FIGURE SKATING: While she insists she’s not superstitious, there’s no doubt the stars are aligning for Kailani Craine as she prepares for her much-anticipated Olympic debut.
The 19-year-old says she’s been surrounded by ‘good omens’ since arriving at the Athlete's Village, and things just keep getting better and better.
A good draw has given the former Newcastle skater a boost – she’ll be the first skater to perform in the third warm up group.
“I’m really, really, happy with my draw,” Craine said. “I’m skating 13th and that’s my lucky number.”
“I usually get a bad draw; in fact I’ve had to skate second the entire season, so it’s such a relief to be in the third warm up group. I think it’s a good sign.”
Another good omen, she says, is the colour of the rink.
“I absolutely love purple, and it’s really a lucky colour for me. So when I saw that the whole rink was decked out in purple I thought ‘wow, this is just meant to be’.”
And with less than 24 hours until she skates, there are more good signs for our Aussie ice star.
She has been landing clean triple-triple jump combinations in her training, a difficult element that she didn’t intend to include in her program.
“I don’t know if I’ll end up doing it in competition but I’m definitely keeping my options open,” Craine said. “I think it’s working because I’m not putting so much pressure on myself and it’s feeling really good so you never know, I might just do it.”
Skating toward the end of the Games, the Olympic debutant admits it’s been tough to stay focused.
“I’ve watched all the other Aussies skate and it’s been so emotionally draining,” she said. “I feel like I’m on the journey with them and I’m so heavily emotionally involved that I feel like I’ve already skated four programs.
“But I think it’s a good thing overall, because their results have been so good that’s it’s been inspiring me and making me work harder in training.
“I’ve learnt qualities from all of them and now it’s my turn to go out and hopefully skate a strong, clean program.”
Craine needs a top 24 finish to move into the free skate.
Katherine Firkin
olympics.com.au
