I would certainly not go as far as saying that: yes it raises certain questions to make sure that the system is valid and fair, but overall I see that as a huge benefit, both in terms of the visibility of the UK dance scene, and to help UK dancers to get their points to compete in the right division in the US (i.e. that people like Geordieed or DS87 have to compete in Novice in the US is wrong, IMO).
Again, I think this is not as clear cut as this. Having done 10 events in the US now, I would say that the UK Novice division is cartainly on a par with the US, and there would be enough dancers to make a perfectly reasonable Intermediate division as well (see list of dancers by FF).
We are often biaised because we tend to attend the larger events where comp is extremely fierce, but a number of dancers in 'intermediate' and 'Advanced' in the US have qualified at very small events and their dancing isn't really a reflection of the division they're in, tbh. It isn't a perfect system.
The rules in the States are very simple: you compete in the division you are qualified for (i.e. have enough points for), or you petition up/down. Usually pros can help bump you up (i.e. Maxence and Olivier Massart started at intermediate level and not Novice, so did Paul W).
Regarding the JA rules, I think that giving a time-based criteria (i.e. danced wcs for over 2 or 3 years) is probably not a good criteria in this country, given that some people may only dance every few months. I'd say that anyone should be able to register for Novice, except if:
- they teach or have taught wcs
- they have qualified out of Novice in the US
- they have been finalists in the Open category last year
The fact that people may have placed at other comps is not relevant IMO, as US rules will require that you prove consistency of placement in several comps (i.e. the 20 points to qualify out of Novice).
I'd also say that people like DS87 and others who are still in Novice in the US for lack of competitions should be able to enter Open if they choose so (and gain intermediate points if they place, which would allow them to dance intermediate in the US if they wish). People with no track records of comps should be allowed to petition up as well (can't think of anyone just now as the likes of Naomi and Kirsty have been finalists in the Open last year), the head judge being the final decision maker.
I don't know how feasible it is, and credits to JA for listening to us, but if they were to 'skimm off' the Open from the US Advanced dancers (Paul, Cat, Lee, Rachel McE, Olivier M if he comes) to make an invitational (I can't imagine that would last more than 20 min, there aren't that many couples), that would allow them to award Intermediate points in the Open. It seems like the fairest way to do things, to be honest.
Does it sound reasonable ?
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