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]

Žuvėdra performers in 2009

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

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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  
1996 Lithuania   Germany  
1997 Germany 3 Poland  
1998 Sweden 3 Hungary 3
1999 Lithuania   Belarus  
2000 Austria   Czech  
2001 Germany   Hungary  
2002 Lithuania   Holland  
2003 Germany   Czech  
2004 Belarus   Germany  
2005 Germany   Germany  
2006 Germany   / 5 Lithuania   / 4
2007 Germany 3 / 6 Germany  
2008 Austria   / 6 Germany  
2009 Germany   / 5 Lithuania  
2010 Russia   / 5 Germany   / 5
2011 Lithuania   / 5 Russia   / 6
2012 Germany   / 6 Austria   / 7
2013 Germany 4 Lithuania   / 7
Note: from 2006, Žuvėdra had a second team competing. Its results are shown after the "/" symbol.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Liatukas, Renata; Idzelevičius, Romaldas (2013). ""Žuvėdra"". In Karoblis, Povilas; et al. (eds.). Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Vol. II. Lietuvos sporto informacijos centras. pp. 1050–1051. ISBN 978-609-413-003-8.
  2. ^ a b c 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  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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