Couples vie for dancing titles

Skirts swirled and bodies gyrated yesterday as 55 couples battled it out at the Autumn Ballroom and Latin American dancing competition at the Jerma Palace Hotel in Marsascala.

Ray Gera, one of the organisers, said all 55 couples were Maltese, even though the competition was open to foreigners. The competition was organised by the Malta district of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing.

Mr Gera said that for the first time, all judges, including the scrutiniser, were Maltese, and the association was very proud of this.

The competition was divided into various categories - juveniles (divided in two categories of under nines and those under 12), juniors (12 to 15), youths (15 to 17), adults and seniors (over 35).

Mr Gera said ballroom dancing was very popular in Malta, and there were various local schools which taught this type of dance. Couples from five dancing schools - Tony Lawrence Dancing School, Josray Dancing School, Happy Days Dance Studio, Slais Dancing School and Mannick Dancing School - took part in yesterday's competition.