Gian & Masha - 2011 Australian Salsa Open Champions!

Giancarlo and Masha have done it once again! This time claiming 1st place in the Professional division at the 2011 Australian Salsa Open Championships held in Sydney on Saturday 28 May, 2011.

Just 4 weeks ago (April 30th), Giancarlo & Masha took out 1st place at the Swedish National Salsa Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. At present they have scored a "hat-trick" by holding 3 current National salsa titles in 3 countries;

1. Current and undefeated New Zealand Professional Salsa Champions,
2. Current Swedish Professional Salsa Champions and now;
3. Current Australian Professional Salsa Open Champions.

This is an unprecedented achievement for any dancer.

The Australian Salsa Open Championships is the official and only entry to the World Salsa Open in San Juan, Puerto Rico for Australian and New Zealand dancers. Giancarlo and Masha’s recent win include participation in the round of national winners at the World Salsa Open (Round 2 of the World Championship), 2x return tickets to Puerto Rico and accommodation for the duration of the competition.

This will be the first time ever New Zealand is represented at this event and with Giancarlo and Masha being NZ's & AU's representatives, who knows, there might be a chance at the World title. With such huge responsibility, Giancarlo & Masha will put in the hours of hard work, training and preparation that lays ahead in the coming months to compete against the best salsa dancers in the world.

The World Salsa Open finals is held on Saturday 30 July, 2011.

• Read the article in The North Shore Times HERE
• Read the blog from a competitors point of view HERE
• More about the Australian Salsa Open HERE
• More about the World Salsa Open HERE
• More about Puerto Rico HERE