to prepare for the Olympics next year.

“It is a superb opportunity for me and I am really excited, but the hard work starts now.

“I know that the best skaters in the world are going to be setting their targets to be among the medals and if I am to compete with them then i am going to have to be at my very best.”

McCorkell’s coach, Yuri Bureiko, was delighted to see his protege make her mark on the big stage.

“She has already bettered last year's performance by five places

overall which is a huge margin in World terms,” said the 1981 World Junior Championships silver medalist. “Jenna's goal this Worlds was to try and qualify for the Olympics next year and obtain a best ever position — she did this and in fact was 18th place in the free programme, a personal best position for the free at Worlds and in doing so notched up another two places overall.

“Jenna has now made ice skating history by becoming the first ever skater from Northern Ireland to go to the Winter Olympics and it is a fantastic achievement which has taken many years of hard work and sacrifice.

“We are very proud of her as will the whole of Northern Ireland.”