IDSF World Latin - Melbourne, Austr
Report by: Heidi Goetz
Since 3 years, when the Australian DanceSport Federation was granted to host the IDSF World Championship Latin 2008, Event Director Mrs. Margaret Lonsdale was promoting her event around the hole world and she did a tremendous job. Supported by many sponsors
and the government of Melbourne and Victoria it promised to be a great competition.
The World Championship was the main event in a Festival of the Australian Championships, IDSF Ranking Tournaments Standard and Latin, Seniors, New Vogue and Salsa. Couples from all over the world as well as the IDSF President Mr. Carlos Freitag and his Presidium
Members had been welcomed in the Parliament by representatives of the government, the Minister of Sports and many officials two days before the competition. They couples were given the possibility for practicing in studios, to join organized sightseeing tours
and to cope with their jetlag.
The World Championship started on Sunday, Dec.14th in the morning at 10.00 a.m. in the Hisense Arena. A venue surrounded by other great Stadiums, like the Rod Laver Arena, well known for the Australian Open Tennis Tournament.
64 couples danced their 1st Round in 6 Heats and enjoyed the huge floor. Unfortunately a great number of nominated couples did not come to Melbourne without any explanation or excuse.
The Evening Gala started with a great opening ceremony and a show, giving an overview about Latin American Dancing from various aspects. The audience saw the 24 qualified couples in their quarter final.
Finally 5 nations were represented in the final. After exciting performances, which the audience appreciated with standing ovations, we heard the following result in the price presentation:
1st and new World Champions : Stefano Di Filippo and Anna Melnikova, Italy
In 2nd position : Alexey Silde and Anna Firstova, Russia
3rd place went to Andrey Zaitsev and Anna Kuzminskaya, Russia
4th place : Zoran Plohl and Tatsiana Lahvinovich, Croatia
5th place : Jurij Batagelj and Jagoda Strukelj, Slovenia
6th place : Martino Zanibellato and Michelle Abildtrup, Denmark
I think, this Championship was a great experience for all the couples, which they probably will keep in their minds for ever.
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