so rankings dont actually mean that much!? cos the very experienced pros dont enter the littler ones!??

Don't know why the top british/english ballroom dancers are not in SCD. Agree with bendymixer that Anton and Erin are not anywhere near the top British couple in ballroom, and Anton (by his own admission) has little aptitude for latin, which is presumably why he and erin do not take part in the proffessional dance demonstration, which has been latin so far.

However, in the latin field, the top two British male dancers, Matthew Cutler and Darren Bennett (ranked no. 1 British couple with Lilia Kopylova) are in the SCD competition. So as far as latin goes, we do have the top British dancers. Also, in the UK closed competition, Ian and Camilla came 2nd to Darren and Lilia, so nationally they would rank highly too.

I assume they would not approach dancers representing other countries if they could get the top British couples/dancers.

Perhaps some top professionals don't want to take four months out of their lives to take part in SCD.

The pro's personality will also play a part - although there are better dancers than Anton, he may have got the job because he has a TV-friendly personality.

Brendan and camilla has beaten Darren and Lilla in competition before now

When? D and L only turned professional in 2003 and B and C finished dancing together in 2004. I don't recall them beating D and L in the only year they could have competed, but I may have forgotten!

Blackpool 2003 sept

Thanks! Mind you, that was just after D and L turned professional, and they soon over took them. Shame b and C split it would have made competition really exciting! I think Darren and Lilia would definitely have the edge now though whatever, not just on ability and choreography, but also in the connection they have when they dance, which must make it a plus to be a private couple and well as a professional one.

i think Karen is the best Professional by far!! and definately the best eacher, when i saw Bill i wrote him off straight away but he's come a long way! I think her brilliant personality has sumthing to with that too.

I think anton is the best male ballroom and Darren the best male Latin

As a couple Darren and Lillia have the best connection and vibe

Yea I think Darren may have a little crush on Lillia!

Think we may be at crossed purposes. I meant Darren Bennett and Lilia have a wonderful connection as professional dancers. I would hope he would have a crush on her as they are married!

Lol sorry, picked it up wrong! Yea I think Darren B and Lillia are amazing, Its my dream to meet them and have a lesson with them!

i also meant Darren B and Lillia lol, tho lillia made Darren G blush the other day how sweet lol

I'm seeing them on Saturday night in Slough, they are rushing there straight from the BBC studios! Saw them last month at the British Dance Federation night of 100 stars. Hope you get the chance to see them live - absolutely brilliant!

Wow did u get to talk to them? I think married couples always have something a little bit extra special on the floor!

wow what i wouldn't give to see Karen live **sighs** swirls of colours and limbs, how much fun! i wish she had a decent partner it wud be amazing!

Yes I did. They were both really friendly and natural. A really lovely couple - nice to know they are as together in real life as they come across on TV.

There was this really good video interview with them but I can't find it

Could it be the one on chatshow.net? Hope this helps!

yep thats the one, good isnt it!

totally agree with your comments bewest.

as Blackpool is never ever held in September cant find any results but i am looking to see the 2003 MAY results . I wonder what this years rankings will be since splitting from nIcole cutler matthew has only been on the floor a short timewith new partner.

As for SCD selection I dont think the rankings apply its just personality and wanting to take part some of the top professionals dont have the personality for it and many are comitted to travelling to comps all over the world or demonstrating

On achievement yes Karen Hardy is the best professional in show

BRITISH PROFESSIONAL LATIN CHAMPIONSHIP

Wednesday 28th May 2003

Results:

1st
075 BRYAN WATSON and CARMEN Germany
2nd
165 PAUL KILLICK and HANNA KARTTUNEN England
3rd
115 SLAVIK KRYKLYVYY and KARINA SMIRNOFF U.S.A
4th
205 MICHAEL WENTINK and BEATA South Africa
5th
097 MATTHEW CUTLER and NICOLE England
6th
094 DMITRI TIMOKHIN and ANNA BEZIKOVA Russia
7th 202 MICHAEL MALITOWSKI and JOANNA LEUNIS Poland


BRITISH NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL LATIN CHAMPIONSHIP

Thursday 21st November 2003

Results:

1st
12 PAUL KILLICK & HANNAH KARTTUNEN
Beckenham

2nd
17 DARREN BENNETT & LILIA KOPYLOVA
Sheffield
3rd
18 BRENDEN COLE & CAMILLA DALLERUP
Wallington
4th
16 ANDY KAINZ & KELLY KAINZ Sutton
5th
11 VINCENT SIMONE & FLAVIA CACACE Guilford
6th
15 BRUCE LAIT & CRYSTAL MAIN Ipswich

The first results are the British Championships open to world In May 2003 and the second are the closed British Championships Nov 2003 Blackpool only holds comps twice a year and as you see Darren beat Brendan straight away

You are a valuable font of knowledge on this forum bendy - I mean that in a good way, not in a patronising way (I think that sometimes people misconstrue the typed word).

I can't help but wonder what the phonetic pronunciation of KRYKLYVYY is?

but according to our fountains of knowledge brendan and camilla DID beat darren and lillia!??

when? Cant find any results with Brendan beating Darren B

just reading off this post!?