A Long-Standing Tradition

22 years ago the 1st "Rimini Open" took place in the well known and very popular holiday resort of Rimini, ITA. Luisa and Giancarlo Barbieri organised the event with all their enthusiasm and personal efforts. That is why it became one of the most popular competitions over the years. 

But suddenly, in 2012, we could no longer find the Rimini Open in the WDSF Competition Calendar. Luisa told us that due to personal reasons it became necessary to set other priorities. Normally that is the last you hear of a discontinued competition. But not if someone is as dedicated to DanceSport as Luisa and Giancarlo. In 2012 they handed over the responsibility to their ambitious students Fabio Selmi, Roberto Borelli and Federico Fillippone. The three took over and are now aasuming all responsibility for the organisation. Of course the "Barbieris" continue as the "helping hands" in the background.

The event schedule comprised 16 competitions altogether. The International Opens in Standard and Latin were the main events.  An overall entry of 1000 couples in international and national competitions proved once more how popular the Rimini Open is. Sometimes it is difficult for an organiser to plan and organise the schedule. Doubled entries in some categories in comparison to the previous year made the adjudicators' job hard and long.

The International Open Standard took place on Saturday and showed very high level dancing. Winners were Dmitry Zharkov and Olga Kulikova (photo above). Check the sesults section!

Heidi Goetz

Published on 15 May 2014