LUCA & LORAINE'S STORY 1993-2001

1993
On the 27th of August Lorain and I announced to the world that we were going to join our private and dancing lives.

1993-1994
For the first two events, International Championship 1993 and United Kingdom Championship 1994, Loraine and I finished 4th.

After intense practice and truly focused dedication to our dance developments, Loraine and I finished 2nd at the British Open Championship 1994, becoming the first qualifying round and after reaching the final, finishing 2nd in every dance. To achieve the above, we had to perform for 7 rounds in one single day and during the following year w were awarded by the British Dance Federation (BDF) for the most outstanding performance.

1994-1998
For the following four years, Loraine and I battled with the former world champions in search of our first major championship win. On several occasion we came close, but never manage to win.

This was a difficult period in our careers, as we produced greater and greater performances, but the goal of winning could not be achieved.

It was at the moment in time, that we found new and stronger motivation by refocusing our goal.., we were no longer searching for the ultimate result, but for the ultimate performance.

1999
Our focused practices and intense search for constant improvements, finally gave us the opportunity to become Grand Slam winners, this being:
United Kingdom champions
British Open champions
International champions
European champions
World champions

2000-2001
In the years of the new millennium, Loraine and I continued our winning steak producing great performances up until October, when we entered the World Championship and lost the title. This was a great shock to us, but our determination to produce wonderful performances motivated us to create what may be the most amazing performance ever produced at the 2001 United Kingdom Champions. This we did, but we lost yet again.
The only conolation and fulfillment was the 7 minutes standing ovation we received from a shocked audience who voiced their opinion and confirmed to us that we had in fact succeeded in producing che ultimate performance.
Once again, history was made, as never before a 2nd placed couple had received such a strong and public statement from an audience.

Our hearts were fulfilled with the love of the audience, but broken by injustice.

Our desire to compete had reached it's final stage and after long consideration Loraine and I decided to defend our British Open title, regain our World Championship Title and finally retire from the competitive world of Ballroom Dancing.

During our successful and fulfilling career, Loraine and I receveid the following honours:
- British Dance Federation Award (BDF)(3times)
- German Open Award
- Irish Dance Federation Award
- Carl Allan Award
- Prince MIkasa Award

Our dance career, achievements and awards, has been a great lesson in life, a constant learning curve which will never end.

Loraine and I are now extremely happy and fulfilled in our new chapter, our studio in Italy is wonderful as it is allowing us to develop and inspire the current and next generation of dancers.

Life is precious and every moment must be enjoyed and lived, life is a beautiful constant learning curve...