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John Kerr (figure skater)
Encyclopedia
John Alastair Kerr is a Scottish
ice dancer who represents Great Britain
. He competes with his sister Sinead Kerr
. Together they are two-time (2009, 2011) European bronze medalists
and the 2004–2010 British national champions
.
The Kerrs retired from competitive skating in April 2011.
. After his partnership with Anna Syrett ended, he teamed up with older sister Sinead. They skated as juniors for one season, then moved up to the senior level. The Kerrs finished 2nd at the British Nationals
in 2000 and were on the podium every year afterward. Despite this, in 2003, they lost their funding from Sportscotland
.
and 14th at the 2004 Worlds
. They were the first British ice dancers to make the top ten at the European Championships since Jayne Torvill
and Christopher Dean
. They improved to 8th and 12th, respectively, in 2005.
In 2006, the Kerrs were chosen to represent Great Britain at the 2006 Winter Olympics
, where they finished 10th. Suffering again from a lack of funding, they were forced to find creative training options: "when we trained for the 2006 Olympics, we'd often have to do it during a public session. Our coach would go around saying 'Move to the sides please. They're going to the Olympics.' The best way to avoid paying for ice time, and we couldn't afford to pay, was to ask politely if people would let us past." Following the 2005–06 season, they began to receive funding from both Sportscotland and UK Sport
which allowed them to make a coaching change. They moved to New Jersey
, in the United States, to train with two-time Olympic champion Evgeni Platov.
in 2007-08 and Maya Usova
and Evgeni Platov in 2008-09. They had their best season yet in 2008-09, winning bronze medals at both their Grand Prix events for the first time in their career and finishing third at the European Championships
. They were the first British dance team to medal at the event since Jayne Torvill
and Christopher Dean
won the title 15 years earlier.
, where they finished 4th. They were fifth at the European Championships
, 8th at the 2010 Winter Olympics
and a career-best 5th at Worlds
.
. Their assigned events for the 2010-11 Grand Prix series were Skate Canada
and the Rostelecom Cup
. They had also planned to compete once again at the Finlandia Trophy
; however, Sinead Kerr suffered a shoulder injury which forced them to miss the event. They finished second at Skate Canada and withdrew from the Rostelecom Cup
due to Sinead's shoulder injury. They returned to competition at the 2011 European Championships
where they won the bronze medal.
On March 29, 2011, the Kerrs announced on their website that they would be unable to compete at the 2011 Worlds
because of Sinead's recurring shoulder injury. They officially announced their retirement from competitive skating in April 2011.
and Paul Duchesnay
. They sometimes chose music unusual for a competition, e.g. Muse or Linkin Park, explaining, "We always like to look outside the boundaries of what people think they're going to get in an ice dance competition." They began working with Platov in June 2006 and trained in New Jersey, initially at Floyd Hall and then moved to the Princeton Sports Center in Monmouth Junction. Their choreographers included Platov, Tatiana Druchinina (2007-08 free dance), Peter Tchernyshev (2010-11 free dance), and Robert Royston (2008-09, 2009-10 original dances), and their costume designers included Natella Abdulaeva.
. Besides his sister Sinead, he also has a brother named David. John Kerr has worked as an actor, appearing in various television shows.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
ice dancer who represents Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. He competes with his sister Sinead Kerr
Sinead Kerr
Sinead Houston Kerr is a Scottish ice dancer who represents Great Britain. She teamed up with her brother John Kerr in 2000. They are two-time European bronze medalists and the 2004–2010 British national champions...
. Together they are two-time (2009, 2011) European bronze medalists
European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion...
and the 2004–2010 British national champions
British Figure Skating Championships
The British Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United Kingdom...
.
The Kerrs retired from competitive skating in April 2011.
Early career
John Kerr started skating at the age of nine after watching his sister. He competed in singles skating until he was 17, landing jumps up to the triple LutzLutz jump
The Lutz is a figure skating jump, named after Alois Lutz, an Austrian skater who performed it in 1913. It is a toepick-assisted jump with an entrance from a back outside edge and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.- Lutz technique:...
. After his partnership with Anna Syrett ended, he teamed up with older sister Sinead. They skated as juniors for one season, then moved up to the senior level. The Kerrs finished 2nd at the British Nationals
British Figure Skating Championships
The British Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United Kingdom...
in 2000 and were on the podium every year afterward. Despite this, in 2003, they lost their funding from Sportscotland
Sportscotland
Sportscotland , formerly the Scottish Sports Council, is the national agency for sport in Scotland. Their stated aim is to help everyone in Scotland enjoy sport's many benefits....
