Not that anything was wrong with the comp itself, I thought it went very smooth.
But the biggest issue that seems to be forming is the infusion of latin couples and latin styling in American Rhythm. From the standpoint of Dancing, these couples deserved their placement, they were better dancers. But many of the couples in the Finals were also also latin competitors. The champs did a bolero that was just an International Rumba. The swings were just jives and the ChaChas of course were Latin. If they had played a slow swing like they sometimes do, I wonder how that would have affected the results. Andrew and Janie were the best "American Rhythm" dancers out there, but the Championship was won by the better dancers. They had all the elements of great dancing in comparison.
I see much of the same stuff in the Professional competitions. I think the judges are looking past the styling differences and marking accordingly. I wouldn't say Latin styling is preferred, but landing on a straight leg might have a better look than the bend to straight in American styling, and that might give them the edge.
