Dan and Maxine win in Soton

At the southern heat of the UKA Salsa Championship, held at the regular Caliente Club night, a surprise result delighted the crowd. A closely danced contest of salsa romantica and fast salsa left the judges deliberating over who had won, and the audience had to wait for fifteen minutes as the final decision was made.

Finally the result was announced. The winners were last minute entrants Dan Kay, from Chandlers Ford, and Maxine Elliot of Bitterne. Maxine was stunned, she said "I was dragged in two seconds before the contest, so there was no time to get nervous, but out on the dance floor I did get wobbly legs".

Dan and Maxine are taught by Tracie Gooch at Bannisters, and will now go on to the Grand Finals of the British Salsa Championship in London on October 1st.

Runners up were Brian Porter of Southsea, and Beverley Moore of Bitterne. They haven't danced together for very long, and Beverley was in shock after the event, saying "I only did it for the fun. It was a good laugh".

In a surprise decision, and thanks to Brian's crowd pleasing dance style the judges decided that they should also go through to the finals in London. Judge David Bresslaw of Salsa Ambiente said "It was so close. It's an unusual decision but they really deserve to go to London". Both couples now go to the Grand Final where they compete for a 10 day holiday in Miami, compliments of Dance Holidays, and entrance to the World Salsa Championship.

© 2000 Kathryn Kelly