VERY SUPERSTITIOUS Ballroom greats share their cherished competition customs with Marianka Swain

Karen Hardy, former Dusan Dragovic and Mark and Olga Elsbury, World Masters Professional Greta Laurinaityte, four-time British Latin champion Amateur Ballroom National Amateur My one ritual before every fi nalists at Blackpool Ballroom champions competition and performance Just before a competition or Olga: On a competition day, is a cup of tea – real English performance we think about I believe you shouldn’t lend tea! No matter where I am in our secret word, which we’ve things to people, as you’ll be the world, that’s my must- chosen because it epitomises giving success away, so if have. I found Russia one of the movement of our bodies, you ask me for something, the hardest places to source especially tango – our best I’m afraid the answer’s no! it and Thailand had the dance. It helps us focus on Mark: I’m not that most weird-tasting. A lot of creating a different world, full superstitious, but I’ll avoid people are confused when of passion, emotion and the the obvious ones on the day they see me adding milk to feelings between a man and a of a comp, like not walking my tea, particularly when woman. That focus means we under ladders, and some they realise it’s cold milk. can come out full of energy, less obvious ones, like not I’m a true Englishwoman! ready to show the audience walking under signposts something new and exciting. or stepping on drains. Flavia Cacace, Strictly Come Dancing Shirley Ballas, former Joanna Leunis, six-time champion 2012 International and UK British Open Professional Before every show I have to Open Professional Latin champion brush my shoes, and every Latin champion A little traditional ritual of time I come off stage I do I used to always brush my mine that I’ve been doing for the same before I go back shoes and castor oil them. a long time, especially before on. I do it as often as I can. I had to have the same going on the fl oor to perform, towel for 20 years. And I is singing out loud or making Csaba Csetneki, Men’s always walked on from the vocal sounds like “AOMS”. I Same-Sex Ballroom World left side of the stage. have to admit I’m not a great champion with Balázs Gáti singer, so I don’t think it’s very We have a little break before “A LITTLE pleasant for anyone nearby, competitions – we need TRADITIONAL RITUAL but I do feel it helps me get out the rest from dancing, from OF MINE THAT of my mind and into my body. the routine and from each I’VE BEEN DOING other! We always say: “Let’s FOR A LONG TIME, Gary Lyness and have a great performance, ESPECIALLY BEFORE Paula Moulton AKA just like in training,” and GOING ON THE FLOOR Strictly Wheels, before the fi nals, I like to TO PERFORM, IS International Amateur sing a song from Funny Girl SINGING OUT LOUD Wheelchair Dancesport with the lyrics changed: “I’m OR MAKING VOCAL Latin champions the greatest star, I am by SOUNDS LIKE ‘AOMS’” Our only superstition before far, and let them know it!” JOANNA LEUNIS we go on is a big hug! ●

OCTOBER 2013 \ DANCE TODAY 37