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Sep 12 - Gibraltar Finalists At The 2014 World Show Dance Championships

The Gibraltar National Dance Team has returned to the Rock after representing Gibraltar at the World Show Dance Championships. The event was staged in Prague, Czech Republic with nearly 2,400 dancers from 26 nations taking part. The event was organised for the renowned world governing body the International Dance Organisation (IDO) by the Czech Dance Organisation (CDO).

The competition commenced with the Children Solo Female section with 46 dancers taking part. Gibraltar was represented in this section by Cailtin Rodriguez, Elisha Lang and Janelle Ticknell-Smith. Caitlin qualified for the semi-finals amongst the top 12 children soloists finishing in an excellent 9th place. 1st place went to Slovenia, 2nd place to Serbia and 3rd place to Slovakia.

In the Children Duets section, Gibraltar was represented by Janelle Ticknell-Smith and Amy Avellano, Julianne Rodriguez and Siandayle Alman and Emma Wood and Maddison Baldachino.  The duets by Siandayle and Julieanne as well as Amy and Janelle managed to qualify for the quarter finals out of the 35 entries. 1st place went to Russia, 2nd place to Croatia and 3rd place to Italy.

The Gibraltar National Dance Team also performed in the Children’s Group section to a piece called ‘Revolting Children’. The team performed in the semi-finals finishing in 10th place out of the 32 entries. 1st place was awarded to Slovenia, 2nd place went to Serbia and 3rd place to Russia.

49 young ladies competed in the Junior Solo Female section. Gibraltar was represented by Alexandra Ballantine and Julia Francis. Alexandra qualified for the quarter finals amongst the top 24. 1st place was awarded to an excellent dancer from Russia whilst 2nd and 3rd place went to Slovenia.   

Gibraltar was also represented in the Junior Duets by Zyanne Soiza and Gianne Rodriguez. Out of the 42 entries they did not qualify from the 1st round. 1st place went to Slovenia, 2nd place to Russia and 3rd place to Norway.

In the Adult Solo Female section, Gibraltar was represented by Cora Ramirez, Jade Pau and Louise Gonzalez.  Out of the 49 entries Cora qualified for the quarter finals amongst the top 24. All top 3 places were awarded to Slovenia.

In the Adult Solo Male section, Duncan Grech and Richard De La Rosa were Gibraltar’s entries and out of the 18 entries Duncan managed to qualify for the semi final finishing in a remarkable 9th position. 1st place went to Slovenia, 2nd place to Italy and 3rd place to Slovenia.

Gibraltar participated in the Adult Female Duets and was represented by Jade Pau and Louise Gonzalez. Out of the 28 entries the dancers performed in the quarter finals. 1st place went to Norway, 2nd place to Slovenia and 3rd place to Poland.

In the Adult Couple Duets section, Gibraltar was represented Tyron Walker and Cora Ramirez as well as Richard De La Rosa and Rachel Almeida. Out of the 19 entries the both duets qualified for the semi-final finishing in 7th and 10th position respectively. 1st place went to Slovenia, 2nd place to Kazakhstan and 3rd place to Slovenia.

And the best result of them all was in the Adult Groups by the Gibraltar National Dance Team group. Out of the 32 groups the Team managed to qualify for the grand final amongst the top 7. Their piece ‘I AM MINE’ was choreographed by Jade Fedrico and managed to finish in an excellent 6th position. 1st place went to Slovenia, 2nd place to Russia and 3rd Place to Canada.      

Gibraltar was also represented by Tyron Walker and Duncan Grech at the IDO Dancers Forum as well as National Team Manager Paulette Finlayson and choreographer Gerald Rodriguez represented Gibraltar at the IDO Teachers Forum.

The official choreographers for this project were Paulette Finlayson, Gerald Rodriguez, Gillaine Alman, Genyka Celcia, Duclie Edwards, Jolene Gomez and Jade Federico.

GNDO President Seamus Byrne said: 

‘I take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors, the Cultural Grants Committee and the donations through our fundraising programme from the general public for making our participation a reality.

‘In Prague, our dancers faced tough opposition, with many countries providing a very high level of technique and incredible high standards of Show Dance. Nevertheless, Gibraltar once again proved that we can take part in international dance events organised by the IDO, at the highest level to the extent that the team managed to qualify for various rounds, culminating in 10 quarter-finals, 5 semi-finals and 1 final.

‘The Team have being great ambassadors for the Rock especially in their promotion of Gibraltar by exchanging Gibraltar paraphernalia and promoting the Government’s www.vistigibraltar.gi programme. The GNDO is delighted with the results and the remarkable performances from the Gibraltar contingent. I would like to thank the dancers and choreographers for being a team at all times via the GNDO’s unity through dance initiative. We hope that the year will serve as an educational platform for future GNDO projects especially the European Show Dance Championships that will be hosted in Gibraltar in October 2015.’

For the full results please visit: www.ido-dance.com