These inhabitants of Lot are vice-champions of France in Latin dances

Cocorico, once again for Castelnau-Montratier in the Batch. The couple Mathieu Vairon and Corinne Espagne shone brightly, winning a 2^e place in Latin dances Senior 2 advanced, during French Latin and Standard Dance Trophy which took place on Sunday June 9, 2024 in Vénissieux.

“It’s really an achievement for both of us,” Mathieu Vairon expresses with a big smile when he recounts this great adventure.

The couple of dancers from Castelnau-Montratier did not think they would get on the podium

“25 years ago, I won the same title but I didn’t continue,” explains Mathieu. As for Corinne Espagne, this is the first time she has participated in a competition of this scale, so the stress was definitely there. But today both are enjoying their victory and are already planning new competitions for the next season.

During the Trophée de France, which is one of the most prestigious end-of-season competitions, Mathieu Vairon and Corinne Espagne were selected but did not think they would win a place on the podium.

“When we arrived at this competition, we were strangers to the different couples of dancers who are already well experienced in these finals. Our surprise was great when we heard that we were the vice-champions of France. It’s very rare to arrive at this place for a first competition,” say the couple unanimously.

For this, they had to demonstrate all their talent in 5 Latin dances and 5 standard dances. A whole technical mastery that is acquired through training and effort.

A passion deeply rooted in the body

For Mathieu, dancing has always been a passion. Today, he is an independent dance teacher with several associations in Bégoux, Le Montat, Cazes-Mondenard and Lalbenque. 5 years ago, he met Corinne, who had also been passionate about dance for over 11 years and had a desire to learn more. And that’s when he decided to train her with a view to returning to competition.

So for 4 years, he will make him acquire all his knowledge as well as the choreographies he has developed. Then after a few demonstrations, they decided to go even higher and enroll in a prestigious school in Muret where classes are taught by Laurent Françon. Despite the fact that Mathieu and Corinne enrolled in this school mid-year, the dancers decided to try for the Trophée de France. “Usually we normally start with small competitions before launching into the Trophée de France but here we tried. We had nothing to lose,” confides Mathieu. The bet paid off. On the other hand, the part of training is very substantial because you have to reconcile everything, work, classes and rehearsals. Their coach Laurent Françon warmly congratulated Mathieu and Corinne on this great victory.

Future projects

Without any pretension, Mathieu and Corinne plan to compete for the French professional championship and why not the European championship.

Faced with great demand, at the start of the school year, Le Montat will offer a solo sports dance section for teenagers and adults “Dynamic danse” at the “Montat danse club” from September 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Leetchi prize pool

While Mathieu and Corinne were enjoying their victory, they had the very unpleasant surprise of discovering, after the competition, that their car had been broken into. All their magnificent stage outfits, custom-made and therefore particularly unique, including one made by the Italian designer Vesontio, had been stolen.

Currently, they no longer have stage outfits, which makes it difficult to “shine” during future demonstrations. Encouraged by friends, they launched a Leetchi fundraiser to help them buy outfits: https://www.leetchi.com/fr/c/justice-pour-coco-et-mathieu-1546242

Marie-Françoise PLAGÈS

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.