UK Open Pro Ballroom
Report by Martyn

So who do I have to kill to get tickets for Wednesday?”

This was the opening gambit in my endeavours some time ago to get tickets for the UK Open. I wanted Wednesday more than any other because it was the pro- ballroom and it promised to be something special.



The reason this was going to be a very interesting contest was because there were a number of new partnerships to throw into the mix - and a number of new rivalries! Just before the International last year, Jonathan Wilkins and Katusha Demidova ended their long partnership. Katusha teamed up with Arunas Bizokas the former Amateur World Champion. Jonathan partnered up with Hazel Newberry who I'm sure you all know was World Champion 3 times with Christopher Hawkins.





So this lead to some interesting speculation - would they all make the final? Which former partner would come out on top? How would exciting prospects like Domenico Soale and Gioia Cerasoli do? On paper, there would seem to be more potential Grand Slam finalists than there were spaces in the final.


Then there were the newcomers to the pro scene, our own Warren and Kristie Boyce, how would they fair in all this?



We got to the BIC to see the early rounds.
To give you an idea of what the day was like, I had just finished saying that during the quickstep Domenico Soale wasn't really doing anything to "stand out" when he did a curving run in a tight circle covering half the floor, then on being boxed in the corner broke into a charslton dancing literally cheek to cheek with Gioia. He completely dominated the room to appreciative applause from the audience. So much I know!

This seemed to be the way of the day, at one moment one couple would look on top, then another would shine- it was impossible to predict.

We watched the others, trying to look for clues as to who would come out on top in the evening but they all looked on top form.




Come the evening, I heard one sentence many times around the room "I'm glad I'm not judging!" . By the quarter finals it was still anyone's guess.



Warren and Kristie made it back to the semi, to their obvious delight, and they deserved to be there! So congratulations to them. The semi did not make it any easier to chose the last six, with all showing some moments that would secure their place, and to be honest, some moments that would throw that place into doubt


In the interval before the final, everywhere people were counting on their fingers who they placed as the last six, Would Soale make it back? Had Bizokas done enough to make a final? Who was going to miss out? Nearly everyone had a different 6.



"Ladies and Gentlemen "said the MC" we have a SEVEN couple final". An "oooh!" went around the room, followed by a slight giggle with the realisation that even the judges couldn't chose the final 6!

Into the final we had:
Domenico Soale and Gioia Cerasoli
Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry
Timothy Howson and Joanne Bolton
Jonathan Crossley and Lyn Marriner
Christopher Hawkins and Justyna Hawkins
Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova
Mirko Gozzoli Alessia Betti

Well they danced their socks off!

Between one of the dances, the MC said "Who do you think should WIN?!" which would normally meet with a barrage of shouting from partisan supporters, but this time met with a sort of "ooh I'm not sure!" . Part way through, I gave up even trying to guess the winner or the placings and just sat back to enjoy the occasion.

So we come to the results, as usual given in reverse order

"Ladies and Gentlemen, in 7th place Domenico Soale and Gioia Cerasoli...."

This was met with excited applause as they came on the floor to take their bow

" In 6th Jonathan Crossley and Lyn Marriner....

5th Christopher Hawkins and Justyna Hawkins"

The first big shock of the evening, this must have been a blow for them. the MC continued:

"4th Timothy Howson and Joanne Bolton"

I don't know how many the BIC holds, but I think it should be counted as there may be a new world record as everyone fell off their chair at the same time. Tim and Jo smiled, walked onto the floor, got about half way and were waved away.

"Sorry - I've announced the next two the wrong way around - 4th Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry"

The buzz in the room at this point was electric, this meant that Arunas and Katusha had beaten both Jonathan Wilkins and Tim Howson!

"3rd Timothy Howson and Joanne Bolton "
"In second Place..."

At this point I could see a very happy Arunas start to walk onto the floor before it was announced, clearly he felt that the win was not to be today

"Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova"

A very big cheer from a very excited audience knowing what a massive achievement this was for them

"First from Italy - Mirko Gozzoli Alessia Betti"

I have not seen the score cards, I'm sure that the placings were wide and varied. The comp really has not settled the new "form" and has raised more questions than answers. This leads to what promises to be a very interesting competition in Blackpool.

So who do I have to kill to get tickets for the May festival?