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Craine 22nd at Figure Skating World Championships

27/3/2022

 
Competing in her sixth World Championships, two time Olympian Kailani Craine has finished in 22nd place in Montpellier, France.

Craine advanced to the free skate in 22nd place, after scoring 56.64 points in the short program.

In the free skate, she received a score of 105.11 from the judges, giving her a total score of 161.75, and remained in 22nd for her final ranking.

Also representing Australian in Montpellier, were the ice dance couple of Holly Harris and Jason Chan.

Harris and Chan recorded a World Championship personal best finish of 18th place, after scoring 64.91 in the rhythm dance and 95.01 in the free dance,giving them a total score of 159.92 points.

Kailani's Olympic campaign ends on the short program

16/2/2022

 
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It was a tough day on the ice for Kailani Craine, but the Newcastle skater put on a brave performance despite an early error.
 
The two-time Olympian looked calm and confident as her music started, but pulled out of her opening triple lutz - only rotating twice to execute a double jump.

"I was in shock, I don't know what happened. I'm still trying to process it," Kailani said.

"That's so uncharacteristic of me and it shook me a bit. It felt like I picked too heavy on the takeoff and didn't run my edge."

But in a remarkable show of courage the 23-year-old rallied quickly, completing a triple-triple combination and a double axel.

"I was really proud of myself for getting straight back into the program and feeling really present in the music, it felt really emotional and I gave it my best.

"The hardest part is knowing that I can do so much better than that, and I'm sorry if I disappointed anyone.

"I felt like I had the most support I've ever had from people back home and it hurts that I couldn't deliver for everyone."

Her short program score of 49.93 was not high enough to proceed to the free skate on Thursday.

Despite an early end to her Beijing schedule, it's not the end of the road for the talented figure skater - who will return to competition for the World Championships in March.

"I'm determined to come back stronger from this. Right now it hurts, but once I have time to process it I'm going to learn from my mistakes and be better."

olympics.com.au
Katherine Firkin

Kerry and Craine lock in Olympic Figure Skating quotas for Beijing

30/9/2021

 
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.
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.
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brendan Kerry (@br3ndan.k)

Craine and Harris/Chan narrowly miss finals at World Championships

28/3/2021

 
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2018 NSWIS Olympian Kailani Craine has just fallen short of qualifying for the free program at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Stockholm, Sweden, finishing in 26th place.

The 22-year-old from Newcastle scored 56.86 points in the opening short program at the World Championships, missing out on the 24-woman-final by just two spots in 26th place.

The women's podium was was an historic clean sweep for Russia, with 16-year-old Anna Shcherbakova taking victory with Yelizaveta Tuktamysheva in second place and Aleksandra Trusova in third.

In the Ice Dance event, Australia was represented by Holly Harris and Jason Chan who also just fell short of advancing to finals.

The Ice Dance couple finished the rhythm dance program in 24th place, missing out by four places for the free dance in their World Championship debut.

Victory in the ice dance also went to Russia, with the team of Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov in first, with Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue of the USA in second and Canadian pair Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier rounding out the podium in third.

Unfortunately two time Olympian Brendan Kerry was unable to compete in the men's due to an injury sustained earlier in the season.

IMAGE: Kailani Craine at the World Championships in Stockholm

Athlete Update

30/11/2020

 
Alpine Skiing
Greta Small continued her injury rehabilitation at the AIS in Canberra making great progress with the Strength and Conditioning Staff in the gym before heading to Jindabyne for most of the winter to return to on snow training. After leaving Jindabyne, Small returned to the AIS for a further six-week intensive Strength and Conditioning bock.
 
Small is planning on heading to Europe for on snow training in mid December.
 
Bobsleigh
Bree Walker has been in Europe since last winter preparing for the northern hemisphere season, and has taken part in a number of successful push and sliding camp activities.
 
Unfortunately, Walker was unable to compete at opening two World Cup events in Sigulda, Latvia, after a member of her support team tested positive for COVID.
 
Bree is now planning for the next event on the Bobsleigh World Cup tour in Innsbruck, Austria, on December 12-13.
 
Curling
Mixed doubles pair Dean Hewitt & Tahli Gill have been training in their home states, with Hewitt at the Victorian Institute of Sport and Gill at the Queensland Academy of Sport.

With International travel restrictions in place it has been very difficult to access overseas Curling Ice to date.

The pair are aiming to be back on the ice training perhaps in Asia, by January in preparation for the 2021 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships in late April. The event has been moved to Europe, with the exact location to be announced.
 
Figure Skating
Brendan Kerry has been based in Europe, training in France and Russia.
 
Kerry was scheduled to compete in the Internationaux de France ISU Grand Prix event in mid November, but it was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID restrictions in France.
 
Kailani Craine has remained at home in Newcastle training at her local ice rink, with Ice Dance couple Chantelle Kerry Andrew Dodds also training in Sydney.
 
Skeleton
Jackie Narracott has been training in Bath, UK, preparing for the northern hemisphere winter.
 
Narracott is currently evaluating the best plan, locations and opportunities for training and competition during the international season due to the difficult COVID situation in Europe.

Countdown to the World Figure Skating Championships

2/3/2020

 
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The Australian Figure Skating community is very excited for our team at the upcoming ISU World Figure Skating Championships being held in Montreal, Canada, later this month.

Our team almost covered every discipline, however the very recent and unexpected split of our Junior World & Junior Grand Prix Pair Champions has left a hole in the team.

This year’s Championship will feature for the first time ever the ISU World Skating Awards with our ice princess, Olympian Kailani Craine nominated in the best costume category. Kailani will compete in the ladies division alongside two time Olympian Brendan Kerry in the mens.

In the ice dance division we have a brilliant new couple Holly Harris and Jason Chan competing in their first World Championship.  

Be sure to tune in for what promises to deliver fantastic performances from our team.

Next year, for the first time ever, Ice Skating Australia will host the prestigious ISU Four Continents Championships in Sydney at Olympic Park Feb. 9-14, 2021.

