ISTD盃雖是我所主辦的三個比賽系列中最年青的一個, 但每屆都經歴不同的風風雨雨, 亦是我所主辦最具突破性的一個比賽系列。

2004年第一屆ISTD盃我以 『香港國際專業舞蹈體育總會』名義向英國皇家舞蹈教師會申請用ISTD這個名稱在香港主辦比賽, 但到頭來令總會內誤會重重, 所以翌年我改以起舞藝軒名義主辦, 省卻矛盾。2005年第二屆ISTD 盃起舞藝軒首次打破邀請拉丁舞表演嘉賓的傳統, 毅然請來意大利的職業標準舞高手Mirco & Marica Selli作表演嘉賓, 他們的表演大獲好評, 餐券卻異常滯銷,令我心灰意冷, 不打算再延續主辦。 2006年2月我被邀到星加坡當裁判, 但該賽事竟胎死腹中, 令我改變主意利用原本飛星加坡的檔期繼續主辦第三屆ISTD盃, 並與太太親自表演。 2007年我在黑池與新相識的泰國華僑蔡先生一見如故, 被他的誠意打動, 大胆地將第四屆ISTD盃搬到泰國舉行, 並在2008年9月繼續舉行第五屆, 雖然連續兩年贏盡口碑, 但樹大招風, 第五屆ISTD盃竟被投訴無牌經營旅行團, 於是我順理成章地將第六屆ISTD盃搬回香港舉行, 地点為沙田麗豪酒店, 日期為5/4/2009。

經過半年的籌劃,很開心第六屆ISTD盃吸引了澳洲, 泰國, 台灣, 星加坡, 菲律賓,  澳門, 中國及本地的賽手參加, 特別是公開業餘拉丁組及公開職業拉丁組更高手雲集, 前者決賽成為下午賽事的最高潮, 後者的準決賽及決賽都安排在晚上進行,  令現場氣氛高漲, 無論參觀者或參賽者都非常投入!

陳航行

Although ISTD Cup is the youngest of the three series of competitions I have been organizing under my Studio, it has come across different types of difficulties. Morestill, it has also been the most challenging & break-through competition series for me.     

In 2004, on behalf of Hong Kong International Professional Dance Sports Council,  I submitted my application to ISTD Headquarters (UK) to organize a competition in Hong Kong with the name of 1st ISTD Cup.  Misunderstandings were afloat unexpectedly within the Council, I then immediately decided to organize the 2nd ISTD Cup in the capacity of my Studio to avoid any possible conflicts.  In 2005, the tradition of inviting Latin performing guests by my Studio was broken for 2nd ISTD Cup -  top Professional Standard couple, Mirko & Marica Selli from Italy were invited as performers.  Their show was warmly applauded & welcomed by the audience but the tickets were not sold as good as normal!  Frustrations prompted me to drop organizing this series the following year.  In February 2006, I was invited to adjudicate in Singapore.  Ironically, the competition was eventually cancelled.  I spontaneously changed my mind by filling the vacant weekend organizing the 3rd ISTD Cup with my wife & myself as performing guests!    In 2007, I met Thailand Chinese 餘Mr Somchai in Blackpool and became friends like forever.  Upon his encouragements, I baldly organized the 4th ISTD Cup all the way from Hong Kong to Bangkok.    In September, 2008, 5th ISTD Cup was held in Bangkok again.  Fortunately, the second consecutive year overseas organizations of ISTD Cup were with great successes.  Unfortunately, 5th ISTD Cup was alleged in a complaint against Operating Travel Agency with Licence!    I was forced to move the 6th ISTD Cup back to Hong Kong in the venue of Hotel Regal Riverside on 5/4/09.

With half year preparations, I was so pleased that couples all over from Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Macau, China and Hong Kong came to support the 6th ISTD Cup, especially strong fields were witnessed in the Open Amateur Latin and Open Professional Latin events.  The Amateur Latin Final became the highlight in the afternoon session and the Semi-Final and Final of the Professional Latin thrilled the audience in the evening with electric atmosphere. Competitors and onlookers all had great fun and enjoyment!             

Lawrence Chan

Open Professional Latin Prize Presentation
公開職業拉丁頒獎

Lawrence & Gertrude with all adjudicators
陳航行、高玉文與裁判合照

Open Amateur Latin Prize Presentation
公開業餘拉丁頒獎