Post by Lana on Apr 10, 2005 2:40:54 GMT 1
Here is Part 2. Glad you are all enjoying the interview so far. 
"When we went to Europeans in Budapest last year the money was in the background; we didn't think about it. Skating well and getting some publicity helped push Sports Scotland, our governing body, to restore some of our funds," said Sinead.
Perhaps the Kerrs are so upbeat because they've been blessed with caring parents and a comfortable home in Livington, Scotland, just outside of Edinburgh. Father, Alastair, a doctor in general practice, and Maeve, a homemaker, enjoy their children's career yet maintain a hands-off approach.
"Our parents have been so supportive without ever being pushy. It's been very tough for them but they've always supported us financially, however much we've needed. When we lost our funding last season, if we didn't have their backing, we couldn't have done it," said John.
"We're a really close family. My mom doesn't work, so to speak, but she does a lot of work in the home! She helps us a great deal. We train by ourselves a lot and she comes in and videos us," said Sinead.
Both speak fondly of younger brother David, who is autistic.
"In the summer we take our brother out cycling and roller blading, and he takes us wall climbing. We also wander about Edinburgh; I enjoy shopping and museums," said Sinead.
An avid sportsman, John enjoys tennis, football, golf and curling, and shares his sister's passion for dance.
"A couple of years ago we did a Beastie Boys number, and did a lot of work with a guy learning street dance. We actually became his backing dancers for a couple of shows. We always enjoy that freedom of movement; it's also a great way to keep fit," he said.
While the Kerrs' father emphasized education, both have put their studies on hold.
"We graduated high school, but at British universities no allowances are made for sports. If you go to the University of Edinburgh, they couldn't give two hoots about sport; it's either one or the other," explained Sinead.
"We got the exam results that would allow us to go to university, and we asked our dad, 'Can we take a year off?' and then we took another and another. But someday," added John with a laugh.
Behind in the Compulsories
While both Sinead and John started out as single skaters, they found their artistic sensibilities better suited to ice dance.
"When I was about 17, I started dancing with a partner (Jamie Ferguson) and did well. I guess I leaned more towards the artistic end than the jumping end. So I took up dance full time and skated with my partner for a few years," said Sinead, who placed second at the British Nationals with Ferguson in 1999 before splitting with him the following year.
"In 1999, I was 4th at juniors in the men's event. That kind of coincided with Sinead's break-up with her old partner. I felt even though I was a pretty good free skater I was never going to be wonderful, so we decided to get together and see what we could do," said John.
"We've kind of slightly come out of left field; since I came to dance only a few years ago, the compulsory dances for a while were my problem. I didn't really have the backgroud other dancers did."
Neverless, the siblings made rapid progress. Working with veteran coach Joan Slater, a one-time World silver medalist, they placed second at their first Nationals in 2001; they slipped to third the following year, but climbed back to second in 2003. That summer, to help refine their compulsories, Slater suggested they study with Roberto Pelizzola in Italy.
"We've been with Joan from start; our dance technique came from her. We spent a few years kind of working in the background, trying to get our technique down. But people could see a lot of potential in us, a lot of strength and athletic ability. Last summer we worked with Roberto. He's wonderful with technique, just fantastic. He's still technically better than all of us; none of us can do his exercises," enthused Sinead.
By the 2004 British Nationals, held in December of 2003, the Kerrs felt their time had come.
"The previous year we just missed out on winning, and I think that really gave us a boot. We decided to really go all out for it; we said if we don't win we will quit because we both had other things we want to do," remembered Sinead.
While the couple was once again behind after the compulsories, this time, the original dance helped carry them to the title.
"We were really just third favourites, but the big thing for us was the swing combo OD- that was our ideal style and we felt really confident when we won the OD at British Nationals," said Sinead. "Since winning Nationals we took a big step up. It gave us extra confidence to go out there and skate."
The siblings placed tenth at their Europeans deput in Budapest and then followed with a 15th place finish at the 2004 World Championships in Dortmund.
At the 2005 Nationals, held in December 2004 in Nottingham, England, the Kerrs will once again face their two British rivals: 2003 National Champions Pamela O'Connor & Jonathon O'Dougherty and two-time former champions Marika Humphries & Vitaly Baranov. This time, since the siblings finished in the top ten at last year's Europeans, there are two spots for British teams at the 2005 Euros in Torino, Italy. Unlike last year both Europeans and Worlds will use the new ISU judging system, which the Kerrs feel shows off their athleticism to good advantage.
"In a way I think it will help the likes of us; we have both been free skaters, so we're both used to the spins, and John did a bit of pairs so he is used to lifts. We're not an old school, elegant dance team (relying on) smooth edges, which was fine a few years ago. Now you need a bit more strength and attack, which is our strong point," said Sinead.
That's all for tonight... Hopefully, the final part of the interview will be typed and posted for tomorrow. But right now I'm tired and need to go to sleep.