These Championships will feature the top ranked skaters from US, Canada, Japan, China and Australia in the important pre Winter Olympic year.

Article courtesy of Peter Lynch/Ice Skating Australia

IMAGE: Australian National Champions and our representative at the World Championships, Kailani Craine, Brendan Kerry, Holly Harris and Jason Chan  © Michael Santer Photography

Kerry and Craine continue amazing national title streak

6/12/2019

 
PictureOWIA Figure Skating Athletes Kailani Craine, Brendan Kerry, Chantelle Kerry and Andrew Dodds.
Olympians Brendan Kerry and Kailani Craine have continued to extend their impressive list of national titles, after both claimed victory at the Australian Figure Skating Championships at the O’Brien Icehouse in Melbourne.

The two skaters have had an impressive decade as Australia's leading Figure Skating athletes, highlighted by two Olympic Games appearances for Kerry, with Craine becoming an Olympian for the first time in 2018.
 
Kerry took out his eighth national title in impressive fashion, scoring 216.11 points, to finish ahead of James Min and Damian Kaptich.

In the Senior Ladies, Craine won her sixth national title, with a comprehensive win ahead of Yancey Chan and Ashley Colliver.
 
Holly Harris and Jason Chan won their first national Senior Ice Dance title, finishing ahead of last years winners Chantelle Kerry & Andrew Dodds in second, with Matilda Friend and William Badaoui rounding out the podium in third.
 
Unfortunately Pairs skaters Harley Windsor and Ekaterina "Katya" Alexandrovskaya were unable to compete, due to an injury sustained by Alexandrovskaya in training prior to the competition.

The event was a great showcase of Australian Figure Skating, with strong participation and crowds over the week at the O'Brien Icehouse facility.
 
Podium Images 
©  Michael Santer Photography

Kerry 20th at World Champs

25/3/2019

 
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The 2019 ISU Figure Skating World Championships have taken place in Saitama City, Japan, with two-time Olympian producing the best Australian result.
 
Kerry finished his short program in 21st place, to qualify for the free skate.
 
In the free skate, he again finished the round in 21st, giving him an overall placing of 20th place.
 
2018 Olympian Kailani Craine finished the short program in 36th place and was unable to qualify for the free skate.
 
Also in action for Australia was the Ice Dance couple of Chantelle Kerry and Andrew Dodds who finished 26th.

Australian team ready for World Figure Skating Championships

19/3/2019

 
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PyeongChang 2018 Olympian's Brendan Kerry and Kailani Craine headline the Australian team competing at the 2019 ISU Figure Skating Championships to be held in Saitama City, Japan, this week.

Kerry is full of confidence following a ninth place result at the recent Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, where he achieved personal best scores and landed a total of three quads in the short and free program.

Also competing for Australia will be the Ice Dance team of Chantelle Kerry and Andrew Dodds.

Schedule

Wednesday, March 20

Pairs - Short Program
Ladies - Short Program

Thursday, March 21
Pairs - Free Skating
Men - Short Program

Friday, March 22
Ice Dance - Rhythm Dance
Ladies - Free Skating

Saturday, March 23
Ice Dance - Free Dance
Men - Free Skating

Sunday, March 24
Gala Exhibition

IMAGE - Brendan Kerry at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championship last month in Anaheim, CA, USA © Brendan Kerry Instagram

Four Continents PB for Kerry

12/2/2019

 
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Two-time Olympian Brendan Kerry has achieved his best ever finish at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Anaheim, CA, USA, with a ninth place performance.

The result betters his previous best performance at the Four Continents, which was an 11th place finish in 2017 in Gangneung, Korea.

Even more impressive for Kerry was that he achieved a personal best total points score of 224.44, and 147.63 personal best for the free skate round.

His PB scores come on the back of landing a total of three quads between the short and free program. 

Also in action for Australia in the men's event was Andrew Dodds, who achieved personal bests for total score, short program, and free skate to finish in 13th and Mark Webster who also had personal best scores, finishing in 24th.

In the ladies event, 2018 Olympian Kailani Craine made a strong start to the competition with a tenth place short program, achieving a personal best score of 60.64.

In the free skate, Craine moved back in the standings with a 17th place finish, which gave her an overall ranking of 15th for the event.

Unfortunately 2014 Olympian Brooklee Han suffered an injury in official practice and was unable to compete in the ladies free skate. Han was in 14th place after the short program before her injury.

Australia had two couples compete in the Ice Dance, with Chantelle Kerry and Andrew Dodds in tenth, with Matilda Friend and William Badaoui in 12th.

IMAGE - Backstage with Brendan Kerry at the Four Continents © Ice Skating Australia

Australian Figure Skating Championships - Senior Champions

13/12/2018

 
The Australian Figure Skating Championships took place during November 30-December 7 at Macquarie Ice Rink in Sydney.

Congratulations to the following athletes crowned Senior Australian Champions:

Pairs - Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya and Harley Windsor
Ice Dance - Chantelle Kerry and Andrew Dodds
Ladies - Kailani Craine
Men - Brendan Kerry

World Championships beckon for Olympic figure skaters

19/3/2018

 
PictureKailani Craine in PyeongChang. Photo: Getty Images
After a long season, Australia’s Olympic figure skaters have one more major event on their calendars this week before they can rest easy.
 
Kailani Craine, Harley Windsor and Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya and Brendan Kerry have arrived in Milan, Italy for the 2018 World Figure Skating Championships this week.
 
With many PyeonChang medallists either retiring, injured or electing to miss the final event, the chance to move up the rankings is a prime target for the Aussies.
 
First to compete on Tuesday in the women’s short program is Kailani Craine who is still on a high from her 17th place in PyeongChang.
 
“This whole experience has been everything I hoped for and more,” she said in PyeongChang. “I just wanted two clean skates and I did that.”

PicturePair skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya and Harley Windsor during their short program at the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games 2018. Photo: Getty Images.
Pair skaters Katia Alexandrovskaya and Harley Windsor, who placed 16th at last year’s World Championships, were disappointed not to have made the free program in PyeongChang after a strong short program placing 18th.  
 
