Chicago Windy City Sept4-6

[elisedance]

How did you do that?
Thats the first time I saw the break down....
I guess the judges must have been blown away by my all too gorgeous partner,

[etp777]

heh, i've spent a good amount of time tracking down my collection of sources of dance information. 

[etp777]

One number I found particularly interesting tonight was a pro/am showdance with two guys.  It was just a really fun number, and was definitely favorite of the crowd (and I guess the judges too, was talking to someone during those results, but looks like they won)

[elisedance]

I thought that was neat too - wondered how the judges would react, there's obviously notihng wrong with it but you never know whats going on in their heads...

[etp777]

Definitely.  I know I didn't agree with all the scoring on the latin scholarships.  Though I agreed completely with placements for pro showdance, from top to bottom.  So never know.

Also finally got to meet former pro's mom at this comp (only second comp she's been to, and I missed introduction last time as I was congratulating friends, as we went from 2 years without an FA national winner out of our region to two couples winning at same comp).  Also her brother (who I already know, as he used to teach at studio) and a cute cousin.  I was glad they were all there to see FP and her partner win tonight.  First time her mom's seen her win.  Heck, was jsut in Nevada that was first time I'd seen them win. 

[elisedance]

Sorry I must have missed their heat - was it before or after we met? 

I uploaded our competition video on you tube - the link is in the competition video topic.

[etp777]

After we met, second to last event, pro showdance. 

[elisedance]

The floor crawlers?  Wow - sure I saw them - they were both spectacular and the obvious first.  I don't follow show dance much but saw them signing autographs later - so I assume they are pretty well established leaders, are they?

[etp777]

Third in country or so righ tnow, depending on how you rate them.  Not bad considering they've only been competing since march. 

Your amateur couple looked great in standard too, were the clear winners (several people around me were saying same thing).

[elisedance]

you mean pro I hope?
The result was a real weirdo but, I guess, interesting because of it.  Pro and partner are ranked on dancesportinfo at ~1800 and are ~50th in the world.  The couple that came first are interesting though.  They are ranked at 100 points lower and ranked 210!  Two things are interesting she (Tiffany Fung) was Victor Fung's amateur ballroom partner and I thought she (and partner of course) danced beautifully, a very easy going and gentle style.  The other thing is that the judges (with a couple of notable exceptions) may be stronger in smooth than standard and on that scale I could understand the scores.  In my book it should not have been close. 

The last thing is that they both also competed at embassy last night!!  It will be interesting to see their relative rankings in a big competition.

[etp777]

No, I didn't stay for pro standard, had to run catch train.  The amateur latin couple we were talking about Friday won standard last night too.  Artem and Katerina.  Heh, her gown, or at least the floats, were even same colors as yours.  Was a little strange. 

[elisedance]

Oh yes, we had quite the field yesterday!  And just 5 of us in the team.  Made for a great spirit...

This was Artem and Katerina's first comp together - there was a bit of uncertainly but obviously to be expected so I think they and coaches were pleased.