The Southport Saga

Back in July this year, there was an Amateur Ten Dance competition at Southport . Mistakes were made and the results have been under review since then.

The story in brief.
An error was made by the scrutineer that was not picked up by the Chairman. That resulted in one couple not being in a final that they should have made. When EADA eventually managed to get hold of the results, they were then given to an experienced judge for analysis. After deliberation, it has been decided to let the result stand, but to award joint 6th place to the couple that were not recalled to the waltz final when they should have been.

So what went wrong?
Ten dance competitions differ from others in that the recalls are per dance. So, you may get enough recalls to make the Waltz final, but not enough for - say - Foxtrot.

Unfortunately in this case, the ballroom was treated by the scrutineer like an ordinary five dance comp and the recalls for all 5 dances were added together to select the finalists (for the ballroom section). This recall sheet was then presented to the Chairman to check and sign off, but unfortunately on this occasion the error was not noticed.

And what was done about this?
After the competition this problem was brought to the attention of the EADA office. EADA asked for the results to be sent to us. Initially the scrutineer only sent the recalls for the Ballroom section, and despite numerous requests and remenders, the complete results were not forthcoming. Eventually, we managed to get the results by asking those that attended the comp to send in photos of the results.

After collecting the results and establishing this was an accurate record, they were sent to an expert for analysis. He confirmed that there was indeed an error. A close look at the score showed that one couple should have made the final in Waltz, but was not recalled. This was the only error that was made.

Further examination and some heafty maths (which needed the results from the latin section as well) showed that if the missed couple had made the Waltz final and won that dance, they would have come 6th over all. More devilishly clever maths showed that if the couple had done the Waltz final and come last in that dance, they still would have come 6th over all. It was therefore decided that the best course of action would be to award that couple 6th place.

That just leaves the question of what to do with the couple originally awarded 6th? It was decided that it was due to no fault on their part, so to relegate them was unfair. (Also who is to say they would not have danced better in Quickstep if they had rested in the Waltz?) They therefore keep the points for 6th place as well.

Submitted by martyn 6/10/2006