Things have changed for the Kerrs
SCOTTISH ice dance stars Sinead and John Kerr used to walk around unnoticed – but that has changed. Fame has brought recognition and John received a jolt this week when three young men shouted at him in a West Lothian supermarket car park. The Olympic hopeful shrugged it off just as he has countless knocks during the Kerr’s climb to the top of the British rankings. However, the next month could prove pivotal in the pair’s bid to become world stars and Olympic medallists.
The brother and sister, who are the first British pair to have medalled in a skating Grand Prix, have jetted home to Livingston from their base in Philadelphia to fine tune their routine for next week’s European Championships in Estonia. And they have gone back to their roots by training every morning in the quiet seclusion if ice cold Murrayfield. Coach Evgeny Platov, who doubles as their choreographer with Robert Royston, is with them along with Britain’s No 2 ice dance pair of Nottingham-based Penny Coomes and Nicholas Buckland.
For four hours each day the Kerr’s painstakingly go over every step of the compulsory, free and original dance routines which will be seen by millions of TV world-wide next week in Talin.The seven times British champions, who won European bronze 12 months ago, hope to catch the judges eye with their original dance to I’ve Been Everywhere by legendary American singer Johnny Cash. And their free dance is to Krwlng by Linkin Park.
From Talin, the pair fly back to North Ameria via London where they will collect their kit for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver which start on February 12. The Kerr’s are in action from February 19 when they hope to improve on their 10th place at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. It’s been nine long years of effort to come this far.
Dundee-born Sinead, 31, and her 29-year-old brother John, who was born in Broxburn, West Lothian, teamed up first in 2000. And their eye-catching and sometimes controversial but always balletic style have moved the steely Scots steadily up the world rankings. Currently, they are fifth and they are determined to medal again in Europe.
As John said: “That would set us up for Vancouver. “Sure, it would increase the hype going into the Olympics as traditionally European ice dance has been really strong. “However, this time, there are some quality North American couples and we have to take note of that, but we have to let the hype happen and get on with what we have to do – that’s impress the judges. “All we can do is go out there and stake to the best of our ability with our chosen pieces and let other people decide.”
The Scots have accumulated fans throughout the world, including a strong contingent in Helsinki and John added: “That’s only a 30-minute ferry ride from Talin so we hope they come to see us. “It’s certainly a big month for us that’s why we flew to Scotland to prepare for the Europeans. Flying from America straight to Talin would have incurred jet lag. “Flying home to acclimatise was the best solution. It allows us to chill out back home with family, get some good home cooking and train at Murrayfield where we have always been so well looked after. “The rink guys like Jo (Daly), John (Livingston) and Murrayfield directors Billie (Dunbar) and Richard (Stirling) have been great to us over the years. “We really appreciate that. They don’t say much but they help us as much as they can and they’ve all known us since we started skating at Murrayfield years ago. “Then nobody knew us and we used to walk about Edinburgh and Livingston and nobody recognised us. It was strange the other day when I was shouted at by three young guys in a local ASDA car park.” The price of fame.
It’s only a short flight from Edinburgh to Estonia and the pair fly out on Saturday to start competing on Tuesday. The compulsory, which was formerly one of their previous problem areas, is traditionally the opening discipline and the Kerr’s recent hard work is paying off. John said: “It (the compulsory) was always something we used to get stick for but this year we have been scoring well on it and we naturally hope that continues. “Overall, we hope to marker down before the Olympics by performing well in Europe. Everybody knows what we are capable of.” Sinead is currently nursing a cold and John said: “Our training is going well and having Evgeny here along with Penny and Nick is a bonus.” This is a busy time for the unassuming brother and sister from West Lothian and the media have been taking a large slice of their time while they have been in Scotland.
The pressure is on and the approachable Kerr’s now have to deliver.