A St. Albert duo competed at the Northern Lights Classic 2012 Dance Competition and scooped up two gold medals.
Local ballroom dancers Marc Pinco, 18, and Victoria Metera, 15, competed last Saturday at the Central Lions Senior Recreation Centre. They soft-shoed their way into first place, winning the adult gold standard for ballroom and the adult gold Latin.
This is the first time the dancesport pair competed exclusively in adult categories. When asked if the win was expected, Pinco replied: “Yes and no. We knew we could push ourselves to the Top 3. But when we got right to top, it was unexpected. We put a lot of effort into it. We showed we deserved it and we’re proud of it.”
What is unusual about their win is that they have only partnered together since the end of November.
“We competed last year with different partners. My previous partner thought of ballroom dancing as a hobby. Victoria and I were both trying to find more committed partners, and it was suggested we try together. We’re serious about it and we want to compete in worlds and that takes a lot of discipline,” explained the Bellerose High graduate.
To compete in the adult standard category, pairs must dance four dances: a waltz, tango, slow fox trot and a quickstep. In the Latin category, dancers must perform a samba, cha cha, rumba and jive.
Each dance is judged not only on technique, but also showmanship. Pairs must be prepared to jump from character to character. For instance the tango is passionate, whereas the rumba feels romantic. Dancers in the foxtrot float across the floor whereas the cha cha is all about cool.
“For Victoria and I, the standard is way easier. In Latin we have to put on a show. We’re a bit timid, so we have to break out of our shell and push ourselves to compete.”
The duo will compete once more at the Feb. 25 Winter Classic dance competition in Calgary.
“It’s a bigger competition and there are more competitors. It will be a big test for us. It will be our big chance to prove we can take home first. It will be a big challenge, but we are ready to take it on.”
Once the competition season has finished, the pair starts practicing for the next dancesport level above gold – the prechampionship level.
“This is the best I’ve ever danced with a partner. All we want to do is dance.”
