I think if you look at the results from B/pool, you will see how the States is making significant headway ( winners of rising star latin, 2 couples in final-- Standard ).

No one would Q the availabilty of top class coaches on a more frequent basis, but many couples are now travelling to UK, and coaches to the states on a regular basis .

The European dominance is being gradually eroded ( by europ.. living in the states ! )

And as to setting up residence in the states and spending significant time abroad ?... yes that is OK, it is not against ANY comp. rules .

As many in the world, you seem to look for problems... I prefer to look for solutions .

Terence, I believe that Serendipidy's point is that we here in the US have access to some of the best dancers in the world. I don't think that Serendipidy is guilty of any jingoistic crowing (I'm not even sure where Serendipidy lives).

I may point out, though, that the US has always imported more of its top level artists and scientists in all areas than it has developed domestically, a trend that has been maintained since our country's founding.

Doubtlessly, this fact is due to cynical American attitudes about education. That subject, however, is for another discussion board.

jj