It’s Friday morning and as I walk into the magnificent Empress Ballroom in the WINTER GARDENS COMPLEX I know I’m in for a fabulous 3 days of dancing, and boy it did not disappoint. What a way to start the New Year. Over 6,700 entries, with 19 countries being represented, and an abundance of talent on display all 3 days. What an amazing achievement and how lovely to see so many International competitors. It must be extremely difficult to organise such a mammoth festival but Nick Miles, Nigel Horrocks, Natalie Hayes and their teams ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Congratulations need to go to every single person involved in this fabulous weekend. Over the weekend we saw competitors from aged under 6 to over 70 years old, absolutely amazing!!!
The competitions started on Friday in the Empress Ballroom with teacher student and ProAm adult events in ballroom, latin, sequence, and American smooth events. It was an absolute pleasure to see so many competitors. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful the partners are, not just in quality but stamina and endless energy, doing everything to ensure their pupil/partner displays their very best, some still dancing 10 hours later. It is always a real pleasure and honour to judge these events as the standard is always excellent in every way.
Saturday saw the couples events competing for the Champions of Tomorrow titles in the Empress ballroom for ballroom and latin and the solo events in the very popular Conference and Exhibition centre. A marathon day in the ballroom, again amazing entries and a fabulous standard. The solo competitions were very well supported and again another wonderful day of dancing took place. Congratulations to all the competitors.
Sunday saw the sequence, both solo and couple events in the conference centre. I found this difficult to judge as the standard was so high and very equal, well done to you all. The Empress Ballroom saw the children’s day of teacher student, Pro Am and American smooth ballroom and latin. Again so impressive to see the partners dancing from early morning to late evening. Each competitor giving it their all.
Overall an awesome display of talent in what was a wonderful festival of dancing of all levels, ages and Nationalities, Very well done to all.
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