The Yankee Classic

[Laura]

Mambo Queen rocked the house last night. The dress is beautiful, the dancing great. She deserved 1st place.

Now I'm doubly sorry that I was being a depressed idiot and didn't go watch her when she was out here for the San Francisco Open.

If I worked that hard to learn gold and open routines, why would I want to enter a bronze competition?

To get enough points for Top Student?

Also, 4 costume changes seemed a bit much.

Oh! To have a fashion show!

Olga Bylim (sp?)

The Bylims are still around! I have them on tape the year they won the US Rising Star Standard. It's so nice to hear that she's dancing great and looking gorgeous.

 

[Laura]

I don't think it's the "DF Ilya" because I saw him online when I got home last night....unless he's quick to his laptop!

The DF Ilya isn't a pro, so it wasn't him.

 

[mamboqueen]

Hey CCM - how'd you get that done so fast??!!!

The competition was great to watch, especially the ama latin. Val and Valeria were in front of us for a good part of the time (I think I was on the opposite side of the floor as you, CCM). That young man's legs should be declared a lethal weapon in jive. Just unbelievable...and he seemed to have even more energy the 3rd time around. They were really better than many of the pro's I saw.

There was an unfortunate incident in RS Standard where many couples were in the corner during quickstep and one couple went right into the tables. The guy "protected" her and they finished, but I'm sure they were a little shook up.

As for the rythym, I was closer to Ilya and Lori and thought they were fantastic. The Hauers were really too far for me to view well. Two couples scratched, according to the program.

Anik and Alain were a lot of fun to watch. They did quite a bit of "schtick" in their routines, various wardrobe and music malfunctions. Also did a humorous Godfather routine, although I thought the ending was quite a bit predictible. Very nice to watch.

For smooth - I had Steven and Yulia the whole way. She looked stunning and seemed to have great stretch and extension.

Lots of fun. Went to the party for a short bit afterwards, but WAY too tired to stay. I left and Michelle was still schmoozing....

 

[mamboqueen]

The DF Ilya isn't a pro, so it wasn't him.

Well, of course, I found this out *after* I went and asked him. I had to laugh because he said he doesn't post, but he reads.


Good luck to all the competitors competing today. I hope the A/C is working well! Give us some reports later on, please

 

[DancingJools]

Congratulations, MQ. I am so happy for you. When are we going to see pics of the dress and the dancing?

 

[gingerbread]

Professional Open International Standard (11 couples)
1--Garry Gekhman and Rita Gekhman 1/1/1/1/1
2--Gherman Mustuc and Ivete Lukiosiute (sp?) 2/2/2/2/2
3--Vitaliy Vdovichenko and Lyudmila Borodulina 4/3/3/3/3
4--Lukas Chokuba and Paulina Malinowski (sp?)
5--Dimitrijus Sazinas and Erica Wells
6--Dimitry Krasnvanskiy and Julia Mincheva

thanks so much for posting ALL these results. You are the best!!!

 

[syi]

Congratulations to our local amatuer competitors!

We watched all day Sunday and I must say, it was quite a packed house with parents watching their kids. It was definately a bigger crowd than Thursday for sure. The juvenile and youth events were unbelievable. I thought the screaming was a bit excessive by some people (lady right next to me almost blew out my ear drums) but it was great to see the enthusiasm.

Overall, I thought this was a really good comp. This year they gave out cash prizes for all scholarship events (no vouchers), nice trophies and gift certificates for slippers at the Capezios stand. It felt like the organiziers really made an effort this time around to give back more to the students.

Man, I'm tired. 4 days straight! Might have to call in sick tomorrow...

 

[alemana]

Professional Open American Rhythm
1--Ilya Reyzin and Lori Ritter 1/1/1/2/2
2--Matthew Hauer and Karen Hauer 2/2/2/1/1 (audience favorite, at least in my section)
3--Ben Castellano and Diana Velonskis 3/3/3/3/3
4--Fitz Gerald St Hilaire and Kelley Walsh

that's a really small field.... i guess everybody is saving their ammo for Millenium, then the big push through the summer for embassy/USDC.

 

[mamboqueen]

Forgot to mention the showcase number by Benito and Rick Lake....Ran Kan Kan. Awesome job!

 

[alemana]

i've seen them rehearse that many times, i really like it.

 

[gingerbread]

I was surprised that SuperShag did not post the scholarship winners and pro winners as they usually do. Does anyone know how the Open scholarships went?

 

[blake.kleppe]

>Eugene and Katie - World Amatuer Latin (Semi), Pre-Champ Latin (2nd), Rising Star Am. Latin (3rd)
>Carlos and Gen - World Amatuer Latin (Semi)
>Aaron and Melissa - Rising Star Am. Latin (4th)
>Sam and Karleen - Pre-Champ Latin (5th), Rising Star Am. Latin (6th)
>Shirin and Shanker - Gold Latin (2nd)
>Marc and Brady - Gold Latin (1st)
>Firth and Kasia - Silver Latin (1st)
>Rob and Maya - Novice Latin (1st)

Congratz guys (and gals) !!!! Special congratz to E&K, A&M, C&G, and yourself Steve.

Beth and I were extremely bummed we couldnt be there... I hope to see you guys down at Manhattan!

Blake

 

[syi]

Sorry Larinda. I edited my post.

Yeah, it was weird not seeing you and your little furry grinch at this year's comp. You were certainly missed. Hope you're doing well!

 

[tanz15]

I was surprised that SuperShag did not post the scholarship winners and pro winners as they usually do. Does anyone know how the Open scholarships went?

Did Supershag attend Yankee this year? I thought they were not planning to.

 

[mamboqueen]

They didn't go this year or last year.