.
2004-2006
During the 2003-4 season, the Kerrs won their first British title and went on to a top ten finish at their first Europeans2004 European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
and 14th at the 2004 Worlds
2004 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. This event is considered the most prestigious of the ISU Championships...
. They were the first British ice dancers to make the top ten at the European Championships since Jayne Torvill
Jayne Torvill
Jayne Torvill, OBE is a British ice dancer. With Christopher Dean, she won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics and a bronze medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics.-Early life:...
and Christopher Dean
Christopher Dean
Christopher Colin Dean, OBE is a famous British ice dancer who won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics with his skating partner Jayne Torvill...
. They improved to 8th and 12th, respectively, in 2005.
In 2006, the Kerrs were chosen to represent Great Britain at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics – Ice dancing
Ice dancing was contested during the figure skating events at the 2006 Winter Olympics.This competition began with a compulsory dance, the Ravensburg Waltz, on February 17, in which all couples performed the same dance...
, where they finished 10th. Suffering again from a lack of funding, they were forced to find creative training options: "when we trained for the 2006 Olympics, we'd often have to do it during a public session. Our coach would go around saying 'Move to the sides please. They're going to the Olympics.' The best way to avoid paying for ice time, and we couldn't afford to pay, was to ask politely if people would let us past." Following the 2005–06 season, they began to receive funding from both Sportscotland and UK Sport
UK Sport
UK Sport is the UK Government's organisation for directing the development of sport within the home countries.-History:The Sports Council previously had been formed in 1972, and had the motto Sport for All. There was also the Central Council of Physical Recreation. In July 1994 it was decided to...
which allowed them to make a coaching change. They moved to New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, in the United States, to train with two-time Olympic champion Evgeni Platov.
2006-2009
The Kerrs continued to move up the ranks, and established a reputation for performing innovative and unique programs. They worked with Christopher DeanChristopher Dean
Christopher Colin Dean, OBE is a famous British ice dancer who won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics with his skating partner Jayne Torvill...
in 2007-08 and Maya Usova
Maya Usova
Maya Valentinovna Usova , born 22 May 1964 in Gorky is a Russian ice dancer. With Alexander Zhulin, she is the 1993 World champion, 1994 Olympic silver medalist, 1992 Olympic bronze medalist.- Career :...
and Evgeni Platov in 2008-09. They had their best season yet in 2008-09, winning bronze medals at both their Grand Prix events for the first time in their career and finishing third at the European Championships
2009 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2009 European Figure Skating Championships were the European Championships of the 2008–2009 season. Skaters competed in the categories of men's singles, ladies singles, pairs, and ice dancing. The competition was open to skaters from a European Member nation of the International Skating Union...
. They were the first British dance team to medal at the event since Jayne Torvill
Jayne Torvill
Jayne Torvill, OBE is a British ice dancer. With Christopher Dean, she won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics and a bronze medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics.-Early life:...
and Christopher Dean
Christopher Dean
Christopher Colin Dean, OBE is a famous British ice dancer who won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics with his skating partner Jayne Torvill...
won the title 15 years earlier.
2009-2010 season
The Kerrs had a mostly successful campaign in 2009-10, winning medals at both Grand Prix events and qualifying for their first Grand Prix FinalGrand Prix of Figure Skating Final
The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is an international, senior-level figure skating competition. It is the culmination of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Skaters compete in men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
, where they finished 4th. They were fifth at the European Championships
2010 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2010 European Figure Skating Championships were the European Championships of the 2009–2010 season. They are an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion...
, 8th at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Ice dancing
The ice dancing competition of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics was held at Pacific Coliseum on February 19 , 21 , and 22 , 2010.- Competition notes :...
and a career-best 5th at Worlds
2010 World Figure Skating Championships
The 2010 World Figure Skating Championships were the World Figure Skating Championships for the 2009–2010 season. Commonly called "Worlds", they are an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion...
.
2010-2011 season
Although they had originally planned to retire following the 2010 season, the Kerrs eventually announced that they would continue to skate competitively. Liking their exhibition music so much, they decided to rework it into a free dance with choreographer Peter TchernyshevPeter Tchernyshev
- External links :* *- Navigation :...
