It’s been a chock-a-block off season for figure skater Kailani Craine who last competed internationally at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships in March.
All that is about to change when Kailani kick starts her international competitive season in Riga, Latvia this weekend at the Volvo Cup.
The national two-time champion had remained in Australia since April, compressing her final year of high school into six months to catch up on her studies, sit her Higher School Certificate and drive to Sydney from her home base in Newcastle for training.
“It’s been a hectic year and I’m glad I can focus totally on my skating,” Kailani said.
Olympic coaches Kylie Fennell and Galina Pachin have spent the time re-honing Kailani’s skating skills, adding layers of subtle finesse and edge quality whilst developing the all-important triple/triple jump combinations, which are essential for success in Ladies figure skating.
“We will see how Kailani goes in her first event in Latvia this weekend. She will definitely be going after the triple flip/triple loop jump combination in the free program,” said coach Galina Pachin before they left for Latvia earlier in the week.
“The triple loop jump is definitely smoother with far greater quality,” Galina added.
Finishing the HSC is a big deal for any NSW student, yet few could contemplate the timetable that Kailani managed to get through during October.
A ‘normal’ week for the dynamo included travelling twice a week to Sydney, training late at night in her home Newcastle rink, working with a dance coach weekly, study and exams, off ice training and to top it all off a flight to Melbourne to accept a scholarship from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame on October 14.
That morning Kailani had sat her first HSC English exam and by the evening was mixing with Australian sporting legends, before heading back to the exam desk the following day.
With school days now over, Kailani says she will be going after every opportunity on the ice.
“You need triple/triple jumps to be competitive. But it’s not only that – there’s the programs and high level spins,” she said.
If there’s a challenge to be had, the first words Kailani says are “bring it on”.
The Volvo Cup in Latvia has attracted 27 competitors in the Senior Ladies event, among which is fellow Australian Brooklee Han. The short program starts 4am (AEST) on Saturday with the free the following day.
In the Junior Ladies, Sydney’s Holly Harris has continued her outstanding form in her debut season and currently lies in 3rd place after the short program.
All that is about to change when Kailani kick starts her international competitive season in Riga, Latvia this weekend at the Volvo Cup.
The national two-time champion had remained in Australia since April, compressing her final year of high school into six months to catch up on her studies, sit her Higher School Certificate and drive to Sydney from her home base in Newcastle for training.
“It’s been a hectic year and I’m glad I can focus totally on my skating,” Kailani said.
Olympic coaches Kylie Fennell and Galina Pachin have spent the time re-honing Kailani’s skating skills, adding layers of subtle finesse and edge quality whilst developing the all-important triple/triple jump combinations, which are essential for success in Ladies figure skating.
“We will see how Kailani goes in her first event in Latvia this weekend. She will definitely be going after the triple flip/triple loop jump combination in the free program,” said coach Galina Pachin before they left for Latvia earlier in the week.
“The triple loop jump is definitely smoother with far greater quality,” Galina added.
Finishing the HSC is a big deal for any NSW student, yet few could contemplate the timetable that Kailani managed to get through during October.
A ‘normal’ week for the dynamo included travelling twice a week to Sydney, training late at night in her home Newcastle rink, working with a dance coach weekly, study and exams, off ice training and to top it all off a flight to Melbourne to accept a scholarship from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame on October 14.
That morning Kailani had sat her first HSC English exam and by the evening was mixing with Australian sporting legends, before heading back to the exam desk the following day.
With school days now over, Kailani says she will be going after every opportunity on the ice.
“You need triple/triple jumps to be competitive. But it’s not only that – there’s the programs and high level spins,” she said.
If there’s a challenge to be had, the first words Kailani says are “bring it on”.
The Volvo Cup in Latvia has attracted 27 competitors in the Senior Ladies event, among which is fellow Australian Brooklee Han. The short program starts 4am (AEST) on Saturday with the free the following day.
In the Junior Ladies, Sydney’s Holly Harris has continued her outstanding form in her debut season and currently lies in 3rd place after the short program.
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