The Winter Youth Olympic Games in January was a turning point for fifteen year-old Australian figure skater Chantelle Kerry, who surprised herself with a ninth placing. After the Four Continents Championship in February last month, the vivacious, smiling Kerry subsequently gained selection to her first World Championships in Nice, France and will be competing in the qualifying round tomorrow.
The 2012 World Championship is her first and keeping it all in the family is coached by her mother, 1988 Olympian Monica McDonald. The family affair doesn’t stop there with Chantelle being joined by her seventeen year-old brother, and also competing in his first World Championship.
Chantelle is looking to place in the top ten in the qualifying round to move through to the Short Program. With thirty-three ladies, it’s a tall order for one of the youngest competitors.
“We never expected Chantelle to be at this event,” said excited mum, Monica McDonald, “but the opportunity came up, so we took it.”
Assisting Olympic coach in Sydney, Kylie Fennell believes Chantelle could be a dark horse in the qualifying. “Chantelle has kept working, doing her thing and flying under the radar. Her jumps have improved, with two of her triples coming clean in the past few weeks. Also in her favour is a delightful presence on the ice and very strong spins,” Kylie said.
Australian Men’s Champion, 17 year-old AIS figure skater Brendan Kerry has his sights set on the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and will also need to qualify tomorrow. Three weeks ago he finished 22nd in the finals at the 2012 World Junior Championships.
The 2012 World Championship is her first and keeping it all in the family is coached by her mother, 1988 Olympian Monica McDonald. The family affair doesn’t stop there with Chantelle being joined by her seventeen year-old brother, and also competing in his first World Championship.
Chantelle is looking to place in the top ten in the qualifying round to move through to the Short Program. With thirty-three ladies, it’s a tall order for one of the youngest competitors.
“We never expected Chantelle to be at this event,” said excited mum, Monica McDonald, “but the opportunity came up, so we took it.”
Assisting Olympic coach in Sydney, Kylie Fennell believes Chantelle could be a dark horse in the qualifying. “Chantelle has kept working, doing her thing and flying under the radar. Her jumps have improved, with two of her triples coming clean in the past few weeks. Also in her favour is a delightful presence on the ice and very strong spins,” Kylie said.
Australian Men’s Champion, 17 year-old AIS figure skater Brendan Kerry has his sights set on the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and will also need to qualify tomorrow. Three weeks ago he finished 22nd in the finals at the 2012 World Junior Championships.
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