Sync's USDSC Diary - The Quest for a National Championship

[syncopationator]

Tuesday 9/2/08 10:45 AM

After a long holiday weekend spent moving from a 3000 sq. ft. house to 1100 sq. ft. condo I finally was able to turn my focus back on final preparations for USDSC. Hurricanes Hanna and Gustav permitting, I should touch ground in Orlando on Wednesday morning. Olga is already in Orlando as she is competing today and tomorrow in Rhythm and Smooth with her other student, Jim, before turning her sights on the most important competition of the weekend: The U.S. National Silver “A” Latin Championship!!!; as well as the other events that we entered on Thursday – Saturday.

We set some pretty high expectations for ourselves at USDSC this year. We've been working overtime and have had some promising results this so our confidence could not be stronger. Hopefully we did not peak too soon.

I will keep checking in several times a day throughout the week with updates. Now I must get back to work so I can actually get out of here tomorrow.

[samina]

i'll be rootin' for ya, sync! :)

[LucyDiamond]

i'll be rootin' for ya, sync! :)
ditto

[etp777]

Tritto. :)

[SDsalsaguy]

Quaditto! :cheers:

[mamboqueen]

Lordy....what's next??

[etp777]

Not sure, MQ, that's why I made sure to get my repsonse in while it was still one I knew. :)

[LucyDiamond]

Lordy....what's next??

ditto squared + 1? :cool:

[LucyDiamond]

Not sure, MQ, that's why I made sure to get my repsonse in while it was still one I knew. :)
exactly... :wink:

[mamboqueen]

ya weenies!

[SDsalsaguy]

Lordy....what's next??ya weenies!
Don't think that's it MQ. ;)

[Standarddancer]

good luck for you sync! looking forward to see another fun lineup photo of you beating women;)

[ChaChaMama]

I think it's either quint-itto or penta-itto, depending on whether you prefer Latin or Greek.

Or we could just go with

You go, sync!

[SDsalsaguy]

So how about "synctitto"? ;)

[samina]

Hey, good one SD... :)

[syncopationator]

If anyone starts calling me Titto you are going down!!!

[samina]

Well, I hadn't thought of it til you mentioned it...lol. *grin*

[syncopationator]

Wednesday 9/3 12:15 AM (but its really still feels like Tuesday night)

First off, Thank you everyone for the well wishes. I will do my best not to dissapoint and bring a championship back for DF.

Just finished packing for the week and had a late dinner. It was my leftover soup from PF Chang's from earlier in the day and as I'm writing this I just remembered that I had Pho for lunch. So I'm on a liquid diet and didn't even know it. I guess this will guarantee that I fit into my latin pants on Thursday :grin:

Nothing exciting to report so far...I set up my shuttle pick-up for the morning as well as pickup from the airport to the hotel ($17 each way not bad). I also confirmed with the hotel that they have complimentary internet access in the common areas of the hotel so I can keep everyone updated.

Olga just called to let me know that Nik is dancing in the final of the standard section of 10-Dance Comp. Go Nik! I'll definitely be there to cheer you on in the latin section Wednesday night.

Now I must go to bed because the Super Shuttle will be here in less than 6 hours. The next time I write I should be tanning by the pool (If Hanna Allows). Good Night.

[syncopationator]

Wednesday 9/3 4:00 PM

After just under 5 hours of sleep (you all didn't think I was actually gonna go straight bed did ya?) The alarm buzzers went off and I was up and in the shower in no time. I ate everthing I had in the fridge for breakfast - this included a half baegle with cream cheese and jelly, a multi+vitamin and a glass of water. The shuttle arrived promptly at 6:50am and with no delays at the airport, I was on my way to USDSC!

I arrived at the Royal Pacific Resort, checked in, unpacked and headed straight for the pool, but not before stopping by Dore to say hello to the girls and Olga. 3 hours later I have some nice color but a bit of sunburn on my neck - way to go Sync!


6:30 PM
Finally made my way into the ballroom and said hello to Larinda and Cantski. Cantski made the final of the Open Smooth Scholarship which was danced in the evening session.

11:00 PM
Just had dinner at the hard rock after a nice massage session. Ran into Pavlo Barsuk at the spa. After several straight weeks of comps he was in dire need of a massage as well. I missed the early evening events but learned from Samina that there were some interesting results in the RS Standard final.

12:00 AM
Just stopped by to sneak into the ballroom to see the final of the 9-dance and the remaining results. Tomorrow is the big day for me - the latin pro/am events. Good Night!

[mamboqueen]

go get 'em!

[syncopationator]

Thursday 9/4 12:00 PM

Just having breakfast before getting ready for the championship heats which start at 1:20PM.