“We’re doing normal comp prep, running programs and doing simulations,” Windsor said from Moscow where they have been training for the past ten days.  
 
“The ice is good and we are skating two hours a day.  I’m coping with it (away from home) better than I used to but not coping with the cold. Everything else is OK.”
 
“We definitely want a PB and to get through the short clean,” he said.
 
Technically the pair have the arsenal to move them upward and have been working on the performance side.
 
“I’ll have to find more feeling within myself to a certain extent. Part of it is enjoying the program and sport and not doing it just for the sake of it – otherwise you never get that extra percent.”
 
For Katia, the past three years since her father passed away in January 2015, has seen many changes.
 
“2015 was so hard for me because all year was awful after my father passed away in January. December 1st was Dad’s birthday and then on December 2nd Nina told me about Harley and that was the day we started skating together.”  
 
“Then it was Australia by January. It’s so different (to Russia). Like night and day.”
 
“Of course I never thought about Olympics. I didn’t think I’d go because it was such a short time since we started.”
 
The rise of Australia’s first pair team to win a Junior World Championships, place 16th at Worlds last year, a Senior Challenger event and be crowned as Junior Grand Prix champions last December and qualify for PyeongChang is only just sinking in.  
 
“The pressure (in PyeongChang) wasn’t more than I expected. We skated well but the scores were not so good. We did a lot of work and it was a big experience for us.”
 
“Olympics is in my heart. I take all of the emotions from PyeongChang and they will be forever in my heart.”
 
“The Opening was so exciting. So cool and amazing. When you are watching on TV it’s different. It’s not like this when you go by yourself,” she said.
 
My mum and family were watching and I was so long time on the TV!”
 
Katia’s mother, also named Ekaterina did not travel to PyeongChang to watch her daughter but may consider Beijing. Although Katia is not so sure.
 
“Mum can’t watch because she really worries when we do elements. She watches the video after.”
 
After a few weeks back in Sydney, the duo headed back to Moscow for more training with coaches Andrei Pachin and Andrei Hekalo.
 
“The throws are good in Moscow,” Alexandrovskaya said. “In training today we did a clean full long program.so, I’m very happy.”
 
“It’s been a long season. I am waiting for this rest. I will go back to Moscow from Milan and have a big rest. Mentally and physically I am really tired because this season started in September. There’s a holiday with mum to look forward to.”

PictureTwo-time Olympian Brendan Kerry. Photo: Getty Images
Brendan Kerry has an opportunity to march up the world rankings with two of the three Olympic medallists (Hanyu and Fernandez) out of the world championships.
 
Kerry’s PyeongChang Olympics with a stellar short program and final 20th place delivered the redemption he was seeking from Sochi and admits to feeling more confident with his skating now.
 
“Since coming back from the Olympics I’ve felt very stress free on the ice,” Kerry said.
 
“Usually I wake up and know how many days until I leave for the next comp. Headed into worlds I just wake up and am like OK, time to get ready and head to the rink.”

“I’m pretty exhausted mentally as the past four years have been for one moment  and now - it’s passed,” Kerry said.
 
“So - it’s a really strange feeling heading into this worlds. I feel confident about how I’m going to skate though -  that’s exciting. However, I am definitely ready to have some downtime at the end of this season before the next four year run.”
 
The 2018 World Figure Skating Championships in Milan begin this Wednesday with the women’s short program followed by the pairs short.
 
SBS Australia are live streaming the entire event. Check your local guides for more information.
 
Results and more information can be found here  

Belinda Noonan
OWIA

 


Craine sparkles with super Free Skate

24/2/2018

 
PictureKailani Craine of Australia competes during the Ladies Single Skating Free Skating on day fourteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 23, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. © 2018 Getty Images
Kailani Craine has finished her first Olympic campaign with another strong skate and a new season’s best in the Free program.

The 19-year-old waved at family members as she stepped on the ice, looking relaxed and at home on the world’s biggest stage.

“My legs were shaking a bit as I waited to get on, but once I was out there it all felt really natural – I was just so excited to be out there again,” Craine said.

“I wanted to really enjoy this whole experience and I did that.”

Craine opened with a triple lutz – double toe loop combination, before successfully executing all twelve of her elements.

“This whole experience has been everything I hoped for and more,” she saidsaid. “I just wanted two clean skates and I did that.

“This whole event has been a dream come true and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’m just so happy and proud.”

Skating to a mix from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, Craine sparkled in a new outfit.

“I got my dressmaker to make me a new outfit for this routine and I couldn’t have felt better out there, I felt so good.
“And to have my family here and my teammates, it has honestly been such a wonderful experience.”

Craine ended her Olympic debut ranked 17th overall. Alina Zagitova - who is only 15 years-old - and Evagenia Medvedeva, two Olympic Athletes from Russia, won gold and silver, and Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond won bronze.

Craine’s score of 111.84 was a new season's best, taking her total combined score from the two programs to 168.61, and will give the young skater confidence as she looks ahead to the future.

“I hope to be back in four years time and I’m going to work so hard to be even better next time,” she said.

“I’ve learnt so much from watching the top girls here and made so many friends.

“I'm so inspired I just can’t wait to see what the future brings.”

Katherine Firkin
olympics.com.au


Dream debut for Craine

22/2/2018

 
Picture Kailani Craine of Australia competes during the Ladies Single Skating Short Program on day twelve of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 21, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. © 2018 Getty Images
Olympic debutant Kailani Craine has sailed through to the free skate of the Ladies Figure Skating, after a stunning short program which included a strong double axel and triple-double jump combination.

The 19-year-old impressed with her trademark artistic skills, performing to ‘dream a little dream of me.’

“That was great, that really was a dream,” Craine said immediately after her performance.

“My main goal was just to have a clean skate and get through to the free skate and I’ve done that so I can’t ask for much more.

“I’ve been feeling good the last few days and it’s felt like everything just went right for me, so I’m glad I was able to go out and do that.”

The Newcastle native was supported in the crowd by her parents, and skating teammates.

“The fans were amazing and I loved looking up and seeing the Aussie colours in the stands,” she said.

