Figure skater and OWIA athlete Kailani Craine won her first NSW Senior state title in style last night at Penrith, scoring 153.76, with her best performance this season so far.
The 17-year-old also won the Junior title, but will now concentrate on her senior programs for the next few months ahead of the National Championships, again back at Penrith in early December.
It’s been a fast and furious six weeks for the current national champion who has juggled three Junior Grand Prix and Senior Challenger B events in USA and Europe, notching up PBs and showing steady technical improvement but it’s not over yet.
Kailani will meet up with her US-based coach Tiffany Chin in Graz, Austria next weekend for another Senior B Challenger.
“I’ve been to Graz before and really like it there. The senior free program last night was the best one I’ve done so far this season with more jumps cleaning up. Especially the flip and loops,” Kailani said.
Kailani delivered four strong programs over the weekend with the senior free being the stand-out performance.
“I wasn’t that happy with the Junior free and knew I could do better, so it feels good knowing I’ve got a good senior program going into Graz.”
The total score at the NSW Championships eclipses her previous personal best with the added bonus of breaking 100 points for the free program, scoring 101.55 after landing a strong opening triple flip, two triple lutzes and two triple loops.
All three spins reached Level 4 and were rewarded further with high Grade of Execution (GOE) scores by the judging panel.
Australian Olympic coaches Galina Pachin and Kylie Fennell were encouraged by Kailani’s efforts over the weekend.
“She has that fire that can’t be taught,” said Galina Pachin. “There is work to do on the lutz, which we all know but we are sure that will come with time.”
Kylie Fennell agreed, commenting that, “Kailani is delightful, very focussed and always listens. This is an exciting time for her.”
The 17-year-old also won the Junior title, but will now concentrate on her senior programs for the next few months ahead of the National Championships, again back at Penrith in early December.
It’s been a fast and furious six weeks for the current national champion who has juggled three Junior Grand Prix and Senior Challenger B events in USA and Europe, notching up PBs and showing steady technical improvement but it’s not over yet.
Kailani will meet up with her US-based coach Tiffany Chin in Graz, Austria next weekend for another Senior B Challenger.
“I’ve been to Graz before and really like it there. The senior free program last night was the best one I’ve done so far this season with more jumps cleaning up. Especially the flip and loops,” Kailani said.
Kailani delivered four strong programs over the weekend with the senior free being the stand-out performance.
“I wasn’t that happy with the Junior free and knew I could do better, so it feels good knowing I’ve got a good senior program going into Graz.”
The total score at the NSW Championships eclipses her previous personal best with the added bonus of breaking 100 points for the free program, scoring 101.55 after landing a strong opening triple flip, two triple lutzes and two triple loops.
All three spins reached Level 4 and were rewarded further with high Grade of Execution (GOE) scores by the judging panel.
Australian Olympic coaches Galina Pachin and Kylie Fennell were encouraged by Kailani’s efforts over the weekend.
“She has that fire that can’t be taught,” said Galina Pachin. “There is work to do on the lutz, which we all know but we are sure that will come with time.”
Kylie Fennell agreed, commenting that, “Kailani is delightful, very focussed and always listens. This is an exciting time for her.”
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