Danced the full silver A single dance championships: 1/1/3/3/2 out of 5 or 6 couples. Not a bad result as I didn't feel I danced well and had some major traffic issues in paso - blame it on the split ballroom :)

Also had a brief DF meet with Fasc, Nik and Dressgirl.
Time to go get ready!

[ChaChaMama]

Nice job so far, sync!

BEST WISHES for the afternoon!!!

[mamboqueen]

is that men only? doesn't seem like a lot of competitors.

and yes, congrats!

[LucyDiamond]

Nice job so far, sync!

BEST WISHES for the afternoon!!!
Ditto

[mamboqueen]

I'll snag "tritto" before I'm stuck being "ittoless".

[gracie]

Impressive!:notworth:

[Nik]

A very nice and detailed report, keeep it goin!

[emeralddancer]

This is so cool .... good luck to you too!!!!!!

[liz]

How is it going for you?

[jivechica]

I just have to say I love the fact that people write directly from the comps!!! They should think of doing something where you can pay and watch the entire comp online.

[syncopationator]

Thursday 9/4 7:00 PM
Today was dissapointing to say the least. After a good start to the day in the single dances, the Silver Latin championships began with a bang. I danced the best I've ever danced in the semi-final. Unfortunately that was still the best I ever danced, as murphy's law prevailed in the final and after stumbling in my cha cha, a lazy samba, losing my balance several times in the rumba and running out of fuel in the jive, I placed a dissapointing but deserving 4th. With my confidence completely shot I danced without emotion in the open gold championship and didn't make it out of the quarter (although I learned later that I was only 4 marks away from a recall into the semi). With 2 events left in the day I decided to scratch from the open scholarship and regain my focus for the latin section of the silver 10-dance championship. With nothing to lose iand better composure I delivered a solid performance (or at least it felt that way).

9:00 PM
Had a nice group sushi dinner with friends including several DF'ers including Larinda and Cantski. Samina stopped by for a lottle while. Had a chance to meet Cantski's parents as well as samina's parents. Also met SD Salsaguy who was kind enough to autograph my copy of "Ballroom".

1:30 AM
Tonight was the Rhythm and Standard Nationals. Nothing too exciting to report... I think the results were pretty much what was expected. I'm happy the Hauers finally made the final, but was dissappointed with their overall placement as I thought they would be 4th at worst. Also tonight was the US Open RS Latin. Nik was 5th. Nik I thought you were a little tired tonight. Definitely seen much better from you and hopefully this motivates you to dance like you normally do in the US National friday night :)

[samina]

Feelin' the disappointing vibe as well, sync. But I've chosen to focus on the good and try to let that become the overriding memory.

USDSC isn't the largest or most exciting comp I've attended, but it's still nationals...the competition is stiff.

Sync, you'll be sittin pretty at the top soon enuf, I'm sure. Hope you haven't lost heart!!!! *hug*

[syncopationator]

Hope you haven't lost heart!!!! *hug*

Don't worry. I have not lost my heart. I'm more motivated to improve now.

[syncopationator]

is that men only? doesn't seem like a lot of competitors.

and yes, congrats!

It was merged. There were 6 entries.

[syncopationator]

Friday 9/5

7:30 PM

Today was standard day for me. No expectations.... Just dancing. I was happy not to be last in any of my heats which I accomplished. Competed against Cantski today and as expected he kicked my a$$.

My main event today was the standard section of the 10 dance. I ended up placing 4th 3/3/3/3/2/6/5/5/5/6. Missed 3rdlace by 1 mark, however, I was the difference between the 1st and 2nd place results as my jive placing decided the winner - yes I feel good about that. I congratulated the winner and let her know she owed me a drink :)

1:15 AM

Watching Eric and Georgia in the cabaret right now ... Hold on... He juist spun her on his head... Holy $hit!!!

Latin final
Cocci
Katzeveman
Barzuk
Skemelis
Terziev
Iframov

Dissapointed in the final recalls but aggree with the placings. Genya and Maria were were very emotional (in a positive way) with after 3rd place was announced. Very happy for them and received a standing ovation. Personnaly tought kurakins and lewandowskis should have jhad a place in the final...

The results in the US Open RS standard only got weirder and weirder. I will not comment further to comply with DF guidelines :)

Smooth final (holy $hit!)
Roberts
Milnieki
Mazen
Selby
Zharinov
Alanen

Will update results as soon as its over.

[Laura]

The results in the US Open RS standard only got weirder and weirder. I will not comment further to comply with DF guidelines :)
Arrrrgh! Dying to know how it went....

So, what surprised you about the Smooth final, or was your "holy" comment related to how cool it must have been to see it?

