Kelly Sotherton gave an early indication that her Commonwealth Games plans are on course, despite admitting she was disappointed with her efforts in the Norwich Union World Indoor Trials and AAA Championships in Sheffield.
The Birchfield Harrier enjoyed a successful weekend at the English Institute of Sport where she set a personal best in the long jump, equalled her best of 1.81 metres in the high jump and threw a respectable 13.94m in the shot put.
But the 2004 Olympic heptathlon bronze medallist was not entirely satisfied.
"It's not bad for the first one out," she said. "I feel a bit disappointed because I am always striving for perfection. It shows my preparations for Melbourne are going well I guess.
Sotherton set a new personal best of 6.53m in a consistent set of leaps in the long jump to win the competition ahead of Jade Johnson.
"It's nice to get out of the 6.40s" said Sotherton. "It's been a long time coming and it's nice to get it here as I don't normally do well here."
European silver medallist Johnson was thrilled to return to competition following a career-threatening back injury. The Herne Hill Harrier registered just one legal jump, an effort of 6.35m, but was just relieved to have competed pain-free.
Birchfield's Amy Harris took fifth place with 6.20m.
Club-mate Tiombe Hurd won the women's triple jump with 13.67m.
Illness prevented Birch-field's Nathan Morgan competing in the long jump won by Leigh Smith with 7.56m. The Commonwealth champion, who suffered an upset stomach, must now attain the qualifying standard of 8.10m for the World Indoors in Moscow next week in Birmingham.
Karen Harewood described herself as "completely gutted" after being pipped for the 800 metres title.
The 30-year-old took the lead after 300m but could not shake off Jenny Meadows, who then took the race on the line in two minutes 02.41 seconds with Harewood one hundredth of a second behind.
Although both athletes were inside the qualifying time for the World Indoor Champion-ships in Moscow, only the winner is guaranteed selection and it came as a great disappointment to Harewood, who had become the third fastest Briton over 800m indoors last month.
Nicola Sanders was stunned after becoming the second-fastest Briton over 400m indoors, despite being a hurdles specialist. The 23-year-old from Windsor led from start to finish to cross the line metres ahead of Birchfield's Helen Karagounis in 50.72secs, breaking the national 300m record in the process.
Basingstoke's Robert Tobin recorded the fastest 400m in the world this year while Woodford's Tim Abeyie completed the men's sprint double when he won the 200m in 20.96secs. The 23-year-old had clocked 6.64secs in the 60m on Saturday.
