BACK ON TRACK

In 2002, 2005 and 2006 Beatrix Winterguard took the European title as well. In 2007 Beatrix was runner up, being the best European guard behind Light Brigade, an American World guard. Last Saturday, The Magic Lane surprised the audience and judges, earning it the European title with a huge performance.

The busses left Hilversum at 11:00, and so there was no rehearsal planned and the guard members could sleep in a bit in preparation of the big day. In contrast to the grey and cold weather outside, the atmosphere in the bus felt like a warm blanket. Tension was present but everyone was looking forward to this showday!

Around 13:00 the group arrived in Drachten where the competition was already going on. Groups from all classes were fighting to get into the evening program. After a sneak peak of the sports hall and some food and refreshments the members started preparing for their prelims show at 14:00.

In Aalsmeer the performance was not what it should have been, everyone was determined to give the audience and the judges a good show this time. Taking the floor as the second group in their class, prelims started off well and Beatrix had a good run. The flags were not as strong as usual and gravity played too large a role; this was not the best show. The performance was much better than in Aalsmeer and Beatrix came in second with a 2.1 point difference with the Pride.

To loose all tension and to clear their minds, the guard had dinner in the Van Der Valk Hotel. Everyone greatly enjoyed the food, and there were some flashbacks and some flashforwards. What would happen tonight? The group decided that their main goal would be to entertain and have a great time performing.

And everyone enjoyed it! With the best performance yet this season Beatrix’ gave the audience, the judges, but also themselves, the best show that could be performed at this point in the season. Emotion on the field thrown out to the audience, moments which were not visible yet became visible. This is winterguard and this is why the members do loe this activity. The score didn’t matter anymore, placing neither. The most important thing was that the members enjoyed The Magic lane again and that the audience got what they deserved. That made it all satisfying.

There was a deadly silence in the enormous sportsvenue while the scores of the runner-up and champion were announced. With a difference of 0.2 points Beatrix became European Champion. Beatrix knows when to peak and this surely was the right moment. With a score of 81.7 Beatrix stayed ahead of The Pride (81,5), Sensation (75,7) en Encorps (51,5).

It’s going to be an exciting end of the season with 2 matching programs. Beatrix’ will be back at work, after some celebration. Of course there is a lot to do and with the last regular contest on the agenda hard work will be the only way to prepare for the CGN Championships.

The end of the season is in a mere 4 weeks. In about 2 weeks Beatrix will be in Leeuwarden to compete in the last regular contest. On March 27th Beatrix Winterguard will give its all during the CGN Championships in Eindhoven.

Colorguard.org review:
“In what became a huge battle for first, Beatrix' outscored The Pride of the Netherlands by 0,2 point in finals after a prelims defeat.”

Drumcorpseurope.org review:
In the Independent Open Class Prelims The Pride placed themselves first with a full 2 points ahead at Beatrix’, but the Hilversummers saw an increase of their score in the evening with 3 points and won first prize. The 2 guards are very well matched this whole season.