About

Our Story - A Proud DanceSport Legacy

The story of Norway International Dance Championships and the Norway International Christmas Dance Festival stretches back across generations - a story of passion, community, and the magic of DanceSport in Norway.

For decades, these events have brought the world of elite Standard and Latin dancing to Norwegian soil, while giving Norwegian dancers the chance to compete and shine on an international stage at home.

Christmas Dance Festival - A Winter Tradition Rooted in Joy

The story truly begins in 1985, when the Christmas Dance Festival was first created. But its spirit reaches even further back - all the way to the beloved “Oslo Cup”, the Christmas competition children across Norway eagerly waited for each year since 1958.

This wasn’t just a competition. It was a celebration. A reunion. A tradition.

Over time, the Christmas Dance Festival grew into a major international event, welcoming dancers from across Europe and beyond. Its warm Nordic atmosphere, world-class organisation and festive sparkle made it unlike any other - culminating in record participation of 818 athletes from 23 nations in 2019.

It became a symbol of joy, unity, and belonging - where everyone, from the youngest beginner to elite athletes and Para DanceSport competitors, shared the same floor and the same love of dance.

Norway International Dance Championships - Where It All Began for Elite DanceSport

Then, in 1991, another milestone was born. The Norway International Dance Championships premiered in the iconic Sonja Henie Ballroom at Oslo Plaza, bringing world-class DanceSport to Norway in a way that had never been seen before.

From the beginning, the event drew:

world-leading dancers
international adjudicators
captivated audiences

- establishing itself as one of Northern Europe’s most respected elite competitions.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Norway International became synonymous with elegance, prestige and sporting excellence - a place where rising stars and global champions met on the same floor.

Memories were made. Careers were shaped. Legends danced here.

A Legacy Reborn

After a period of pause, both events now return in 2026 - renewed, re-energised and ready to inspire a new generation.

Together they now form the foundation of Norway’s modern international DanceSport platform, delivered in close cooperation with the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and our Nordic partners.

Norway International Dance Championships - April 2026
Norway International Christmas Dance Festival - December 2026

Both will proudly host WDSF World Open (New Series) alongside international and Nordic categories for both couples and solo dancers.

Honouring the Past - Inspiring the Future

These events are more than competitions.

They are celebrations of:

✨ Sporting excellence
✨ Community & friendship
✨ Cultural exchange
✨ The power of dance to unite

Across generations.
Across nations.
Across the world.

As we step into a new era, our legacy continues - stronger than ever.

A Legacy Reborn.

The Organisers

Norges Danseforbund

The Norwegian Dance Federation - Sportsdans is the national governing body for DanceSport in Norway and was a founding discipline when dance joined the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee in 1971. Today, Sportsdans is part of Norges Danseforbund (ND), formed in 1994 as a federation uniting multiple dance disciplines across Norway.

LSKdans

is a welcoming and ambitious DanceSport club based in Lillestrøm, with a long tradition as a respected competition organiser. The club offers training for children, youth and adults at every level - from beginners to elite athletes - supported by skilled coaches, strong team spirit and an inclusive environment where every dancer can grow and succeed.

NeRo

NeRo Sportsdansere is a dedicated DanceSport club based at Sandbekkhallen in Rælingen, with a proud history as organiser of the Norway International competition in the mid-nineties. The club offers quality training for children, youth and adults, supporting dancers at all levels in a positive, motivating and inclusive environment.

Drammen Dance Company

Drammen Dance Company is a dynamic and inclusive dance organisation based in Drammen, offering high-quality training and performance opportunities for dancers of all ages and levels. With a strong emphasis on artistic growth, community engagement and excellence, the company fosters creativity, confidence and passion for dance across a diverse and supportive environment.

Diamond Dance

Diamond Dance is an inspiring and forward-thinking dance club in Norway, known for its strong commitment to both DanceSport and Para-DanceSport. The club offers supportive, high-quality training for children, youth and adults, creating an open, motivating environment where every dancer, regardless of ability, is encouraged to develop, belong and succeed.

The Advisory Board

Jan Tore Jacobsen

Jan Tore Jacobsen is a senior advisor and international procurement specialist with extensive experience across the Travel & Mobility sector, serving as Global Procurement Director Travel & Mobility at Accenture.

Alongside his corporate leadership, he is a former European Championship bronze medallist, finalist at the German Open, Blackpool Dance Festival and International Dance Championships, and an internationally licensed DanceSport adjudicator, trainer and lecturer, combining strategic excellence with elite sporting insight to drive sustainable performance and global partnerships.

Maria Sandvik

Maria Sandvik is an educated journalist and currently serves as Head of Communications and Marketing at Kistefos.

Alongside her professional career, she is a Norwegian National DanceSport Champion and former Strickly Come Dancing in Norway professional over five seasons, winning the show in 2007 with her celebrity partner Tshawe Baqwa. She has represented Norway at World and European Championships and is a Level 2 certified coach and national judge with the Norwegian Dance Federation.

Thomas Dehli Cleve

Thomas Dehli Cleve is Co-Founder & CEO of Periscopify, a leading Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) platform helping brands become trusted and cited in AI-generated answers. He is also Founder & CEO of Digital Thinking, specialising in growth, digital strategy, and AI-driven transformation.

Alongside his tech leadership, Thomas is a multiple Norwegian DanceSport Champion, European and World Championship medallist in Formation Dance, an international judge, and an elite coach with over 30 years of experience developing dancers from grassroots to championship level.

The Crew

Halvor Owren

Halvor Owren represents the Norwegian Dance Federation and is one of the dedicated coordinators behind the Norway International Dance Championships. With strong organisational expertise and a deep commitment to DanceSport, Halvor plays a key role in ensuring seamless operations, professional delivery and an outstanding experience for dancers, officials and audiences alike.

