June 2002 Newsletter

To ballroom dancers, one event holds almost mythical status - the Blackpool British Dance Festival. This year’s Blackpool began on May 24, 2002.

Two of the first events featured were the Senior (Over 35) Standard and Professional Rising Star Latin Championship.

In the Senior Standard event, Kevin and Christine Millward (England) defended their title with first in all four dances. White, which is always a favorite choice for dancers’ gowns at the Empress Ballroom, was again the champion’s choice tonight. Domizio Giovannini and Annisa Baldo (Italy), who are the current World Senior Standard Champions, were runners up. No feathers were seen on any of the dresses in the semi-finals and finals tonight, only georgette and satin finishes - simple, minimalistic, but elegant.  From the USA, Mark Sheldon & Didi Von Deck and Thomas Keller & Evelyn Lafferty were semi-finalists in this prestigious event.

Senior Standard Championships

1. 1. Kevin Miliward & Christine Miliward, England
   2. Giovannini Domizio & Annisa Balda, Italy
   3. Luigi Bodini & Antonella Benedetti , Italy
   4. Michael Lindner & Beate Lindner, Germany
   5. Martin Schueller & Mechtildis Jungels, Germany
   6. Paolo Bernardi & Angela Carapelli, Italy

In the Rising Star Latin Championship, Andrei Gavriline & Elena Kryuchkova (USA) were the champions, with runners up, Delyan Terziev & Boriana Deltcheva, also from the United States.  Both teams were ecstatic, jumping for joy, as they placed above many world-class favorites from Italy and Russia.

In terms of costumes, there was quite a mixture, ranging from sensual long “mermaid/fishtail” styles, to sexy “halter-top” styles, to playful “fringed” styles. The most unusual dresses this year were worn by Japanese dancers, many with unusual squizzle designs adorned with Swarovski crystals. One of the more unusual Latin dresses was worn by Anna Mosmann of Germany (partnered by Oliver Seefeldt), who wore a “faux fur” trimmed black dress adorned with Swarovski crystals. Another eye catcher was Anna Trebunskaya of the USA (partenered by Jonathan Robers), who wore a moulin-rouge style dress. Maxim Pdoprigora & Irma Dubovik (Russia) took Latin costumes to another level with an athletic costume that could have come from Adidas -- very chic, cool, and athletic.

Finally, special congratulations go to Rick Robinson & Ashley Delgrosso (USA) -- Rick is African-American and, considering the desire to increase minority participation in dancesport, we are especially proud of Rick who, with Ashley, made the semi-finals of this prestigious international event!

Rising Star Pro Latin

1. 1. Andrei Gavriline & Elena Kryuchkova, USA
   2. Delyan Terziev & Boriana Deltcheva, USA
   3. Alessandro Garofolo & AnnaMaria Bassano, Italy
   4. Ilia Danilov & Tatiana Rybalko, Russia
   5. Igor Mikhalkov & Dana Reznikova, Russia
   6. Dmitri Tchernishev & Elena Pashkova, Russia

Elections are coming up!

It may seem as though September is far in the future, but it will be here before we know it.  Three positions on the GCC-USABDA Board of Directors will be up for election.  We will be electing a new Vice-President, Secretary and Member at Large.  Here is your chance to bet more involved.  If you would like to be a candidate, or if you know of someone who would be a good addition to the Board, please consider running for one of these offices.

June is "Big Band Month" at USABDA.  The lessons at both dances will be swing.  We're offering a swing workshop and the second dance (on the fourth Saturday) will be a "Big Band" extravaganza.  Forties costumes are encouraged.  We're looking forward to seeing all you swing dancers in your finery!

2002 Dance Dates:

June 8 & 22
July 13 & 27
August 10 & 24
September 14 & 28
October 12 & 26
November 9 & 23
December 14 & 28