Training in the dead of night on her local ice rink, in isolation, was not exactly what figure skater Kailani Craine had in mind for her Winter Olympics preparation.
But COVID forced a new routine.
"I wanted to not take any chances because nothing is going to stop me from going to my second games."
In January, the 23-year-old from Newcastle competed at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Estonia, finishing 12th and matching her career-best result.
And just last week, she was selected in the Australian team for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
She intends to make the most of her second crack at a childhood dream.
"Even though it's been a little bit of pressure this season, I've just tried to enjoy it," Craine said.
"Especially during a pandemic you're a little bit more appreciative of everything you get to do and all the opportunities you get."
Stepping up in 2022
She said her goal is to improve on her 17th placing at the 2018 Winter Olympics by performing a tougher routine.
"The triple/triple combination is the kind of jump that you really need to do well in a competition. I didn't do that at the last games, but I've been very proud of myself this season because I've done it at every single event," she said.
"I really haven't held back, so it kind of shows how far I've come."
Craine admits her preparation has been hampered by efforts to avoid catching COVID.
"We're taking every precaution we can to avoid the risk of COVID before we go," she said.
"So when I travelled to Four Continents, we were double masking, we weren't eating on the plane, we had face shields on and that hasn't changed coming back home to Newcastle either."
'An exceptional athlete'
Ice Skating Australia president Peter Lynch described Craine as a true champion.
"To compete at this level you've got to be completely focused and have an amazing amount of drive," he said.
"It's quite rare in this sport, and it's a sign of real champion, when you've got a skater that's got real talent and then this amazing drive burning within them, that's when you get a champion and that's what Kailani is."
Mr Lynch admitted it would be tough for the Australians competing in Beijing.
"Lots of the skaters competing at the Olympics haven't had to suffer the lockdowns that we've had to and that makes it very tough for the Australian skaters," he said.
"In spite of that Kailani has the opportunity to do the best she has ever done and we think she'll probably finish somewhere in the top 15.
"We're a niche sport in Australia, but we do punch above our weight and Kailani is an exceptional athlete."