“Having mum and dad here was amazing. I really felt like they were out there skating with me.

“They’ve been on this journey with me from the very start and this is very much their Olympics as much as mine.”

Carine’s score of 56.77 saw her qualify straight through to Friday’s Free Skate.

Katherine Firkin
olympics.com.au


Kailani finds her feet

13/2/2018

 
PictureFigure skater Kailani Craine with coach Tiffany Chin after a practice session in PyeongChang. Photo: Katherine Firkin
She may have waited all her life for this moment, but Aussie figure skater Kailani Craine admits it’s taken her a while to settle in to the Olympic Village.

“It didn’t actually sink in for a few days,” Craine said.

“I felt so excited when I arrived, but then it was all a bit hard to believe. I ran around meeting lots of people and trying to see everything, but it still didn’t really feel like it was all real.


“My first practices were a bit shaky too, and my skating wasn’t as strong as I would have liked. I just felt a bit strange.”

But the 19-year-old said the privilege of marching in the Opening Ceremony, helped to ground her to reality.

“I was sitting in the bus with my teammates on the way to the mountain, and I looked at them and saw they were all dressed in the same uniform and it suddenly hit me.

“I let out a little yell of excitement. I was like ‘I’m actually here.’”

“Walking in to the stadium for the Opening Ceremony was everything I hoped for and more. I can’t actually describe how amazing it was.”

Since then, Craine says she’s settled down, and is getting into a good rhythm.

“It was like I needed the Opening Ceremony to wake me up a bit,” she said. “Now I realise I’m actually at the Olympics and this is the only thing I’ve wanted my whole life and I’m going to make the most of every single day.”

The Newcastle skater has also been helped by the arrival of her coach, Los Angeles based Tiffany Chin, who flew in last night.

“I’m so happy to have Tiffany with me now, and just having her on the barriers to remind me of little things to help my technique. Everything is feeling a lot better.”

She’ll also be joined by her parents and her grandparents in a few days, something she says will aid her motivation to perform.

“I really feel like it’s all of us out there competing, not just me. My family has sacrificed so much for me to do this and they’ve been on this journey every step of the way, so it won’t be just me out there on the ice, it will be all of us.”

Craine will skate her short program on Day 12 (February 21), and her free skate on Day 14 (February 23).

Katherine Firkin
olympics.com.au 


Australia’s ice princess set for fairytale skate

9/2/2018

 
PictureKailani Craine. Photo: Getty Images
FIGURE SKATING: Many consider it the most glamourous sport of the Winter Olympics program, and Australia’s figure skating hopeful Kailani Craine is more than ready to take centre stage.

“I am so excited to be here, I really can’t put into words what this means to me,” Craine said.

“This is the one thing I’ve wanted all my life and now I’m here.”

It’s been something of a fairytale rise through the ranks for the Newcastle teen. Craine started skating when she was eight, and quickly realised her potential.

“I just fell in love with the sport straight away, and that made all the hard work so much easier. I just really love what I do.”

But the four-time Australian Ladies Figure Skating Champion admits her hardest task lies ahead – her goal is to rank in the top 24 of the short program, to qualify for the free skate.

“I really, really want to be there for the free skate, I’m just so excited about that routine,” Craine said.

“I’m feeling good. I’m even getting my dressmaker to design a new costume for that program so I’m really hoping I get to wear it.

“I know that if I throw down a solid performance and have a clean skate it will be enough to get through. I just can’t let the little things slip.”

And speaking of slipping, the 19-year-old says she won’t let the fear of falling even enter her mind.

“I only focus on my technique, and I never doubt myself,” she said.

“I’ve waited so long for this moment, and I’m going to give it everything. I’m just so excited and I really just can’t wait to get out there.”

Her choice of music in the short program – ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ – is perhaps fitting then, as Craine waits to skate her dreams into reality.

Craine competes in the Ladies Short Program on Day 12 (February 21). The free skate will be held on Day 14 (February 23).

Katherine Firkin
olympics.com.au 


Figure skaters to take on Taipei before PyeongChang

23/1/2018

 
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Australia’s figure skaters are preparing for their last opportunity to test their programs ahead of the PyeongChang Games at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Taipei, Taiwan this week.
 
Among the first to be selected for the Olympic Team, wonder pair Harley Windsor and Katia Alexandrovskaya capped off 2017 winning the Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan.
 
The current Junior World Champions, who have now won a total of five international victories and one third place podium result, said that they we’re feeling “ready for the competition”.
 
“Our session just now was relatively good and in the morning it wasn’t bad either,” Windsor said.
 
“We normally skate really well if we do a comp and then another not long after. It’s worked alright for us this season so I guess this will just be like a practice for us for PyeongChang.
 
“We had a big gap in between the Junior Grand Prix Final and this so we felt like this was sort of necessary to do before the Games.”
 
The pair, who will make their first Olympic debut in February, are unsure of how to feel about the looming Winter Games.
 
“We’ve never been and we don’t know how to feel because everyone’s told me that it’s not like a normal Junior or Senior World Championships … it’s the Games,” Alexandrovskaya said.
 
“There’s certainly a lot more hype around it but it’s our first one so I don’t really know what I’m meant to feel or how I’m meant to react to it,” Windsor added.
 
Fellow Aussie Kailani Craine, who wrapped up 2017 by winning her fourth consecutive national title at the Australian Figure Skating Championships in December, said Four Continents is her ideal Olympic test run.

Picture
“This competition for me is just a practice for the Olympics so hopefully I’m not really changing anything between the two competitions,” she said.
 
“I plan on doing my triple-triple combo in the Olympics so I really want to try and get that out there one more time, I’ve done it in the past two competitions but getting one more run at it will be good and just practicing the programs another time.
 
“I’m so excited, I could go tomorrow. It feels like it’s coming so slow but I’m sure it’ll come right around the corner. I’m really excited and I Want to do well at this competition so I can go back to Australia, back home, and have a few days before I leave for Korea.”
 
Sochi Olympian Brendan Kerry, who previously said that “being selected for the Olympic team again is a huge motivation” for championship events, will also compete in Taipei.

