12 athletes from Saint-Bonnet-de-Mure will compete at Dance Worlds in the “Freestyle Pom” category, an extremely rigorous dance. The team will wear the colors of France from April 22 to 24 in Orlando, Florida.
A victory for the second consecutive year. The Vertex team from Saint-Bonnet-de-Mure (Rhône), once once more rose to the Dance Worlds, the “freestyle pom” world championships. A rhythmic dance with acrobatics and pom-pom handling. Without dance lifts, unlike cheerleading.
15 athletes aged 15 to 30 from the Fever Cheerdance association trained by Flore Ney Robin and Marianne Michoud will meet in Orlando, Florida from April 22 to 24. In total, four teams compete under the tricolor flag: Saint-Bonnet-de-Mure, Saint-Priest, Dijon and Marseille.
Last year they finished 14th out of 18 so this year “the objective is to be 1st in France and the top 10 internationally. It would be the dream for us, we will do everything for it!”, assures Romane Fernandes, 17 years old.
Romane Fernandes and Léane Pascal both discovered the discipline of “freestyle pom” somewhat by chance in an association forum.
“When I was little, I did gymnastics and GRS but what I like regarding freestyle pom is dancing and then pom-poms add something, I think”explains Léane, who has been practicing for 6 years. “When we all dance together, it’s as if we saw only one girl dancing. We are like a big family, even with the other competing teams. adds her friend Romane.
For the two young girls, participating for the second time in this championship is the result of many hours of work. Two training sessions per week of regarding 3 hours each and sometimes even on weekends. “Throughout the year, we had to hang on! Before going to confront the teams of this championship, we do not realize the level”, insists Léane, 16 years old.
“Our first championships were great! These are memories that will live on forever. Then when we see the Americans, we want to do like them, they are living goddesses! It is a challenge for us”, says Roman.
For Léane, there is no doubt “When we get there, we’re going to give it our all! We are going to show that in France, we can do it, even if it is not a very recognized sport”.