Sotherton hoping for 'Hep-py' New Year

Commonwealth champion Kelly Sotherton will kick-start what she is hoping will be another medal-winning season in the Norwich Union International in the new year.

The Commonwealth Games heptathlon gold medallist intends to add to her medals tally at the European Indoor and World Championships.

Her 2007 campaign will get under way in earnest in Glasgow on January 27, as a guest in both the 60 metres hurdles and high jump.

Sotherton said: “Winning Commonwealth gold was great, but next year I‘ve got even more to work towards with the European Indoor Championships in March, then the World Championships in the summer.

“The Glasgow meeting will be really important because I want to get my indoor season off to a strong start. I‘m really looking forward to returning to the Kelvin Hall after running a personal best there this year.”

Sotherton will then continue her build-up towards the Euro indoors, where she is determined to overcome the indestructible Carolina Kluft.

Their clash in the five-event pentathlon on Sotherton’s training patch in Birmingham, could be one of the championship highlights.

Sotherton has not ruled out upsetting the ambitions of the superb Swede who beat her for the title 18 months ago – and is adamant victory is not a pipedream.

The 30-year-old Isle of Wight-born star was delighted with her silver-medal showing on that occasion after smashing the Commonwealth record and obliterating Julie Hollman’s British mark.

“The event is on my doorstep and I want to be in contention and break my British record,” said the midlands-based athlete.

She added: “I would like to win on home soil and I think I’ve got five strong events. The gold medal is always the aim – I’d never settle for silver.”

The Olympic bronze medallist outdoors, is also determined to atone for her disappointing performance at the 2005 World Championships, a poor javelin throw ultimately costing her the bronze medal.

Sotherton is now taking advice from former world bronze medallist Mick Hill and is hoping his expert tutelage will see her finally master the weakest discipline in the seven-event heptathlon.