It’s been a meteoric international rise in one season for OWIA figure skater Kailaini Craine who will compete at the Junior World Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia, this week.
Off the back of her stunning 12th place finish at the Four Continents Championships in Korea two weeks ago, the 16-year-old national champion will be looking to rank in the top echelon of the world’s best skaters.
Last year, Kailani placed 35th in the short program at the 2014 World Juniors and did not advance to the final but so much has changed in one season starting with her first international gold medal at Lombardia, Italy in September, followed by a strong top 12 finish at a Junior Grand Prix, then a double win at the Australian Figure Skating Championships in December with the junior and senior titles.
A switch to senior ranks in January this year saw the Newcastle teenager take the silver in Poland before heading to Korea for the ISU Four Continents Championship with her Australian coach George Galanis. Her swift rise up the international standings and ability to perform and entertain was recognised by the ISU with an invite to skate in Gala Exhibition alongside World and Olympic medallists.
Known for her consistency, performance value and attention to detail, Kailani says there is always “more to do”.
Her practises in Tallinn this week have been solid as she goes about her no-nonsense approach to competing.
“I can always do better and that’s what I’m looking for,” Kailani said from Estonia. “There’s always more to do.”
Kailani is ranked 16th out of 43 competitors going into this Championship and will have the advantage of drawing to skate her short program in the later competitors on Wednesday evening (AEST).
Australia is also represented in the Junior Men’s event by 14-year-old James Min from Adelaide who is the youngest (and smallest) in the event. James qualified for World Juniors in his first international season less than three weeks ago.
To follow the World Junior Championships on twitter use #WJC2015
IMAGE: Kailani Craine in Tallinn, Estonia © Melina Simjanovic
Off the back of her stunning 12th place finish at the Four Continents Championships in Korea two weeks ago, the 16-year-old national champion will be looking to rank in the top echelon of the world’s best skaters.
Last year, Kailani placed 35th in the short program at the 2014 World Juniors and did not advance to the final but so much has changed in one season starting with her first international gold medal at Lombardia, Italy in September, followed by a strong top 12 finish at a Junior Grand Prix, then a double win at the Australian Figure Skating Championships in December with the junior and senior titles.
A switch to senior ranks in January this year saw the Newcastle teenager take the silver in Poland before heading to Korea for the ISU Four Continents Championship with her Australian coach George Galanis. Her swift rise up the international standings and ability to perform and entertain was recognised by the ISU with an invite to skate in Gala Exhibition alongside World and Olympic medallists.
Known for her consistency, performance value and attention to detail, Kailani says there is always “more to do”.
Her practises in Tallinn this week have been solid as she goes about her no-nonsense approach to competing.
“I can always do better and that’s what I’m looking for,” Kailani said from Estonia. “There’s always more to do.”
Kailani is ranked 16th out of 43 competitors going into this Championship and will have the advantage of drawing to skate her short program in the later competitors on Wednesday evening (AEST).
Australia is also represented in the Junior Men’s event by 14-year-old James Min from Adelaide who is the youngest (and smallest) in the event. James qualified for World Juniors in his first international season less than three weeks ago.
To follow the World Junior Championships on twitter use #WJC2015
IMAGE: Kailani Craine in Tallinn, Estonia © Melina Simjanovic
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