[jivechica]

so who do you think should not have been in the latin final? (hope that complies with DF rules).. since I'm not there I'd like as many opinion as possible :)

[syncopationator]

Cabaret:
Top 3:
1.Eric and georgia(FYI - she wore heels)
2.Jessie and kimberlu
3.Michael and danielle

Smooth final:
1.Roberts
2.Mielniki
3.Alanen
4.Zharinov
5.Mazen
6.Selby

Gotta dance in the RS Pro/Am latin in the moring. Good Night!!!

[Laura]

Arrrrgh! Dying to know how it went....
OMG, OMG, results up on SuperShag now...am jumping up and down...have texted congrats to my teachers. (Doing the happy dance on my sofa right now....)

[syncopationator]

Arrrrgh! Dying to know how it went....

So, what surprised you about the Smooth final, or was your "holy" comment related to how cool it must have been to see it?

So many new couples, and RS couples thatd didn't even win RS!!! It was an incredible final and Valentina is beautiful!!!

[syncopationator]

so who do you think should not have been in the latin final? (hope that complies with DF rules).. since I'm not there I'd like as many opinion as possible :)

My final:
Cocci
Katsevman
Barzuk
Skemelis
Kurakins
Lewandowskis
Honorable mention: The couple that won the RS Latin (can't believe I can't remember their name)

[jivechica]

Oddly enough, I wasn't there but from what I've seen, I'd pick the same final ... can't wait to see the videos. Thanks for the updates!!! :)

[mamboqueen]

so you were off by 2, right?

[njdancegirl]

Seems pro latin the final to make these days. Andre/Elena were missing which left a hole, but some newer and upcoming couples are pushing some of the older (not age, but rather years together) towards the bottom of the final and potentially out of it altogether in the not so distant future. Excellent for the new blood, but has got to be hard to swallow for those couples getting pushed down/out.

[mamboqueen]

Seems pro latin the final to make these days. Andre/Elena were missing which left a hole, but some newer and upcoming couples are pushing some of the older (not age, but rather years together) towards the bottom of the final and potentially out of it altogether in the not so distant future. Excellent for the new blood, but has got to be hard to swallow for those couples getting pushed down/out.

Funny...I was just thinking myself that if Andre and Elena had competed, one of the regulars would have been bumped out of the final completely. Ouch! It will be interesting to see how some of the newer, up-and-comers will crack their way into the final. I think things are going to get very exciting in pro latin.

[njdancegirl]

Funny...I was just thinking myself that if Andre and Elena had competed, one of the regulars would have been bumped out of the final completely. Ouch! It will be interesting to see how some of the newer, up-and-comers will crack their way into the final. I think things are going to get very exciting in pro latin.

Exactly. With Eugene and Maria now pro, they are a given in the top position(s) depending on who else is there. Ilya and Nadia and Delyan and Boriana, who typically are in the middle of the final, were at the bottom. Pavlo and Anna and Jurgo and Vaidotas (sp?) are now moving towards the middle and up. And what about the Paramanovs? Did they not dance or did they not make the final?!? That is an event I would have liked to have seen.

Standard is pretty static right now, rhythm pretty open which is also exciting and smooth seems to be a flip flop between Jonathon/Valentina and Tomas/JT from comp to comp in first position, which is excellent for J/V being a new couple together.

[mamboqueen]

Exactly. With Eugene and Maria now pro, they are a given in the top position(s) depending on who else is there. Ilya and Nadia and Delyan and Boriana, who typically are in the middle of the final, were at the bottom. Pavlo and Anna and Jurgo and Vaidotas (sp?) are now moving towards the middle and up. And what about the Paramanovs? Did they not dance or did they not make the final?!? That is an event I would have liked to have seen.



Jurga (and yes, Vaidotas). I am very glad they have advanced. I have not seen them in person, only on OSB, but seems like they must have made great strides since then to bump up. Very happy for them as they are a pleasure to watch.

Last night's pro latin was closed to US competitors; tonight the Paramanovs will be added to the mix...and I'm not sure what other non-US competitors, but should prove to be another exciting final. So wish I was there. What's amazing is that some of these competitors do pro/am with students and then have rounds of their own competitions. Hard not to be in awe of the stamina and focus that requires.

[syncopationator]

so you were off by 2, right?

You're right. We had 21 and they had 25 so two more my way and we would have been even at 23.

[mamboqueen]

how are you feeling, sync? Saw your results -- looks like you danged beat a few more women ;)

having a good time? staying for tonight's comp? need some detailed reports, amigo!

[GJB]

... Last night's pro latin was closed to US competitors; tonight the Paramanovs will be added to the mix...and I'm not sure what other non-US competitors, but should prove to be another exciting final...