"4CC isn't so much a practice run for the Games as it is a testing event," he said.

"I really want to see what's ready and what needs work before the Games so I can go out and do two clean skates come PyeongChang.

"My biggest focus at this event is for the Short Program to go out with 2 quads. The Free I'm focusing a lot more on being strong the whole way through rather than trying to save myself for the ending."

The large Australian team also includes 2014 Sochi Olympian Brooklee Han in Ladies, dancers Matilda Friend and William Baddoui plus Chantelle Kerry and Andrew Dodds. Joing Brendan Kerry in the men's are Andrew Dodds (competing dance and mens) and Mark Webster.
 
The Four Continents Figure Skating Championships kick off on Wednesday 24 January with the pair and women’s short programs. For results click HERE or follow OWIA on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE for live updates.

David Barden
OWIA

Craine shines and Kerry fights back in national title wins

8/12/2017

 
Picture2017 Australian Figure Skating Champions Brendan Kerry and Kailani Craine. Photo: Michael Santer Oz Skating Magazine.
In a comprehensive victory, Kailani Craine has won her fourth consecutive national title surpassing her personal best score by nearly five points at the Australian Figure Skating Championships in Brisbane.

23-year-old Brendan Kerry made it a six-time win, coming from well behind in the short program with a fighting free program to retain his crown as Australia’s Men’s Champion.

Kailani had a spectacular national’s campaign with a clean short program that included a triple/triple combo and backing up with two triple lutzes in her free program to Moulin Rouge, achieving a PB total of 172.06 points.

“I love my short program,” she said.

In second place was the new junior national champion Amelia Jackson from Queensland who backed up by making the podium in senior ranks and in third was veterinary science student Katie Pasfield from NSW.

Struggling with multiple international flights and jet lag, Brendan Kerry skated a horror short program, missing every jump and ending up fifth on 57.17 points. He had his work cut out to catch short program leader Mark Webster who was on 65.03 points leading into the free program.

Fighting back to overhaul an eight-point lead, Kerry landed two triple axels and a triple/triple combo in the free program, earning 197.29 points, which was enough to secure the title ahead of Andrew Dodds on 190.80 and Mark Webster on 184.51, both of whom also skated strong free programs.  

Kerry had been testing out the order of the quad jump elements at the recent Shanghai Trophy in China and at the national championships.

“I wanted to see if I felt comfortable with the quad salchow as the first element, so we tried it in Shanghai but I didn’t want to base a decision off one comp, so nationals was a safe testing ground,” Kerry said.

“I’m definitely now able to sort the order of elements to put out strong consistent skates from here on out.”
Kerry will return to his new training base in New Jersey next week.  

“I’m looking at getting in some really solid training time without having to bounce around for comps. They were disappointing skates at nationals but I’m really happy I pulled up and won my sixth title. It’s important to me, especially heading into the Olympics.”

“At nationals I wanted a clean second half and when the loop didn’t happen, I was angry.”

Paris Stephens and Matthew Dodds took out the pairs championships and new dance team this year Chantelle Kerry and Andrew Dodds were impressive in their first championship together winning the dance.

Belinda Noonan
OWIA



Kerry and Craine on home soil for national titles

6/12/2017

 
PictureBrendan Kerry is going after his sixth national title. Photo: Carly Gold
The Australian Figure Skating Championships in Brisbane this week will provide national champions Brendan Kerry and Kailani Craine with an almost last opportunity to test their programs ahead of the PyeongChang Games next February.

Both skaters have returned from their US training bases for the senior national titles in Brisbane to be held Thursday 7 and Friday 8 December at Boondall Ice World.

Kailani Craine (19) will be going after her fourth consecutive title, while five-time Champion Brendan Kerry (22) will be seeking his sixth.

Craine intends to test out harder technical content in her short program.

“I'm really looking forward to the nationals this year. I always love competing in front of a home crowd, and I really hope to deliver a personal best performance,” she said.

“It's also an excellent opportunity to practice my routines before the Olympic Games with harder content, especially in my short program.”

“This year has been so exciting for me, so I hope to finish with my tenth overall national title (in all divisions). It's always a fun time catching up with my fellow team mates and I love to see how much everyone improves each year.”

Kerry is expected to have a smooth ride to his sixth title.

“It’s important to come home and do nationals because as Australia’s best I feel obligated to come back to defend my title and compete alongside the up and coming Australian skaters,” Kerry said.  

“At this event I want to try and see what’s comfortable and what isn’t in regards to the order of elements headed into the Olympics. The new free program is going really well so far and transitioning from a thought process to more of a go to set of actions.”

Pair champions Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya and Harley Windsor will not be in Brisbane to defend their 2016 crown but competing on the same days in the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan.

2016 Ice Dance Champions Matilda Friend and William Baddoui are also out of this year’s championships after William sustained a broken ankle in training a few months ago.

The Australian Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Ice Skating Queensland Facebook page.

Entry to all events are free of charge at Boondall Ice World, Sandgate Road, Boondall. The Senior Men’s short program starts at 8.40pm (AEST) Thursday, 8 December and the Ladies at 9.50pm.

The final free programs on Friday, 9 December begin at 11am (AEST).

A competition schedule can be found at http://www.isa.org.au/afsc


Shanghai Trophy mixes it up for ice sports

27/11/2017

 
PictureKailani Craine unveiled a fun new gala exhibition program in Shanghai. Photo: Kailani Craine Instagram
Under an unusual format for international ice sports, the invitational only Shanghai Trophy in China combined figure skating, short track  and synchronised team competitions over four days culminating in an ‘All On Ice’ gala on Sunday evening.

Australia was represented in the limited-entry events in figure skating by Brendan Kerry and Kailani Craine and in Short Track by Deanna Lockett.

The competition formats with only a free program for the figure skaters and varying distances for short track provided a change from the usual routine.

The best result came from Brendan Kerry who placed fourth of six competitors in the free program with 149.15 points, landing one quad jump and two triple axels scoring less than four points shy of his personal best.

