International sports dance competition “Salaspils Open” Škutānas dance school with Valdi Škutānas and Daci Pērkoni will hold for the twelfth time. Thanks to the large group of supporters, especially the municipality of Salaspils and the Ministry of Education and Science, one of the big championships in ST and LA dances will be held in Salaspils once again together with the ranking tournaments of the World Sports Dance Federation (WDSF).
Two years ago it was the world championship for youth in ten dances, last year for the U21 group in ST dance, and this year the same U21 group pairs will share the medal sets in the world championship in LA dance. Italians Luigi Larocca and Marika Scerra, who won silver last year and became European champions in this age group this year, will be the main favorites. Latvian couples have good chances to achieve the best result of the last years and fight for at least the quarter finals, where the best 24 will compete.
A lot of attention will be attracted by the WDSF ranking competitions for adults in ST dances and LA dances, where the strongest couples are multiple Latvian champions Romāns Dobretsovs and Violeta Levčenko, who a week ago reached the finals of the world championship in 10 dances for the second year in a row, becoming the first Latvian couple to do such a thing has done in this dance program. Vadim Šurins and Anastasija Meshkova, who competed in Salaspils last year, have achieved this in ST dances.
Two very strong pairs must be highlighted – Dmitrijs Kolobov/Signe Buska, finalists of the World and European Championships in ST dances from Denmark, and Konstantins Gorodilovs/Polina Figurenko, 8th place winners of the World and European Championships in LA dances. The new duet Marius Ilciukas/Domile Semeskevičute, who with their previous partners were just behind the finals of the world championship, will also be very strong in ST dances.
In addition to adults, young people (16-18 years old), juniors and children’s group dancers will also compete in the Dance Sport Europe tournament. ”Salaspils Open 2024″ will be the first of two major international sports dance competitions in Latvia this year, which will include one of the major championships.
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re thrilled to have with us Valdi Škutānas and Daci Pērkoni, the talents behind the “Salaspils Open” sports dance competition. Thank you for joining us!
Valdi Škutānas: Thank you for having us! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Daci Pērkoni: Absolutely! We’re excited to share our passion for dance.
Editor: This will be the twelfth edition of the “Salaspils Open”. That’s quite an achievement. What can you tell us about the journey leading up to this milestone?
Valdi: It really has been an incredible journey. We started this event with the goal of promoting sports dance in Latvia, and over the years, it has evolved into one of the major championships in the region. We’ve had support from the municipality of Salaspils and the Ministry of Education and Science, which has been instrumental in making this event possible.
Daci: Each year, we strive to create an exciting atmosphere for both competitors and spectators. It’s rewarding to see how the event has grown and how talented dancers come together from around the world.
Editor: This year, the competition will feature rankings from the World Sports Dance Federation (WDSF). How does this impact the dancers participating in the event?
Valdi: Having the WDSF ranking competitions adds a significant level of prestige. Dancers earn valuable points towards their international rankings, which ultimately affects their competitive future. For many, this is a chance to showcase their skills on a prestigious platform.
Daci: It’s also an opportunity for local dancers to compete against international couples. We are particularly excited about the U21 championship in Latin American dances, where the favorites, Luigi Larocca and Marika Scerra, will be competing. They have an impressive track record.
Editor: Speaking of competition, what are the expectations for the Latvian couples this year?
Valdi: We believe that the Latvian couples have a great chance this year. Many of them have been training hard and have shown remarkable improvements. It would be wonderful to see them make it to the quarter-finals, or even beyond.
Daci: They are certainly motivated. We have high hopes that they will showcase their talent and perhaps even surprise us all!
Editor: It’s inspiring to see such enthusiasm! What do you think sets the “Salaspils Open” apart from other dance competitions?
Valdi: The community support is a big factor. The energy from the audience and the local supporters creates an amazing environment for the competitors. Additionally, we focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere, which makes both dancers and spectators feel at home.
Daci: Absolutely, and we also prioritize the dancers’ experience. From professional judging to the venue’s organization, ensuring that each part of the competition runs smoothly is a top priority for us.
Editor: Sounds fantastic! As we look forward to this year’s event, what message would you like to share with the dancers and fans attending the “Salaspils Open”?
Valdi: We want everyone to know that this event is dedicated to celebrating dance. Whether you’re a competitor, a spectator, or someone who loves the art of dance, you are part of this special community. Let’s make memories together!
Daci: Exactly! We encourage everyone to come out, cheer on the dancers, and enjoy the electric atmosphere. Let’s make this year’s “Salaspils Open” the best one yet!
Editor: Thank you, Valdi and Daci, for your insights and for hosting such an incredible event. We wish you all the best for the competition!
Valdi & Daci: Thank you! We can’t wait to see everyone there!