Chantelle Kerry Winter Youth Olympic Games Interview

Chantelle Kerry Winter Youth Olympic Games Interview

Chantelle Kerry is skating in the tracks of her mother Monica MacDonald who represented Australia in figure skating at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Kerry has been skating since she was 18-months-old.

She briefly explored gymnastics and was a junior state champion before returning to her true passion, figure skating at the age of eight.

Training at Macquarie Ice Skating Club, Kerry is coached by her mother and hero Monica. She has enjoyed consistent success as Australia's leading junior figure skater, winning the national junior ladies title in 2010 and 2011. Kerry is a member of the Australian High Performance Squad (tier 1) alongside young Olympian Cheltzie Lee who made her Olympic debut in Vancouver at the age of 16. The Cheltenham Girls High School student has competed on the international circuit, recording a 13th place finish at the ISU Junior Grand Prix and 24th place at the Tallin Cup in 2011.

Kerry's polished free dance routine is based on the music from Alice in Wonderland. Kerry aspires to perform for Disney on Ice and hopes to study sport psychology and coach figure skating in the future.

Interview with Chantelle Kerry

Question: When and what originally inspired you begin figure skating?

Chantelle Kerry: I started training when I was 8, after I gave up gymnastics. I always liked skating because my Mum was a figure skater.


Question: What do you enjoy most about figure skating?

Chantelle Kerry: I like that figure skating is athletic and artistic at the same time.


Question: Can you talk about your relationship with your coach?

Chantelle Kerry: My Mum is my coach. I think that it is harder, because my Mum is my coach, but it's really good and I wouldn't change it for anything.


Question: Can you talk us through your training schedule?

Chantelle Kerry: Leading up to the Winter Youth Olympic Games I am practicing my routine, a lot and trying to become more consistent at all the elements I have to do. I train six days a week.


Question: Where are you training for the upcoming Winter Youth Olympic Games?

Chantelle Kerry: Most of my training is at the Macquarie Centre and one day a week I travel to the Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink. The Macquarie Centre is close to my home but the Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink is about 40 minutes drive.


Question: What is your ultimate goal in regards to figure skating?

Chantelle Kerry: I want to make it to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea. After I am finished competing, I'd love to work with the Disney on Ice Shows.


Question: Are you able to talk us through your costumes for the upcoming Winter Youth Olympic Games?

Chantelle Kerry: My costumes are pretty and very sparkly. My Nan and my Mum make my costumers and I keep them for the year. My short program costumer is blue and black and my long program costume is a green with flowers and vines through it.


Question: Can you explain what a short and long program is?

Chantelle Kerry: Yes, a short program is a technical program where you have to complete set elements and that goes for 2 minutes and 50 seconds. The long program is where you have more leeway as you can choose which elements you wish to include in your routine and that goes for 3 minutes 30 seconds.


Question: Can you give us an insight into your routine for the upcoming Winter Youth Olympic Games?

Chantelle Kerry: My short program is a jazz routine which is a little bit more upbeat whilst my long program is to Alice In Wonderland.

Question: How did it feel when you were selected for the Winter Youth Olympic Games team?

Chantelle Kerry: When my Mum came and told me I didn't believe her at first and then there were lots of tears because I was so happy!


Question: You're 15, how do you fit school in around your busy training schedule?

Chantelle Kerry: I usually spend recess and lunchtime doing my homework, so I have time to train.


Interview by Brooke Hunter
Images by Michael Santer