“The event was fun and much less tiring as I didn’t have to perform the short program beforehand,” Kerry said of the new-look competition.

“We all enjoyed such a small event. Everyone gets along really well, so it’s safe to say we all had that competitive mentality but also all enjoyed it.”

Kerry, who has changed coaches to Nikolai Morozov and changed his training base to New Jersey, USA, took away a few positives from Shanghai.  

“Overall the PCs (Program Components) were much lower than what I would’ve liked. I  wanted to throw out some triples seeing as I managed not to do too many at my last event. So not the greatest I’ve ever done but I still took away some good stuff headed to the Games.”

Kailani Craine, who was called up to the event with just two weeks’ notice, also enjoyed the new experience and placed fifth with a spirited skate.  

“I've had a really different competition experience in China, only a free program,” Craine said.

“In training I was trying more ‘tano’ variations on most of the jumps which unfortunately I didn't showcase here in China, but I think they will be ready for my next competition.”

“All of these different experiences help me build into a better skater. There’s always more you can learn.”

Being guaranteed a gala exhibition at the conclusion of the event is exactly the sort of skating which the Newcastle 19-year-old enjoys.  

“I've had a really good time in China. The people are so friendly and I can't wait to perform in the exhibition,” she said before the gala.
 
 


Skating elite to descend on Shanghai Trophy

23/11/2017

 
Picture
With their Olympic qualification events behind them, figure skaters Brendan Kerry and Kailani Craine alongside short track speed skater Deanna Lockett are heading into this weekend’s Shanghai Trophy with a weight off their shoulders.
 
The three Aussie skaters secured their place on the invitational event’s start list through their strong performance at their respective World Championships in March this year.
 
Having already secured his place on the Australian Winter Olympic Team for 2018, Shanghai will present the perfect opportunity for Kerry to reclaim the ice after he previously described his performance at the Grand Prix in Regina, Canada as “the worst”.
 
Now, just a few days out from the event, Kerry said that he was “hoping to achieve a strong core and re-gain some confidence”.
 
“Preparation for Shanghai has been going really well. Not planning as much technical difficulty, rather trying to just go out and focus on a more polished performance,” he said.
 
“I started the season out really strong and then had a disastrous skate at my GP. All part of sport – but I just want to go out and get my mojo back!”.
 
The five-time Australian Men’s Figure Skating Champion and Sochi 2014 Olympian was named alongside Craine two weeks ago as one of four figure skating athletes to compete at PyeongChang this February.
 
Kerry, who will contest the men’s individual event, said that “being selected for the Olympic team again is a huge motivation” while for Craine it’s made her “push harder”.
 
“I think now that I have qualified, my training feels a little more free and I can push myself to try harder elements and also really push my run throughs without being worried of making a mistake,” Craine said.

Picture
​“Preparing for Shanghai is a little different to a regular competition since we only perform our Free Program. So basically I’ve just been running my free program a lot and building up really good stamina and confidence with the program.
 
“Training has been going really well, I have a lot of confidence in myself leading into this competition so hopefully I can just perform how I do in training every day!”
 
The 19-year-old skated to gold at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany earlier this year, securing an Olympic berth for Australia at PyeongChang 2018 and impressing judges with her Free Skate to ‘Moulin Rouge’.
 
The routine featured five triple jumps, three level-four spins and level-four footwork, skills that picked up the Newcastle native 109.43 points.
 
“My local rink has set up a big TV screen where my free program from the Olympic Qualifying competition plays on repeat, which is such good motivation for me to push myself so I can feel those kind of moments at the Olympic Games,” she said.
 
Lockett, Australia’s top female short tracker, wrapped up her World Cup season last weekend ranking seventh in the 1500m and 19th in the 1000m – with the top 32 skaters in each distance securing Olympic quotas for their nation.

Picture
​With the Olympic qualification period behind her and this event having no impact on her rankings, Lockett will be more “relaxed” and able to “enjoy a little bit more racing with no pressure,” according to her coach Lachlan Hay.
 
“She will be able to focus on some new things and some new strengths to use at PyeongChang” Hay said.
 
“It will be a great chance to get used to the loud noise from the crowd which will be expected in Korea 2018.
 
“It’s a huge event they put on and very exciting, showcasing the best of the best in speed skating and figure skating as well.”
 
Lockett will contest the individual 1000m and 1500m event and will likely throw her hat in the ring for “a really fun chance to skate with other skaters and make a relay team” in the 444m, 777m and 2000m international mixed gender relay events.
 
The 2017 Shanghai Trophy will take place from 24 – 26 November. You can follow the live results HERE.

David Barden / Georgia Thompson 
OWIA / Olympics.com.au


Figure Skaters named on the 2018 Australian Winter Olympic Team

9/11/2017

 
PictureThree new Australian Olympians as figure skaters Harley Windsor, Katia Alexandrovskaya and Kailani Craine enjoy their selection at the AOC offices in Sydney, watched on by coach Galina Pachin.
A four strong Figure Skating section has been announced, marking the first 2018 Olympic Team members and featuring Australia’s first indigenous Winter Olympian.  

