2nd Place U.S. Salsa Open Championships

Oakland, California, USA

Over the weekend of 12-14 July, 2013, professional Salsa dancers and Latinissimo representatives;

Giancarlo & Masha who also reached the semifinals on TVONE's New Zealand's Got Talent, took it upon themselves to be first ever New Zealand representatives at one of the largest Salsa dance competitions in the World. The Annual US Salsa Open Championships held in Oakland, California, right on the outskirts of San Francisco.

Giancarlo & Masha entered the much anticipated Professional Salsa Showcase category placing 2nd among dancers from across the USA, Canada and Colombia. Giancarlo & Masha became a hot topic among professional Salsa dancers and judges who attended the competition.

Top 3 Giancarlo & Masha posing with the top contestants from Vancouver, Canada and New Jersey, USA.

The Judges comments

The judging panel consisting of some of the most respected Salsa, Latin and Latin Hustle World Champions, such as Head Judge; Billy Fajardo and World Salsa Champion judge Anya Katsevman congratulated Giancarlo & Masha saying they never knew New Zealand had such strong Salsa dancers and wish to see more of them in future competitions in the USA.

With Giancarlo & Masha's speed, technique and "clever choreogrphy arrangement" as head judge Billy Fajardo put it, they can go a long way in the strict competitive US Salsa scene. Multiple World Salsa and US Latin Champion Anya Katsevman said,

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- It would be great to have another great couple competing. With what you bring to the floor, you guys have the potential of being the next untouchable couple.
Anya Katsevman

Giancarlo & Masha US Salsa Open

Giancarlo & Masha take the floor at the Marriot Hotel in Oakland, California at the US Salsa Open placing 2nd in the Salsa "on1" Professional Showcase category.

About Latinissimo

Latinissimo was first founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2003 specializing in street Latin dance. 2005 Latinissimo relocated to Auckland, New Zealand.

Directed by World Salsa Champion Giancarlo, Latinissimo as a school has performed, taught and competed across 4 continents, are multiple international and national champions and have produced two World Amateur Salsa Champions.

  • Latinissimo Dance New Zealand
  • 0210 29 88 164
  • Email us HERE
  • Empire Dance Studios, 2 Bond St, Auckland

Auckland Grey Lynn

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