Karen Shinkins has already competed in six 400-metre races in five countries during the 2006 outdoor campaign. Shinkins, who easily met the 53.40 standard for the 400 metres to qualify for the 2006 European Championships in Göteborg, Sweden in her first race this season, is now in search of the more difficult mark needed for the 2007 World Championships. The 'A' Standard, as required by Athletics Ireland, is 51.50 to qualify for the 2007 IAAF World Championships slated Osaka, Japan to be contested from 25th August through 2nd September.

Shinkins is now coached by Pauline Davis, a World Silver Medallist for Bahamas in 1995 in both the Indoor (Barcelona, 200m) and Outdoor (Göteborg, 400m) Championships. Previous to that, she was coached by Paul Doyle of Doyle Management, whose title has changed from coach to husband.

American-based Shinkins ran 52.26 to place seventh in the 400 metres at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Gateshead, England on 11th June. The race was won by Bahamian Tonique Williams-Darling, the reigning Olympic and World 400m Champion in 50.13.

Shinkins (Dublin City Harriers) placed eighth in Race A of the 400-metre event in 52.86 at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway on 2nd June. American Sanya Richards won the race in a World-Leading 49.82.

Shinkins the Irish Outdoor 400m record-holder with her 51.07 set in Mallorca on 12th July 1999, placed third in 51.93 in the 400m at the Brasil de Atletismo Grand Prix meeting held in Belém, Brasil on 21st May. Ami Mbacké Thiam (Senegal) won the race in 50.86.

Shinkins, an Olympian in Sydney in 2000, placed sixth in the 400 metres in 52.46 at the Banamex meeting in Xalapa, Mexico on 13th May. Tonique Williams-Darling (Bahamas) was first across the line in 50.28.

Shinkins, 29, placed third in the 400m with a time of 52.62 at the Guadeloupe Grand Prix held in Baie Mahault, France on 1st May. American Mary Danner won the race in 52.09.

Shinkins, the Irish Indoor 400m record holder with her 51.58 set in Blacksburg, Virginia on 9th February 2002 ran 52.64 to place third in the 400-metre event at the Meeting International du Conseil General de la Martinique in Fort-de-France, France on 29th April. Dee Dee Trotter (USA) won the event in 51.77.