An interview with Melbourne's Olympic Figure & Dance Club
by Kim Wilson, November 2005

How many hours per week do you train?
Approximately 25 hours (depending on time of season and competition schedule, goals, etc.

With on-ice training, what times and how many days per week?
Approximately 3-4 hours a day, 5-6 days a week.

How much is on-ice and how much is off-ice?
Again, it varies on the season, competition schedule and goals. For example, working on weaknesses on and off the ice. I do about 1-2 hours of off ice training a day. (Sunday is my day of rest)

What other types of training do you do (eg Ballet, aerobics, cycling?)
Heaps of stretching and rotations also incorporate ballet, pilates, skipping, plymetrics. NO CYCLING... not a fan of cycling! Lots of walking and abs too.

How strict is your diet?
I dont count fat grams or calories. I love healthy food and feeling healthy inside. I enjoy my vegies and have salad and drink 2 litres of water a day. Small frequent meals work for me. I also treat myself to something sweet pretty much everyday, and dont feel guitly about it! Californian sushi rolls are my craving for the month.

What are your hopes for the Olympics and Worlds next year?
My hopes... getting to the Olympics, and definitely a personal best at Worlds to finish my career on a great note!

What do you do for a living, and also when you are not skating (that is if you have any spare time?)
I have a part time job as a legal secretary for a law firm, and work from 12-4pm 4-5 days a week. I have a great boss who allows me plenty of time off when I need to prepare for competitions or do extra training. I like having a balance in my life, working stops me from thinking about skating 24-7, and living in lycra! I get to earn some money which always helps. Other interests, spending time with my beautiful family, friends and loving boyfriend. I enjoy my life, and have recently started coaching accceditation for the next phase of my life after competition which is hard to imagine... as If I could ever leave the ice!

How long do you wish to keep competing for? What would you like to do when you finish skating competitively?
It's hard to imagine not competing. It's been my life for so long. But, I know it's time for me to move on. Not just physically, but emotionally too. I've done everything I've wanted to do and I really crave a normal life.

What advice would you give to a young skater who has just started?
Just enjoy yourself and believe in your dreams.