Sochi 2014 Olympian, Brendan Kerry will join three debutants Kailani Craine, Ekaterina ‘Katia’ Alexandrovskaya and Harley Windsor, as the quad prepare themselves to skate amongst the world’s best on the ice in PyeongChang.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll who announced the newest Team members said the Figure Skating section was full of youth and potential.
“These four athletes are a promising sign for Australia’s figure skating future,” Carroll said.
“They have all had some fantastic results over the past year and each of them has rightly earned their spot on the 2018 Winter Team.
“We thank the athletes, their National Federation, Ice Skating Australia, and the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia for their hard work and dedication in the lead up to PyeongChang, and wish them every success at the Games.”
2018 Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman said today’s selection was a significant milestone in the PyeongChang preparations.
“After months of preparation, we are finally starting to assemble the full team and that is really exciting,” Chesterman said.
“The Figure Skaters have performed at a high level since Sochi, so there is a lot of potential amongst this group.
“Brendan is back and ready to enjoy his second Games, while we are equally as excited to welcome three highly talented young athletes who are just beginning their Olympic careers.”
Kerry, who will compete in the men’s individual event, said being selected in his second Olympic Team was more exciting and a bigger relief that his debut four years ago.
“The first Games is all about the experience,” 23-year-old Kerry said.
“The second time it’s all business - I’m going there with very specific set goals.
“I think I’m going to deliver my two best performances yet. Mentally and physically I will be more prepared than I have ever been before.”
Kerry, whose mother Monica also competed in Figure Skating at the 1988 Calgary Games, noted the strength of his 2018 skating compatriots.
“Kailani winning the 2017 CS Nebelhorn Trophy is an amazing accomplishment that I think shows just how intense and well prepared she is for her Olympic debut,” Kerry said on his teammate who will skate in the women’s individual event.
“Harley and Katia, Junior World Champs and qualified for their first Olympics second season together! That’s just unbelievable!”
Kerry has shared a long-time friendship with Australia’s first Indigenous Winter Olympian, Windsor and is as equally proud of his achievements as his own.
“Harley is and has been my long time best friend and I think it’d be fair to say that I’m just as excited and proud of his accomplishments as his coaches and family.”
20-year-old Windsor, who reigns from Sydney’s Rooty Hill will join partner Katia Alexandrovskaya in the pairs event and enter the history books as the first Australian Winter Olympian of Indigenous heritage.
“Making my first Olympic team is huge,” Windsor said, who has always dreamed of an Olympic debut.
“Now it’s a reality the emotional roller coaster of it all is very overwhelming.
“I feel as though I’m helping in taking a big step for indigenous athletes to move more into winter sports rather than the normal summer sports and hopefully inspire more to follow in my footsteps.”
Windsor partnered with Alexandrovskaya in 2015 and the pair have been on fire since, claiming the 2017 World Junior Championship title.
Rounding out the quad will be 19-year-old Kailani Craine, the Newcastle native who still can’t quite comprehend her Olympic selection.
“I've worked so hard to achieve this goal and for it to finally be a reality is so amazing and crazy,” Craine said.
Now that her selection is sealed, Craine said she will focus on increasing the complexity of her routines.
“Now that I've qualified I feel like I can really focus on doing more technically difficult elements in my routines to really be competitive at the Games.
“I feel like this is such a special experience that not many people get to have. I'm so grateful and honoured to be announced on the Olympic Team and I am working so hard to make my country proud.”
The Figure Skaters will take to the Olympic stage early on in competition, donning their skates on the same day as the Opening Ceremony. 
olympics.com.au


Grand Prix mixed bag for Kerry and Craine

30/10/2017

 
PictureFigure skater Brendan Kerry
At the second of six ISU Grand Prix events in Regina, Canada, figure skaters Brendan Kerry and Kailani came away with a mixed bag of results in a topsy turvy event that included Olympic and world medallists.
 
Ranked 15th in the world, Kerry was aiming for a two-quad short program and three quad free program, testing his technical arsenal in Skate Canada’s power-packed men’s field, which including Olympic, World and European medallists.   
 
For Kerry, the short did not go well, with the opening quad popping to a double and errors on the following quad salchow and triple axel leaving him trailing the field in 12th and well below his personal best.
 
In the free program Kerry had it all to do and shook off the previous day’s disappointment, landing three quads and being one of only two men to do so along with winner Shoma Uno from Japan.
 
The back end of his free program that includes the usually reliable triple jumps mostly popped out to doubles and whilst Kerry climbed to 9th in the free, his overall result only improved to 11th.
 
“The men’s event here in Canada was a very, very interesting one. A lot of great skates and a lot of not so great skates,” Kerry said.
 
“Unfortunately, I went out and delivered the worst possible short program I could have. The long was also not ideal in not delivering the triples at the end of the program. However, I think that there is always something good to take away from each skate headed towards Pyeong Chang.”
 
“For instance, it was awesome to be able to go and throw down three quads in the free skate. I made a lot of silly mistakes on the easier elements. But that’s sport - everyone has their good and bad days. Onwards and upwards from here on out,” he said.
 
The men’s Skate Canada title went to Shoma Uno, silver to USA’s Jason Brown and bronze to Alexander Samarin of Russia. An epic melt down in the free by Canada’s Sochi silver medallist and three-time world champion Patrick Chan saw him slip from second to 4th after a technically weak final performance.
 
In the ladies, Kailani Craine was a surprise invitee to the prestigious Grand Prix circuit two weeks ago and came into the field ranked near the tail.
 
Her trademark enthusiasm and infectious performance quality saw the debut GP skater deliver a blistering short program, which included her first successful attempt at a triple/triple this season placing ninth ahead of 2016 World Junior Champion Marin Honda from Japan and two Canadians.
 
In an attacking free program, Craine went after the jumps but was penalised for under rotations, finishing the event a creditable 10th overall.
 
The three-time national champion was initially disappointed in her free program score.
 
“The free program skate wasn't exactly what I wanted it to be. I had higher standards and expectations for myself but at the same time I'm proud of myself and the way that I've represented my country,” she said.
“I believe that I benefit so much from different experiences and emotions, and this competition will make me a much stronger skater for upcoming competitions and this Olympic Season.”
 
“I feel really great about my season so far and I was so excited to be invited to my first Senior Grand Prix. I hit a lot of new goals that I set for this competition including hitting a triple triple combo in the second half of my short program, and also no edge calls.”
 
“My short program was technically up to date to be competitive in this field and I needed to get the triple triple combo out there before Four Continents. I was hoping for a much higher score but regardless I have gained much more confidence with this element.”
 
The ladies Skate Canada gold was won in emphatic style by Kaetlyn Osmond from Canada, silver to Maria Sotskova (Russia) and bronze to Ashley Wagner (USA).  
 

Grand Prix season beckons for figure skaters

23/10/2017

 
PictureFigure skater Kailani Craine. Photo: Getty Images
Australian champions Brendan Kerry and Kailani Craine open their 2017 Grand Prix account this coming weekend at Skate Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan.

