Žuvėdra

Žuvėdra performers in 2009

Klaipėda University DSC Žuvėdra (literally: tern) is a dancesport formation dance team since 1995 affiliated with Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania. It is a 7-time world champion and 9-time European champion. It was founded in 1965 by ballroom dancer Ona Skaistutė Idzelevičienė. She and her husband Romaldas Idzelevičius (since 1971) are the primary trainers.[1]

Since 1989, the team participated in World and European Championships. During 1995–2006, it was in the top 3 in European and World Latin Formation Championships, taking world first places in 2002–05. In 2006–13, the club formed the second team that participated in most important competitions.[1] Besides competitions, the team performed at various events in many European countries. In total, the team performed 14 different compositions[2] (music by composer Audrius Balsys since 1997, costumes by Aina Zinčiukaitė since 1999).[1]

The team did not compete in the 2014 season as, after retirement of a cohort of experienced dancers in 2012–13, there were not enough replacements.[2] In a press interview, the trainers blamed a higher education reform that made it more difficult for potential dancers to get admitted to Klaipėda University.[3] Additionally, the team faced financial difficulties: it could not offer stipends to its dancers, only small discounts on tuition fees. Therefore, dancers had to balance studies, work, and practice.[2]

Championship results

Year World Championship[1] European Championship[1]
Location Place[4] Location Place[5]
1989 Germany 7    
1991 Germany 5    
1992 Austria 4 Germany 4
1993 Norway 4 Germany 4
1994 Germany 3 Germany 5
1995 Germany 3 France 2nd, silver medalist(s)
1996 Lithuania 2nd, silver medalist(s) Germany 2nd, silver medalist(s)
1997 Germany 3 Poland 2nd, silver medalist(s)
1998 Sweden 3 Hungary 3
1999 Lithuania 1st, gold medalist(s) Belarus 1st, gold medalist(s)
2000 Austria 2nd, silver medalist(s) Czech 2nd, silver medalist(s)
2001 Germany 2nd, silver medalist(s) Hungary 1st, gold medalist(s)
2002 Lithuania 1st, gold medalist(s) Holland 2nd, silver medalist(s)
2003 Germany 1st, gold medalist(s) Czech 1st, gold medalist(s)
2004 Belarus 1st, gold medalist(s) Germany 1st, gold medalist(s)
2005 Germany 1st, gold medalist(s) Germany 1st, gold medalist(s)
2006 Germany 2nd, silver medalist(s) / 5 Lithuania 1st, gold medalist(s) / 4
2007 Germany 3 / 6 Germany 2nd, silver medalist(s)
2008 Austria 1st, gold medalist(s) / 6 Germany 2nd, silver medalist(s)
2009 Germany 2nd, silver medalist(s) / 5 Lithuania 1st, gold medalist(s)
2010 Russia 2nd, silver medalist(s) / 5 Germany 2nd, silver medalist(s) / 5
2011 Lithuania 1st, gold medalist(s) / 5 Russia 2nd, silver medalist(s) / 6
2012 Germany 2nd, silver medalist(s) / 6 Austria 1st, gold medalist(s) / 7
2013 Germany 4 Lithuania 1st, gold medalist(s) / 7
Note: from 2006, Žuvėdra had a second team competing. Its results are shown after the "/" symbol.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Liatukas, Renata; Idzelevičius, Romaldas (2013). "„Žuvėdra"". In Karoblis, Povilas; et al. Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). II. Lietuvos sporto informacijos centras. pp. 1050–1051. ISBN 978-609-413-003-8.
  2. 1 2 3 Augustis, Mindaugas (2014-03-14). "Pasaulyje lygių neturėjusi „Žuvėdra" – ties išnykimo riba" (in Lithuanian). Delfi.lt. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  3. LRT radijo laida „60 minučių“ (2014-11-14). "Pagrindinė „Žuvėdros" ansamblio subyrėjimo priežastis – ne pinigai" (in Lithuanian). Delfi.lt. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  4. Spaeker, Heinz. "Results of IDSF Competitions". DanceSport Services.
  5. "Žuvėdros skrydžiai" (in Lithuanian). Lithuanian Dancesport Federation. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
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