Sky Scholar Jessica Judd set for European Cross Country Championships in Italy

Jessica Judd won silver at the Junior European Cross Country Championships in Bulgaria in 2014

Jessica Judd is thrilled to be competing at the elite level again as she prepares for Sunday's European Cross Country Championships in Italy.

The 21-year-old Sky Academy Sports Scholar battles through mud and very testing conditions on the cross country winter circuit to build up her endurance for the track season.

After a disappointing Olympic qualifying campaign, Judd surprised everyone, including herself, last week in Liverpool's Sefton Park by finishing third in the U23 age group in the European trials.

"I'm really excited to be going to the championships in Chia," Judd said. "I had it at the back of my mind but I didn't expect Liverpool to go quite so well. Running 8k was always going to be a struggle so I am over the moon to be on the team.

"I am not expecting anything in the race - just being in the team is a fantastic achievement for me. It will be good to see how I go against European competition and it's just fantastic being in an elite environment again and to wear a GB vest.

"I'm feeling good and know this is the last race before the new year so it would be good to end 2016 running for my country. This track season didn't go well for me at all so it'll be nice to put all that disappointment behind me when I line up on the start line on Sunday.

Jessica decided to be coached by her dad Mike during the summer

"Going into the track season, I feel this is a good stepping stone and a good endurance base for me to perform well from.

"I'm excited to start doing quicker training in the new year and will start incorporating some speed work after this so it's nice to finish off this winter phase with a high quality race.

"Hopefully next year will go better for me on the track but before then I will focus on having a good race Sunday."

WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS....

DEC 9 - 11: Elise Christie, World Cup short track speed skating in Shanghai

DEC 10 - 11: Quillan Isidore, BMX in St Etienne

DEC 11: Jessica Judd, European Cross Country Championships, Italy

DEC 16 - 18: Elise Christie, World Cup short track speed skating in Gangneung, South Korea

NOV 25 - DEC 22: Holly Bradshaw, South Africa training camp