A Farewell To Champions

Simone Segatori - Annette Sudol, GER @ Roland

The plan was drawn up well in advance, devised to apply to every scenario imaginable. Simone Segatori and Annette Sudol had their minds set on retiring from competition in the A … – no, you won’t read the “A” word here: hence, in the “Adult” age group. Immediately following the 2017 World Standard in Chengdu, CHN! Win or lose, World Champions or whatever rank they were to end up in, this was to bring the first part of their hugely successful career to a conclusion.

In the end, the title went to Dmitry and Olga – deservingly so – but right behind them were Simone and Annette, not even two points off the Russians’ pace (193. 54 to 191.56) and definitely within striking distance in one of the five dances (Waltz). It was pretty much what had happened all year, in four legs of the GrandSlam Standard Series.

But with everything prepared well in advance, the WDSF First Vice-President read out the following statement on behalf of Simone and Annette right after the awards presentation.

We would like to thank all of you for having supported us from the very first moment we started to dance together until now. This night is very special for us as we danced our last competition as A …

Like everybody else, we had ups and downs in our career, but we kept focussing on what we think is important and on what added value to the principles of dancing. If we had to start everything all over again, we would do everything exactly the same. Not necessarily because everything was necessarily right, but because we did from our heart – and because it felt right at the time.

We are very happy that we reached the top, but what was even more important to us was the journey to get there, with all its experiences and challenges. We tried to be a good example and to promote the things that mattered to us.

A big thank-you must go to our families and friends, who stayed with us during the good as well as the difficult moments. We shall see all of you again next time we enter the floor, opening a new chapter as professionals.

Thank you all!

Simone and Annette

TfZkEWg4GOI|Segatori - Sudol, GER | 2017 World Standard R2 VW | DanceSport Total