Lorraine Winstanley post Q-School Interview: 'It was a whole different experience and one I felt extremely comfortable in'

Lorraine Winstanley was part of a group of some of the best ladies darts players to attempt PDC Q-School recently in a four days highlighted with the Buxton ace defeating John Part.

Winstanley spoke to after this and said that it was a different experience but one she felt comfortable in. Also on Part, she said that it was a privilege to play the multiple time World Champion and to beat him. 'I loved Q-School. It was a whole different experience and one I felt extremely comfortable in. I played some great darts and it was a privilege to play John and even more exciting to beat him,' said Winstanley. Winstanley of course reached the Lakeside final recently missing out to Mikuru Suzuki She said that while she was gutted, she was also proud. 'Obviously I was gutted to have come so close to getting my name on that trophy but I’m immensely proud of getting to the final. It wasn’t my year this time. Mikuru was fantastic and hopefully this will bring exciting times for the BDO and ladies darts. Of course I still got my eyes on that trophy it’s been my ambition for a long time.' As well as playing at Q-School, Winstanley took part in this past weekend's Challenge Tour action on Saturday in Wigan. Like Q-School; she really enjoyed the experience and hopes to do more as the year goes on. 'I loved playing in my first Challenge Tour. I was only able to attend the Saturday this time, but I will definitely be doing more of them when they don’t clash with BDO tournaments.' Lisa Ashton at the same Q-School nearly claimed a Tour Card and the Buxton ace agreed that the standard has soared in the past few years. 'The standard of the ladies game has soared over the last few years so everyone has had to raise their game. Lisa (Ashton) is the stand out lady at the moment but there are a few of us striving to succeed' Des Jacklin, chairman of the BDO spoke last week that the prize money for the ladies tournaments . Winstanley said that the gap being reduced would be great but that both sets of players will never be equal money wise. 'The ladies prize money has been way behind the men as long as I’ve known it. I understand that fewer numbers mean less input and therefore less payout than the men; but hopefully if sponsors are attracted to increase the prize funds this will in turn encourage more ladies to compete. There will never be equality in the prize funds, but a lesser gap would be great.' Winstanley when asked about her ambitions said that while her long term ambition is to be World Champion, she wants to be picked for the England team again; as well as visiting new countries this year. ‘My ambition is to be World Champion.... whether it’s next year or any other year. For this year my goals are to be selected for the England team again; continue to play at a high standard and be seeded for the 2020 World Championships. Hopefully I’m visiting some new countries along the way.’ Interview conducted by Samuel Gill, writer for DartsNews.com.