We arrived at Heathrow on Thursday 7th February 2008 all set for our long flight to Vancouver. Sitting in a chair for 11 hours is obviously hard for me and even harder work for Morgan as I’m a rather hyperactive individual. Anyway, after boarding the flight, we found our seats, only to discover I was left to sit next to a 6’6’ giant (Morgan had chosen the aisle seat) impeding my surroundings. As you can imagine, I didn’t get a lot of sleep!

We arrived at Vancouver airport on time (which I’m sure you’ll agree never happens in England). Vancouver International Airport is quite fantastic, with some beautiful features such as a waterfall and tropical fish tanks - a little different to Heathrow. We (along with another two couples) were met by our driver and we all proceeded to the car. It was a great surprise to find out that the car was in fact a limo and we arrived at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre in style!

After checking into the Hotel and reaching the 24th floor, we finally got to our room (wish we had taken the Sat Nav!). The room was fantastic, a twin double bedded room, meant Morgan and I could have loads of space! Not only that but they were so very comfortable and in fact I think we could have both brought the beds home, as they were so fantastic. We had hardly eaten for 24 hours so; we decided to order room service for ease. Over dinner we looked through the information pack and schedule for the weekend, realising that Marco and Jo were to dance the IDSF Standard too. Unfortunately, we both woke at 5.30am and so lay watching a film on TV until Starbucks (which is actually inside the hotel) opened. We aren’t morning people!

We began to get changed and prepared for the competition later that day in the hotel room and took the lift straight down to the Grand Ballroom where the competition was held. What a great setup! We were then given our ‘competitors pack’ which included numbers and general running information, and were then marshalled into a holding area where we met up with Marco and Jo. Everybody was allocated their ‘flights’ (that’s heats for anyone not speaking Canadian). The International Parade then started with all 48 couples trying to squash across the dance floor for a photograph, and the competition was underway. We made the semi-final of the IDSF Standard, however, Marco and Jo made the final and danced outstandingly well. They finished second, but I’m sure top contenders for the win.

Saturday’s proceedings were almost identical to Friday, but with some different competitors and of course this time it was IDSF Latin. Again we finished in the semi final. It was an outstanding competition, with some great dancing from the best. The clear winners of the night were Andrei Zaitsev & Anna Kuzminskaja. The evening was concluded by a showcase of champions. Marco and Jo did an incredible quickstep which the crowd loved, Simone Segatori & Annette Sudol executed a Pino style waltz superbly, but the best was left until last with Jurij Batagelj & Jagoda Strukelj and their ‘Rock the Party’ show, which received a standing ovation.

Our third and final competition day was on Sunday 10th February with the IDSF World Cup Ten Dance competition and again we made the semi-final. The day was, like the previous two days, extremely well organised and ran like clockwork. There were officials from ten countries to oversee and adjudicate the event, each with a palm-top in hand! What a fabulous idea-results went directly to the scrutineer and recalls were to hand almost immediately! The International Parade was lead by two uniformed Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Grand Ballroom was fabulous and the competition was buzzing with life and everything had such an amazing atmosphere. It was a very strong final with Misa Cigoj & Alexandra Malai of Slovenia winning 1st pace.

After the competition on both Saturday and Sunday, a ‘get-together’ was arranged for all competitors, adjudicators and organisers, with a delicious buffet of food put on, which we all enjoyed. We were even taking bets on who would dare to drink from the chocolate fountain…a good chance to get to know everyone!

We had some time on Monday to see the sights, and well as doing some much loved shopping…we found the fabulous ‘Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’ which was an amazing little chocolate shop tucked in between the designer shops (guess which one we went in to!). Unfortunately the weather wasn’t so good however; we managed to stay out of the rain, with some of the huge shopping malls and by visiting about all the Starbucks in Vancouver.

The time finally came for our return; however, it wasn’t as bad as we were taken in yet again another limo. It was a long flight home…

It was a successful trip for us and we hope to return again next year. It was a great experience and we always enjoy travelling and competing in such International competitions. We felt it was important to ensure that England was represented at this event and so made enquiries in advance to ensure registration and travel arrangements. We wrote to EADA prior to registration for notification and were informed that not only could we go but also that we could use our travel fund to subsidise our flights.

Submitted by Richard 21/02/08