Lana
"When we went to Europeans in Budapest last year the money was in the background; we didn't think about it. Skating well and getting some publicity helped push Sports Scotland, our governing body, to restore some of our funds," said Sinead.
Perhaps the Kerrs are so upbeat because they've been blessed with caring parents and a comfortable home in Livington, Scotland, just outside of Edinburgh. Father, Alastair, a doctor in general practice, and Maeve, a homemaker, enjoy their children's career yet maintain a hands-off approach.
"Our parents have been so supportive without ever being pushy. It's been very tough for them but they've always supported us financially, however much we've needed. When we lost our funding last season, if we didn't have their backing, we couldn't have done it," said John.
"We're a really close family. My mom doesn't work, so to speak, but she does a lot of work in the home! She helps us a great deal. We train by ourselves a lot and she comes in and videos us," said Sinead.
Both speak fondly of younger brother David, who is autistic.
"In the summer we take our brother out cycling and roller blading, and he takes us wall climbing. We also wander about Edinburgh; I enjoy shopping and museums," said Sinead.
An avid sportsman, John enjoys tennis, football, golf and curling, and shares his sister's passion for dance.
"A couple of years ago we did a Beastie Boys number, and did a lot of work with a guy learning street dance. We actually became his backing dancers for a couple of shows. We always enjoy that freedom of movement; it's also a great way to keep fit," he said.
While the Kerrs' father emphasized education, both have put their studies on hold.
"We graduated high school, but at British universities no allowances are made for sports. If you go to the University of Edinburgh, they couldn't give two hoots about sport; it's either one or the other," explained Sinead.
"We got the exam results that would allow us to go to university, and we asked our dad, 'Can we take a year off?' and then we took another and another. But someday," added John with a laugh.
Behind in the Compulsories
While both Sinead and John started out as single skaters, they found their artistic sensibilities better suited to ice dance.
"When I was about 17, I started dancing with a partner (Jamie Ferguson) and did well. I guess I leaned more towards the artistic end than the jumping end. So I took up dance full time and skated with my partner for a few years," said Sinead, who placed second at the British Nationals with Ferguson in 1999 before splitting with him the following year.
"In 1999, I was 4th at juniors in the men's event. That kind of coincided with Sinead's break-up with her old partner. I felt even though I was a pretty good free skater I was never going to be wonderful, so we decided to get together and see what we could do," said John.
"We've kind of slightly come out of left field; since I came to dance only a few years ago, the compulsory dances for a while were my problem. I didn't really have the backgroud other dancers did."
Neverless, the siblings made rapid progress. Working with veteran coach Joan Slater, a one-time World silver medalist, they placed second at their first Nationals in 2001; they slipped to third the following year, but climbed back to second in 2003. That summer, to help refine their compulsories, Slater suggested they study with Roberto Pelizzola in Italy.
"We've been with Joan from start; our dance technique came from her. We spent a few years kind of working in the background, trying to get our technique down. But people could see a lot of potential in us, a lot of strength and athletic ability. Last summer we worked with Roberto. He's wonderful with technique, just fantastic. He's still technically better than all of us; none of us can do his exercises," enthused Sinead.
By the 2004 British Nationals, held in December of 2003, the Kerrs felt their time had come.
"The previous year we just missed out on winning, and I think that really gave us a boot. We decided to really go all out for it; we said if we don't win we will quit because we both had other things we want to do," remembered Sinead.
While the couple was once again behind after the compulsories, this time, the original dance helped carry them to the title.
"We were really just third favourites, but the big thing for us was the swing combo OD- that was our ideal style and we felt really confident when we won the OD at British Nationals," said Sinead. "Since winning Nationals we took a big step up. It gave us extra confidence to go out there and skate."
The siblings placed tenth at their Europeans deput in Budapest and then followed with a 15th place finish at the 2004 World Championships in Dortmund.
At the 2005 Nationals, held in December 2004 in Nottingham, England, the Kerrs will once again face their two British rivals: 2003 National Champions Pamela O'Connor & Jonathon O'Dougherty and two-time former champions Marika Humphries & Vitaly Baranov. This time, since the siblings finished in the top ten at last year's Europeans, there are two spots for British teams at the 2005 Euros in Torino, Italy. Unlike last year both Europeans and Worlds will use the new ISU judging system, which the Kerrs feel shows off their athleticism to good advantage.
"In a way I think it will help the likes of us; we have both been free skaters, so we're both used to the spins, and John did a bit of pairs so he is used to lifts. We're not an old school, elegant dance team (relying on) smooth edges, which was fine a few years ago. Now you need a bit more strength and attack, which is our strong point," said Sinead.
That's all for tonight... Hopefully, the final part of the interview will be typed and posted for tomorrow. But right now I'm tired and need to go to sleep.
Lana
x a million.