. Their assigned events for the 2010-11 Grand Prix series were Skate Canada
2010 Skate Canada International
The 2010 Skate Canada International was the Skate Canada Grand Prix competition of the 2010–2011 season. It was the second event of six in the 2010–2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a senior-level international invitational competition series. The event was organized by Skate Canada.The event...
and the Rostelecom Cup
2010 Cup of Russia
The 2010 Rostelecom Cup was the Cup of Russia Grand Prix competition of the 2010–2011 season. Organized by the Figure Skating Federation of Russia, it was the fifth event of six in the 2010–2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a senior-level international invitational competition series.The event...
. They had also planned to compete once again at the Finlandia Trophy
2010 Finlandia Trophy
The 2010 Finlandia Trophy was the Finlandia Trophy competition for the 2010–2011 figure skating season. It was the 15th edition of the Finlandia Trophy to be held. The Finlandia Trophy is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition held in Finland...
; however, Sinead Kerr suffered a shoulder injury which forced them to miss the event. They finished second at Skate Canada and withdrew from the Rostelecom Cup
2010 Cup of Russia
The 2010 Rostelecom Cup was the Cup of Russia Grand Prix competition of the 2010–2011 season. Organized by the Figure Skating Federation of Russia, it was the fifth event of six in the 2010–2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a senior-level international invitational competition series.The event...
due to Sinead's shoulder injury. They returned to competition at the 2011 European Championships
2011 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2011 European Figure Skating Championships was the European Figure Skating Championships of the 2010–2011 season. Skaters competed in the categories of men's singles, ladies singles, pairs, and ice dancing....
where they won the bronze medal.
On March 29, 2011, the Kerrs announced on their website that they would be unable to compete at the 2011 Worlds
2011 World Figure Skating Championships
The 2011 World Figure Skating Championships are the World Figure Skating Championships for the 2010–2011 season. They are an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion....
because of Sinead's recurring shoulder injury. They officially announced their retirement from competitive skating in April 2011.
Other skating
The Kerrs have taken part in many shows around the world and are considered among the more popular ice dance teams currently performing. Their favorite skaters are Isabelle DuchesnayIsabelle Duchesnay
Isabelle Duchesnay is an ice dancer who competed for both Canada and France. She and her brother Paul Duchesnay were successful ice dance partners in figure skating, winning a world championship in 1991 and an Olympic silver medal in 1992.Raised in Canada, the Duchesnays started skating at an...
and Paul Duchesnay
Paul Duchesnay
Paul Duchesnay was an ice dancer who competed for both Canada and France. He and his sister Isabelle Duchesnay were a successful pair in the sport, winning a world championship in 1991 and an Olympic silver medal in 1992.Raised in Canada, the Duchesnays started skating at an early age...
. They sometimes chose music unusual for a competition, e.g. Muse or Linkin Park, explaining, "We always like to look outside the boundaries of what people think they're going to get in an ice dance competition." They began working with Platov in June 2006 and trained in New Jersey, initially at Floyd Hall and then moved to the Princeton Sports Center in Monmouth Junction. Their choreographers included Platov, Tatiana Druchinina (2007-08 free dance), Peter Tchernyshev (2010-11 free dance), and Robert Royston (2008-09, 2009-10 original dances), and their costume designers included Natella Abdulaeva.
Personal life
Kerr's mother, Maeve, is a retired nurse; father Alastair is a general practitionerGeneral practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
. Besides his sister Sinead, he also has a brother named David. John Kerr has worked as an actor, appearing in various television shows.