The only big name European couple I recognized on the heat list is Dmitri Timokhin & Natalie Petrova. BTW, there is an ad in Dancebeat for a studio in GA that mentions Natalie. I wonder if they moved to the U.S.?

[ChaChaMama]

My main event today was the standard section of the 10 dance. I ended up placing 4th 3/3/3/3/2/6/5/5/5/6. Missed 3rdlace by 1 mark, however, I was the difference between the 1st and 2nd place results as my jive placing decided the winner - yes I feel good about that. I congratulated the winner and let her know she owed me a drink :)


Congratulations, sync!

Do you remember at Capital when I said I thought jive was your best dance? Do I have a good eye or what?

You should be thrilled. Enjoy your final events!

[njdancegirl]

Thursday 9/4 7:00 PM
Today was dissapointing to say the least. After a good start to the day in the single dances, the Silver Latin championships began with a bang. I danced the best I've ever danced in the semi-final. Unfortunately that was still the best I ever danced, as murphy's law prevailed in the final and after stumbling in my cha cha, a lazy samba, losing my balance several times in the rumba and running out of fuel in the jive, I placed a dissapointing but deserving 4th. With my confidence completely shot I danced without emotion in the open gold championship and didn't make it out of the quarter (although I learned later that I was only 4 marks away from a recall into the semi). With 2 events left in the day I decided to scratch from the open scholarship and regain my focus for the latin section of the silver 10-dance championship. With nothing to lose iand better composure I delivered a solid performance (or at least it felt that way).

Sync, sounds like you're being hard on yourself. 4th is hardly disappointing, nor was your 10 dance results. Looks like all the DF's did well in Florida this week, yourself included.

[njdancegirl]

Last night's pro latin was closed to US competitors; tonight the Paramanovs will be added to the mix....

That's right...they are from Canada...forgot that. Tonight's open latin should prove quite interesting then with the additional competitors.

[syncopationator]

Sync, sounds like you're being hard on yourself. 4th is hardly disappointing, nor was your 10 dance results. Looks like all the DF's did well in Florida this week, yourself included.

Thanks!

FYI - cantski won the RS pro/am open championship this morning.

[syncopationator]

Its Sunday night and I'm finally home and very tired. Saturday night was great.

It was great fun meeting and seeing all the DF'ers that were in attendance. It makes things so much more memorable when you have friends with the same passion for dance around all week to share in the overall experience.

I'm looking forward to taking a week or two off from dance to recoup and refocus.

I was chatting with Joe Howard for a bit after him and Leissa won the 9-Dance. He said that shortly after they won and walked off the floor Igor Pilipenchuk grabbed them and told them something along the lines of great job, now forget about it and get to work on the next project. I thought a lot about that today. Its true, you can't put too much emphasis on past accomplishments no matter how recent they were because someone is already working on trying to figure out how they will beat you. So that's my where my focus is now. I had a fabulous time at USDSC, some successes, some dissapointments, but now its time to move on. Good night everyone!

[samina]

Igor Pilipenchuk grabbed them and told them something along the lines of great job, now forget about it and get to work on the next project. I thought a lot about that today. Its true, you can't put too much emphasis on past accomplishments no matter how recent they were because someone is already working on trying to figure out how they will beat you. So that's my where my focus is now. I had a fabulous time at USDSC, some successes, some dissapointments, but now its time to move on. Good night everyone!

well-said, sync. i'm right there with ya.

to another year of fun, hard work, and new achievements! :cheers:

will be fun to see what USDC '09 brings in comparison... :)

[Standarddancer]

Congrats Sync for your success and glad you enjoyed the event!!!

congrats Cantski for winning RS pro/am open championship! that's a very prestigious title!

[syncopationator]

Congrats Sync for your success and glad you enjoyed the event!!!

congrats Cantski for winning RS pro/am open championship! that's a very prestigious title!

Thanks... and by the way, you guys looked great on Friday night. Cantski got some really good photos of you.

[Standarddancer]

thanks sync for kind words and Cantski for taking photos for us.

where I can find Cantski's photos? Is that on photoreflect?

Sorry missed both of you Friday night, I was hiding at corner of stage warming up, after dance, I spent whole night washing hair since the pro lady did my hair glued rhinestones to my hair and when I finally got rid of all the rhinestones & sticky glues, it's past 2am in the morning:(

guess I will meet you guys at OSB?

[Standarddancer]

Cantski got some really good photos of you.

Where could I find Cantski's photos? I did a search on photoreflect dot com, nothing came up

[syncopationator]

I'm sure cantski took a million photos and has not had time to upload everything. you should PM him.

We'll see you at Ohio or Hotlanta if decide to go.

[Standarddancer]

ok just pm'd Cantski. Thanks and hopefully see you soon:)