Figure skaters Brendan Kerry and Kailani Craine have earned Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic quota places for Australia after strong performances at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany.
With only seven male and six female quota spots remaining in the men's and women's singles competition, the 2018 Winter Olympians Kerry and Craine performed fantastically under the pressure of this event being their last chance to secure a quota, ensuring Australia will be represented in men's and women's singles figure skating at Beijing.
With only seven male and six female quota spots remaining in the men's and women's singles competition, the 2018 Winter Olympians Kerry and Craine performed fantastically under the pressure of this event being their last chance to secure a quota, ensuring Australia will be represented in men's and women's singles figure skating at Beijing.
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Starting with a strong third place in the short routine scoring a personal best 85.89, Kerry finished seventh in the free skate portion of the program, earning the quota as seventh overall with a combined score of 218.95.
In a tightly packed women's singles event, Craine also delivered a personal best score in the short program, scoring 61.62 to enter the free skate program ranked fourth. Finishing tenth in the free skate program, Craine finished seventh overall with a combined total of 165.35. With sixth place finisher Josefin Taljegård from Sweden, who had already secured their maximum quota spots, Craine earned the last available quota for Australia. Kerry was ecstatic and grateful to his team who helped him lock in a quota spot for Australia. "It's a moment filled with pride and relief," he said. "It's been so difficult with Covid - not competing, training and injuries. To be able to push through all of this and get the job done is an incredible feeling! "I wouldn't be here without my family, friends and coaching team. I wouldn't be the skater, athlete or person I am without them, I owe them everything." Kerry and Craine will compete in next week's Finlandia Trophy in Finland before resuming training and preparation in Russia. Ice Skating Australia is scheduled to nominate athletes for selection to the AOC in January 2022 ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February. |
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