Programs
| Season | Short dance Short dance The short dance is a segment of an ice dancing competition. It was approved by the June 2010 International Skating Union congress and instituted beginning in the 2010–2011 figure skating season... |
Free dance Free dance (figure skating) The free dance is a part of an ice dancing competition. It is the second part of the competition to be contested, after the short dance.-Structure and content:... |
Exhibition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2011 | At Last At Last "At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives, starring George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday... by Etta James Etta James Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer... Shut Up and Let Me Go Shut Up and Let Me Go "Shut Up and Let Me Go" is the fourth single by English duo The Ting Tings from their debut studio album We Started Nothing. The song was released in the United Kingdom on 21 July 2008, and was the follow-up to the number one hit single "That's Not My Name"... by The Ting Tings The Ting Tings The Ting Tings are an English music duo comprising Jules de Martino and Katie White . They formed in December 2007 while based at Islington Mill Studios in Salford... |
Exogenesis: Symphony Exogenesis: Symphony "Exogenesis: Symphony", commonly known as simply "Exogenesis", is a song by English alternative rock band Muse, featured on their 2009 fifth studio album The Resistance... Part 3 by Muse Muse (band) Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard... |
A Beautiful Mine (Mad Men Mad Men Mad Men is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. The series premiered on Sunday evenings on the American cable network AMC and are produced by Lionsgate Television. It premiered on July 19, 2007, and completed its fourth season on October 17, 2010. Each... ) by RJD2 RJD2 RJD2 is an American music producer, singer and musician. RJD2 was born in Eugene, Oregon, and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was signed to the Definitive Jux label where he released two largely instrumental hip hop albums and has produced tracks... |
| Original dance Original dance The original dance was a segment of an ice dancing competition. It was usually the second of three programs, sandwiched between the compulsory dances and the free dance. Until 1994, it was known as the original set pattern dance... |
|||
| 2009–2010 | I've Been Everywhere I've Been Everywhere The song "I've Been Everywhere" was written by Geoff Mack in 1959 and made popular by the singer Lucky Starr in 1962.The song listed Australian towns... performed by Johnny Cash Johnny Cash John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century... ---- Auld Lang Syne Auld Lang Syne "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song . It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight... |
Krwlng by Linkin Park Linkin Park Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries... |
Exogenesis: Symphony: Part 3 (Redemption) Exogenesis: Symphony "Exogenesis: Symphony", commonly known as simply "Exogenesis", is a song by English alternative rock band Muse, featured on their 2009 fifth studio album The Resistance... by Muse Muse (band) Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard... |
| 2008–2009 | The Boogie Bumper Minnie the Moocher performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a contemporary swing revival band from southern California. Their notable singles include "Go Daddy-O", "You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight ", and "Mr. Pinstripe Suit". The band played the Super Bowl XXXIII half-time show in 1999.The band was originally formed in Ventura,... |
Ruled by Secrecy by Muse Muse (band) Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard... |
Auld Lang Syne Auld Lang Syne "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song . It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight... and other Scottish folk music |
| 2007–2008 | Erin Shore Auld Lang Syne Auld Lang Syne "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song . It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight... by Robbie Burns |
The Landing, Turn Around, and Gravity of Love by Enigma |
Competitive highlights
(with Sinead Kerr)| Event | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | 2004–05 | 2005–06 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | 2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympic Games Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
10th | 8th | |||||||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
14th | 12th | 11th | 11th | 8th | 7th | 5th | ||||
| European Championships European Figure Skating Championships The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion... |
10th | 8th | 8th | 5th | 6th | 3rd | 5th | 3rd | |||
| British Championships British Figure Skating Championships The British Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United Kingdom... |
2nd | 3rd | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | |
| Scottish Sr. IDC | 1st | 1st | |||||||||
| Grand Prix Final Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is an international, senior-level figure skating competition. It is the culmination of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Skaters compete in men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
4th | ||||||||||
| Trophée Eric Bompard Trophée Eric Bompard The Trophée Eric Bompard is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The Trophée Eric Bompard was formerly known as the Trophée Lalique... |
3rd | 3rd | |||||||||
| NHK Trophy NHK Trophy The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
4th | 2nd | |||||||||
| Skate America Skate America Skate America is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It is organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. The location changes yearly... |
5th | 5th | 3rd | ||||||||
| Cup of China Cup of China The Cup of China is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The location changes yearly. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.The Cup of China is... |
5th | ||||||||||
| Cup of Russia Cup of Russia The Cup of Russia is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. It was held as the Rostelecom Cup in 2009 after... |
9th | 5th | 4th | ||||||||
| Skate Canada Skate Canada International The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's... |
7th | 2nd | |||||||||
| Finlandia Trophy Finlandia Trophy The Finlandia Trophy is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition, held in Finland. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating and ice dancing, although not every discipline has been included in every year... |
1st | 1st | |||||||||
| Nebelhorn Trophy Nebelhorn Trophy The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany. The competition is named after the Nebelhorn, a nearby mountain.... |
7th | 4th | 1st | ||||||||
| Karl Schäfer Memorial Karl Schäfer Memorial The Karl Schäfer Memorial is an annual elite senior-level figure skating competition held in Vienna, Austria. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dance. The competition is named for figure skater Karl Schäfer. The competition is usually held in... |
2nd | ||||||||||
| Golden Spin Of Zagreb Golden Spin of Zagreb The Golden Spin of Zagreb is an annual senior-level figure skating competition, held yearly in Zagreb, Croatia. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing, although, in some years, not every discipline was included in the program.The 2001... |
6th | ||||||||||
| Ondrej Nepela Memorial Ondrej Nepela Memorial The Ondrej Nepela Memorial is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition held in Slovakia. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pairs, and ice dancing. In some years, some disciplines have not been held.... |
4th |