Every judge chosen was well known throughout the world, and have established themselves as Ambassadors of Salsa through their many years of competing, teaching, showcasing, and promoting the business. They’ve also earned respect and reverence from their peers, worldwide. The distinguished panel of judges was: George Watabe from Japan, Spin from Korea, Nelson Flores, Jamie Josephson, and Luis Zegarra, from New York. Stacey Lopez, Tito and Tamara from Puerto Rico, and myself (Edie, The Salsa FREAK) from Los Angeles / Miami. Billy Fajardo was the head judge, and Katy Marlow was in charge of tabulating scores.

It was difficult to judge what seemed at times to be apples and oranges. The judges were asked to rate each couple from 1 (lowest score) to 10 (highest score) based on various performance criteria the judging committee specified. Professional Salsa judges base their final decisions on the perfection and execution of each move. Was it a clean routine? Did they dance with the music? Were they on time? How was their visual presentation, costumes and grooming? How complex was their routine?  Did the guy just stand there and spin the girl most of the time?  Was she doing all the work out there?  How creative was their routine? Did they compliment each other as a dance “couple”? The criteria given to us were simple, but every judge used their years of Salsa dancing experience far more than what was on that sheet of paper to base his or her final decisions.

The Sport of Salsa
Watching this competition was like watching an Olympic Figure Skating championship, or a Gymnastic Olympiad. The beautiful thing about Salsa dancing is its flexibility as both a social dance and a sport. The sport of it highlights the agility and flexibility of the moves, the artistic talents of the contestants, and the endurance of the athletes to maintain their energy throughout the entire number. Salsa Competitions also demonstrate the speed, control, and balance required to execute each routine flawlessly for the judges.

In the Cabaret division, couples are allowed to perform death-defying lifts and tricks, wowing the audience with their flexibility and agility as athletes. The balance, strength, speed and ability is identical to Ice Skaters lifting their partners off the ice in beautiful, picturesque poses.  In fact, there are many professional Salsa dancers who train world-class Olympian ice skaters in lifts and poses. The Cabaret division demonstrates the enormous strength and endurance of each couple.

The Team divisions were also able to execute “off-the-floor” moves that impressed the audience and judging panel. Every couple did an outstanding performance. There were a few that got the jitters out there, whether it was from the floor, or nerves from the television cameras. It was unusual for these couples to be showcased in such a large arena. The dance floor was enormous, and the arena could house well over 5,000 people.

To earn first place in the On-One and On-Two divisions, you had to be head and shoulders above the rest. In other words, there were the winners, and then there was a gap, and then there was the rest. You could see the depth and quantity of hours dancing together in the winning routines. I always say, that a quality routine is based on the quantity of time you spend together, rather than the quality of time. Luda and Oliver (On-Two winners - Australia) have been dancing together now for ten years and have competed many times before. Abel and Ziomara (On-One winners – Los Angeles) have been together now for two years, and rehearse virtually every day.

It helps to have a deep, mature partnership. It was interesting that both couples that won first place are not married to each other, nor are in a dating relationship together. They are strictly dance and business partners that share a love for the music and competing.

The Team division was more difficult to judge during the preliminaries because each team had timing issues. Timing in the Team division meant that one or more couple was not in sync with the rest of the group. In a Team competition, you are only as strong as your weakest link.

It wasn’t until the finals on Saturday, that the team called “Pretty Boys and Girls” from San Francisco showed their true colors – literally. They came out with the flashiest, most beautiful costumes, and executed a nearly flawless routine.

The Cabaret division was the most difficult to judge. The top three were Jhesus and Marielys from Puerto Rico, Rodrigo and Yesenia from Los Angeles, and Ricardo and Viviana from Cali Colombia. Each one of them could have taken first place. In the preliminary rounds, one couple didn’t display enough Salsa dancing, as part of the rules were that over 50% of the routine had to be recognizable Salsa. The judging criteria specified that a proper representation of Salsa dancing with lifts should clearly distinguish it from other gymnast-type of sports. The couple from Colombia clearly represented Salsa dancing with a few lifts and tricks both at the preliminary and final rounds. The other couples either made major mistakes in their routines or did not dance enough Salsa during the preliminary rounds that cost them the title at the finals.

Edie’s Personal Thoughts…
Cut the Fake and Stiff Left Arm While Walking Onstage.
I know this was an event for television, but the way the girls came out on the dance floor looked too much like a Ballroom competition. Their left arms pointed out looked too fake, and too stiff. Instead of Salseras trying to “copy” what the ballroom dancers do, we should come out with our own Salsa Style of walking out the dance floor. After speaking to a few social dancers each night after the competition, many were taken aback by this type of presentation. I personally would have liked to see a less stiff, more relaxed flowing movement of the hands; a more flowing, stylish, comfortable caress in the air, in and out, softly brushing the hip, up and out, with beautiful arm and finger styling. Why not let the ballroom women take a look at how “We Salseras” grace the stage prior to performing, and have THEM copy US for a change.

Audience should be allowed to social dance prior to the competition and between divisions.
It would have made the contest seem much less shorter if we took a “social dance” break for a song or two between divisions, and had social dancing start early in the evening before the competition started. We judged for literally four hours. Prior to the competition, DJ Frank from Los Angeles was playing some KILLER Salsa music. There was an exquisite dance floor, stunning music, and Salseros just SITTING THERE in the bleachers waiting for the competition to begin. I was in shock. I wanted to get up and dance so bad, but I had the feeling that I would have been the only one, and stared down by everyone! I think that most people felt they “weren’t allowed to dance” or something.

Make the Final, the "Final". Eliminate point accumulation.
Again, this is my personal opinion, but I feel that an accumulation of points over two days is not necessary, nor fair. The way couples dance at the finals should be the final decision, period. Judges should judge solely on how the couple does that night – not try to remember how much better they performed from the night before, or accumulate points from the night before. As in the Olympics, you only get one chance for that gold. Not an accumulation over time. This makes for a less controversial event, especially if only the finals are shown on television, or if people can only make it to the finals on Saturday, missing the preliminaries.

Where were the New York competitors in the On-Two Division?  Hm?  What's up with that NEW YORK??? 
No comment.   .:(

Even if they don’t change a thing, it was a fabulous, well-run, professional event. It was an honor and privilege to be asked to judge this competition. The social dancing afterward was to die for. The Salseros from Las Vegas ROCK’D MY WORLD!!! They are really, REALLY good!

It’s about time that those that have taken Salsa dancing to its highest level be recognized throughout the world on ESPN. Who knows where this will go… Salsa, “Cirque du Soleil” style…? The possibilities are endless.

Next Years' Event:  see www.atpevents.com for complete details!