Gary Richardson has boosted his chances of representing Great Britain in the European and World Championships next year with British figure skating gold.

Richardson, 23, pipped rival Michael Parr to the main honour at Sheffield on Tuesday, ahead of the National Ice Skating Association squad announcement.

"It's a great honour to represent Britain and to do it at a high level will be even greater," Richardson said.

"I have confidence in my own ability to do well in those competitions."

Richardson added: "I am absolutely thrilled to be the British champion and I can't begin to describe how I feel.

I knew I had the ability and confidence, as well as fitness to perform to my best and win. Gary Richardson

"After my short skate I knew that I had performed well, although I was two points behind Parr, who is a good all-round skater.

"I knew I had the ability and confidence, as well as fitness to perform to my best and win.

"I just wanted to stand on first place on the podium."

The European Championships in January 2011 will take place in Bern, Switzerland, while the World Championships are held in Nagano, Japan next March.

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