New Zeland's Senior Ladies Champion, Dirke O'Brien Baker, recently took a few moments to talk with Unseen Skaters. Baker trains and previously competed in the US.

When and how did you begin skating?
I began at the age of five in Annapolis, MD, soon after moving from New Zealand to America. I had first tried skating with my brother in New Zealand and after just a few times I loved it!

What are your long term skating goals?
My long term goals are to compete for New Zealand in the Olympics. I have always wanted to represent them and it's been a pleasure doing it at a variety of international competitions around the world.

What are some of your goals off the ice?
My off ice goals definitely include going to college and have some kind of part in the theater and acting. Also learning another language, sport, and even becoming a chef are other goals I would like to someday accomplish.

Why did you decided to skate for New Zealand after several years of competing for the US?
When I skated for the US I had always had the option to compete for New Zealand but decided to wait until I had tested up to the Sr. Level in USFSA. To me it was a really neat opportunity that not many people can take advantage of. I'm glad that I have done it and I'm so happy to have been able to go to so many places and meet so many different people. It has truly been an experience.

Describe the experience at your first Grand Prix event, Trophee Lalique.
Trophee Lalique was probably one of the scariest things I've done up to date! One of the hardest things was not being able to have my coach there with me. Skating with the best skaters in the world at my first international competition didn't make it any easier either! Getting threw it was my main goal, and although that sounds like an easy thing to do.... it took a lot mentally to do. I learned so much more than I could have imagined and like a lot of things in life, that experience will only make me stronger. However being in Paris was so exciting for me and I loved every minute of it.

Since last season, what do you think you've improved the most on?
Artistically I think I've improved a lot, however I didn't improve as much as I would have liked on the technical side. I had a few injuries and set backs last year ..... and plan this year to reach my goals with the jumps. I still feel the best part of skating is the artistic though.... so I am definitely going to be working on bringing out that part of my skating.

What is it about skating that makes you love it so much?
What do I love so much about skating, that I'm willing to go back every day? It is definitely hard to make yourself do anything day after day, but if you love it and want it enough you will. With skating for me, it has its ups and downs, but each time I always end up wanting it more and more after a set back. It's something I've always done and hope to do till I feel content with my career. I hope to be able to look back on my skating and feel like I accomplished a lot and know that I did something that I really loved.