For Craine, the invitation to compete in her first Grand Prix follows her stunning victory at the Olympic qualifier in Germany last month and was a welcome surprise.

“Honestly, I am so grateful to be competing with the top ladies in the world. I'm not sure how I expect to feel when I am there since it is a new experience for me, but I really just want to show how hard I've been working, and how much I enjoy being out on the ice,” Craine said from her,” Los Angeles training base on the weekend.  

The pressure at the top end of the Ladies event is intense with Canadian and US champions Kaetlyn Osmond and Karen Chen among a hot field with top Russians and Japanese skaters all vying for the Grand Prix podium.

The four-time national champion has bagged a gold and silver in the Challenger events this season but knows that she has stepped up the international ladder.

“This season has been going really well as I've medalled a fair few times and picked up some personal best scores.”
“However, I can always improve on my skating and my goal for Skate Canada is to lay out a more technically difficult short program. For my free program I feel like I can make a personal best score as I've been working on areas that need to be improved since Nebelhorn.”

“My short program I kept from last season because I feel like it deserves an Olympic moment and it highlights the happiness that I feel when I skate.”

“I am completely in love with my free program (to Moulin Rouge) this season. My choreographer and I spent a lot of time making the cuts and storyline just right. I am kind of challenging something cryptic and ancient, like an awakening. This program really brings out an inner intensity and fire that I needed to feel for this season.”


PictureBrendan Kerry: Photo: Getty Images
Brendan Kerry is no stranger to the Grand Prix circuit and top echelon of the men’s field. Skate Canada will be his fifth career GP in a field that includes Canadian Sochi silver medallist Patrick Chan and 2017 World silver medallist Shoma Uno from Japan.

The technical advance in quad jumps for the men since the Sochi Olympics has been profound and was highlighted again on the weekend at the first Grand Prix in Moscow when USA’s Nathan Chen overcame Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu with two quads in the short and four in the free program. Hanyu, who won the free program portion of the event with three quads had to settle for silver to the new US men’s star.

Kerry, who is coming off a successful Challenger series with two bronze medals, is upping his quad content.
“In Regina, I want to hit a two-quad short and then an overall PB score.”

“As far as the level of skating that the top-ten is currently at, the only mental preparation for me is to focus on myself and my skating - not the other competitors.”

 “The aim is to reach the goals I've set for myself rather than focus on a finish I can't control.”

Kerry finished a career-high fifteenth at the World Championships in March and is knocking on the door of the top 12.  
Leaving his relatively safe character performers from last season behind, Kerry has taken a more serious-minded approach to his music choices for the Olympic season with two different choreographers in Mark Pillay for the short and Nikolai Morozov for the free.  

“The inspiration behind the short to ‘Everyone Wants To Rule The World’ was to just go out and do something completely different, be more serious and to play to my skating strengths.”

“The free program to Pink Floyd was Nikolai's idea and I love it because I feel as though it's super outside of the realm of skating. It's edgy and different,” Kerry said.

Skate Canada opens with the Ladies Short Program on Friday 1pm local time (Saturday, 6am AEDT). The men’s event begins at 6pm local time (Saturday, 11am AEDT). The final free programs will be competed the following day. Results can be found here

By Belinda Noonan
owia.org
 


Aussies book two more figure skating berths for PyeongChang

1/10/2017

 
PictureKailani Craine (centre) wins gold at Nebelhorn Trophy and Olympic qualifier. Photo: Emjo Eyes Instagram
Australia has secured two more Figure Skating qualification spots at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games with an individual gold medal from Kailani Craine and a Pairs bronze medal at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany. 
 
19-year-old Craine skated to gold on Saturday night, securing not only the Ladies title but an Olympic berth for Australia. 
 
After dominating the Short Program the night before, Craine continued her strong form impressing judges with her Free Skate to ‘Moulin Rouge’.
 
The routine featured five triple jumps, three level-four spins and level-four footwork, skills that picked up the Newcastle native 109.43 points.
 
A combined total of 167.45 points from both skates saw Craine take the gold by only 0.44 points. 
 
“I felt really good in my free program today. I felt really prepared for this competition. It wasn’t the best free program that I’ve done, but it was enough to get me first place and to qualify an Olympic spot,” Craine said. 
 
“I don’t think anything really can compare with what the Olympic Games are going to be like. It’s been a dream since I started skating, so I really just want to be able to skate my best, but I want to soak up every single moment.”
 
Rounding out the podium was Matilda Algotsson of Sweden and Alexia Paganini of Switzerland who earned the silver and bronze medals respectively, as well as 2018 qualification spots for their countries. 
 
In Friday night’s Pairs event, World silver medallists Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia took out the top spot on the podium ahead of Germany’s European Champions Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot.
 
Harley Windsor and Katia Alexandrovskaya of Australia stunned the world with a performance of a lifetime to take the bronze. The Australians and four more couples earned an Olympic spot each for their country.
 
Skating to ‘The Mask’, the pair executed a perfect triple twist, side by side triple Salchow and triple toe-double toe-double toe as well a throw triple flip and Salchow. 
 
The Junior World Champions secured a huge personal best, scoring 125.80 points for the Free Skating and 190.31 points overall, securing a ticket to the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics for Australia. 
“Obviously it is very exciting for us. We skated really, really well and we also qualified (an Olympic spot) for Australia. So that was a huge step for us,” 20-year-old Windsor said.
 
With pairs from Russia, Germany, Canada and USA having already booked their spot to the Games, the Australians will be joined by new pairs from Austria, Czech Republic, Peoples Democratic Republic of Korea and Israel on the Olympic program.
 
Australia is now qualified in three figure skating disciplines with Men, Pairs and Ladies, also resulting in eligibility into the Olympic Team Event for the top ten nations in the world.
Australian Men’s champion Brendan Kerry earned Australia the men’s spot with his 15th palce at the 2017 World Championships in March.
 
For the Olympic Team Event, Australia would unofficially currently be ranked 12th. The top ten nations will be determined on a points basis after the Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix series has been completed in early December. 
 

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