Mackenzie Set for World Cup Final After Strong European Campaign

Australian Kalani Mackenzie in action at Artistic World Cup. Photo: Raniero Corbelletti

Australian artistic skater Kalani Mackenzie will take to the floor at the World Cup Final in Cesena, Italy, this week after earning a wildcard entry in the Youth Solo Dance division.

The invitation follows a strong performance at the World Cup Semi-Final in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, where Mackenzie impressed against a high-quality international field.

Since then, she has continued her European campaign with an intensive training block in Portugal, preparing for the season's biggest event.

"I really enjoyed my experience competing in my very first World Cup," Mackenzie said.

"I have learned a lot from the experience and was very excited to be selected as a wildcard entry for the World Cup Final.

"Since the World Cup finished, I have been training in Portugal for the past two weeks and have learned so much."

The Australian team travelled to Europe not only to compete, but also to gain valuable international experience and train with some of the world's leading coaches.

The campaign provided invaluable development opportunities for athletes across all levels.

For Youth Solo Dance skater Elina Stretton, the event marked her first international competition.

"My first World Cup in Germany was a valuable and memorable experience," Stretton said. "Watching some of the world's best skaters perform live showed the standards of elite skating and gave me plenty to learn from."

The World Cup Semi-Final was staged in the historic Olympic ice-skating venue in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with a roller-skating floor installed over the arena's concrete base to create a spectacular competition setting.

While Mackenzie prepares to compete in Italy, fellow Australians Georgia Hammond and Kya Michal-Bax, who were also offered wildcard invitations, elected to continue training in Portugal as they focus on future international goals.

Jessalyn Brown and Sophia Garufo have also paired their European competitions with further training in Italy and Portugal respectively. 

The European campaign has provided Australian skaters with invaluable experience, confidence and motivation as they continue their development on the world stage.