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Nationwide Ballroom and Latin Finals 2006/07

Weekend 7th-8th April 2007 : The Winter Gardens, Blackpool

Match Report

As the dust settles on another epic Blackpool weekend, teachers, dancers, partners and spectators go wearily back to their day-to-day lives and the excitment, tension, highs and lows slip away into the memory.  This year's ballroom and latin finals was a competition of extremes for Wright Rhythm.  The stunning wins in two of the toughest categories - Kyle and Connor in the under 25 and under 16 men respectively - and Linda's double victory in the over 50 lady's (following Lynn's retirment having achieved the same feat last year) were tinged with sadness as some the dancers we know have the talent and desire to go all the way being eliminated much earlier than we would have expected.  All these joys and sorrows will, however, make us stronger both as individual dancers and as a school with a growing reputation for mutual support and friendship.

As well as the exploits of the elite competitiors from the school, this was also a year when many of the newer dancers to to the club came into their own.  In every age group and at every level we are developing a strength in depth that must be the envy of other schools across the country.  Right from our rosettes, Charley, Rhianna and Ryan (who achieved 9th place in the boys 5-7 years) through to adult Blackpool first timers, Steve, Jo, Glenn and Sylvia everyone presented themselves, and hence, the school in the best possible light.  Paula, Gilli and Mark have every right to be extremely proud and we should in turn thank them for all the hard work they have put in over the year to make us the dancers we are.

Of course, the successful dancers are, rightly, showered with praise and glory but they would be nothing without the hard work and support of their partners.  Two in particular should be singled out for their commitment even though they weren't competing themselves - Kieran and Liesa must bathe in the reflected glory that the success of their partners has brought upon them.

Finally, for all those of you who didn't go to Blackpool this year you missed a treat.  It is an experience not to be missed, whether as a competitor, partner or spectator there's something about the Blackpool magic that just doesn't occur at any other competition and just gets stronger and stronger the more you go - get your dancing shoes back on, book your tickets and set your sights on Blackpool 2008... 

Finallists

Special mention must go to all this year's finallists.  Once again we brought home four first places and improved on last year by returning 13 trophy winners.  You can, of course, find all the results over at www.scrutelle.info .

Photos 

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the 'photo stack' for this competition - especially Pru, Kieran, Andy and Paula.  I've been left with over 2500 photos to sort through!  Below are some of the very best, I'll (eventually) be burning the rest to a CD for everyone to browse through at their own convenience.