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Madeleine Judges World Senior
Latin
March 2008
The 2008 IDSF Senior Latin World Championship
was held in Sant Cugat, Spain. Sant Cugat is a beautiful spot just outside Barcelona in Spain. At the feet of
a historic monastery, small streets lead through the town with plenty of shops, restaurants and bakeries that
offer great sweets and fantastic coffee.
I took a particular liking to the latter, with
the number of fabulous bakery delights and coffees making an impression on my
waistline.
On to the event.
With some 38 couples competing, the field was slightly larger than in previous years.
A total of 22 countries were represented with Gerry Garcia & Shirley Law and Michael Maguire & Christine
Searle flying the colours for Australia.
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From the first round I noticed that the
Masters (Senior in IDSF terms) field was different than expected. Having seen the Blackpool Senior
Latin for the last 3 years, I was left with the impression that there were a noticeably larger
number of great ladies on the floor with only a few really outstanding men. This World Championship
was very different.
Looking at the top 12 couples, there were at
least 9 really strong men, with physical appearances, speed, flexibility and body movement that is
not normally found in the Senior competitions. A little bit of background search did indeed reveal
that some couples did as recently as 2006 compete in the Adult field or had a history in the Pro
field in their younger years.
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Our Australian representatives
at the Flag Parade
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I did like the fact that the music tempo was
slightly up from what we are used to in Australia, especially in Samba and Jive. I personally felt it created
better energy on the floor.
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Our very own Madeleine Zoanetti
was invited to adjudicate the event and added a glamorous touch to the panel with her outstanding
dressing and personality.
With 9 countries represented on
the adjudicator panel we had the opportunity to meet some very interesting
people.
Meet the Presidents! Carlos Freitag, President of the IDSF with Madeleine,
President of the ADS at the World Championship.
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Gerry & Shirley had a well matched look on
the floor and with a number of taller couples had to work hard to be seen.
They seemed to get better with every round and
had no problems keeping up with the field. One of their strengths is Shirley’s ability to portray
such a wonderful feminity and together they created some very beautiful lines.
I don’t know what Gerry is on when the Jive starts, but I want some!
While the less physically fit couples seem to tire by the time the Jive starts, Gerry is off like a
rocket – excellent energy.
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Michael & Christine (left)
and Gerry & Shirley
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Michael and
Christine are a tall couple and had no problem with standing out in the field. The confidently took the
middle of the floor for most of their dances. There is always a little risk with this to get crowded, as the
“pack” tends to dance in the middle of the floor. At times Michael and Christine were a little restricted by
the number of couples dancing in very close proximity, preventing them from using their “full
wingspan”.
Christine demonstrated some
beautiful leg and foot action in Rumba complementing her great physique. In such a powerful male field, Michael
could have benefited from a little more upper torso movement and shape, but I enjoyed seeing a renewed confidence
in this partnership.
In the final, the
top 5 couples promised a great contest to the end, the German couple surrendering a higher placing due to
fatigue. The man in particular showed great ability.
A great number of
people took a particular liking to the Russian couple (eventually placed 4th), Irina arguably the best girl on
the floor.
First and second went to Spain,
with the Jive costing the second placed couple the World Championship. This was a close finish and it was good to
see such quality in the Masters (Senior) field.
Congratulations to Gerry &
Shirley (placing 18th) and Michael and Christine (placing equal 23rd). The have been fantastic ambassadors for the
Australian Masters and I am sure that the experience will add a little extra spark to their
dancing.
 Chris
Gruber
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