Aleksandra Kakurina Sandaker

Alexandra Kakurina Sandaker is Project Coordinator for the Championships, leading WDSF communication and supporting the working group dedicated to the dancer experience. With deep international insight and passion for DanceSport, she plays a key role in creating a seamless, inspiring and memorable event for every participating athlete.

Karine Hauge Nilsen

Karine Hauge Nilsen represents the Norwegian Dance Federation and supports the Championships with marketing and PR activities. With strong expertise in communication and digital media, she helps position the events internationally, strengthen visibility, and build lasting engagement with dancers, audiences, partners and the wider DanceSport community.

Marina Sæther

Marina Sæther is an experienced team leader with a strong background in leadership, team development and coaching. In her professional role, she works with structured development processes, project management and relationship-based leadership, contributing effectively to cross-functional teams with high demands on quality and delivery. Within DanceSport, Marina is the founder of Drammen Dance Company and served as Chair of the club for four years. During this period, she played a key role in building the club’s identity, community and long-term development. She was actively involved in the planning and delivery of competitions, workshops and training weekends, gaining solid experience in event organisation, coordination and execution. Marina contributes to the championships through her club and as team leader of the Working Group focusing of the Dancers' experience, where she applies her expertise in leadership, organisational development and collaboration to support a high-quality experience for participating dancers and teams.

Hilde Kristiansen

Hilde Kristiansen is a senior board member of the DanceSport Division within the Norwegian Dance Federation, currently serving her third term. With more than 25 years of experience in Norwegian DanceSport, she brings extensive expertise in governance, club development and long-term athlete pathways. She is the founder and chair of Diamond Dance Romerike and has played a central role in building structured training programmes, organising competitions, workshops and training camps, and strengthening opportunities for both dancers and coaches. Hilde is also a strong advocate for para and inclusive DanceSport and contributes actively to the Dancers Working Group through her club.

Anastasia Zakhartchouk

Anastasia Zakhartchouk is a Norwegian National Championship bronze medallist in U21 Standard and 10-Dance, and a multiple National Championship finalist. She began dancing at the age of five and was raised in Iceland, where she trained under the country’s leading coaches. Anastasia is a Norwegian Dance Federation T2-certified coach, achieving the highest distinction, Highly Commended, and specialises in coaching competitive dancers.

Lise Marie Braathen-Pettersen

Lise Marie Braathen-Pettersen is an experienced professional with a strong background in leadership, governance and stakeholder engagement, developed through work in complex, regulated and international environments. She is recognised for her structured approach, analytical mindset and people-centred leadership style, contributing to roles that require strategic oversight, operational precision and long-term value creation. Alongside her professional career, Lise is deeply engaged in voluntary leadership within Norwegian DanceSport. She serves as Chair of the Board of NeRo Sportsdansere, a dance club dedicated to creating a safe, educational and inclusive environment for aspiring young dancers, with a strong focus on safeguarding, governance and sustainable athlete development. She is also a member of the Norway International working group, where she contributes to initiatives aimed at enhancing the audience experience, strengthening event flow, accessibility and overall spectator engagement at international DanceSport events.

Tone Jensen

Tone Jensen is a highly respected organiser and long-standing contributor to Norwegian DanceSport, known especially for her exceptional organisational skills and calm, structured approach. Active in club management, operations and board work since the 1990s, she has played a key role in planning and delivering numerous competitions. Tone was also involved in the establishment of Diamond Dance and is recognised as a true volunteer and driving force, combining reliability, experience and a genuine passion for making DanceSport events run smoothly.

Tone Haraldsen

Tone Haraldsen is a highly experienced professional event organiser with a strong personal connection to DanceSport and a proven ability to deliver high-quality live events. With a background in complex event production, she combines structure, precision and creativity to ensure seamless execution and memorable audience experiences. As an active member of the Audience Experience Working Group for the Norway International events, Tone focuses on how spectators, participants and partners engage with the event as a whole. Her holistic approach to event design ensures that atmosphere, flow, accessibility and emotional impact work together to elevate the overall experience. With deep insight into the needs of dancers, officials and audiences, Tone contributes to creating professional, welcoming environments that support performance on the dance floor while delivering engaging and impactful experiences for spectators. Recognised for her attention to detail, calm leadership and collaborative mindset, she plays a key role in shaping high-quality international DanceSport events.

Torolf Holte

Torolf Holte is a commercially focused business leader with extensive expertise in financial strategy, operational performance and sustainable growth. As a senior professional at Avinor, he works with data-driven analysis, strategic planning and performance optimisation to support efficient operations and long-term development. Alongside his professional career, Torolf is a dedicated Board Member of LSKdans, where he carries responsibility for the club’s financial health and profitability. In this role, he oversees budgeting, financial planning and strategic resource allocation to ensure economic sustainability while supporting the club’s sporting ambitions. Combining corporate financial expertise with a strong commitment to DanceSport, Torolf brings valuable governance insight and fiscal discipline to both business and sport environments. His balanced approach supports responsible growth, transparency and long-term value creation within the DanceSport community.

Pia Walmann

Pia Walmann is a dedicated sports leader and experienced early childhood education professional with a lifelong connection to performance and movement. Growing up as an active swimmer and synchronised swimmer, she developed strong discipline, coordination and competitive focus — qualities that continue to shape her contribution to sport and community development today. Professionally, Pia serves as the General Manager of ULNA Alvheim, where she provides structured leadership and long-term strategic direction within the early childhood education sector. Her extensive experience across various roles in kindergartens has given her deep expertise in organisational development, team leadership and creating safe, supportive environments for growth. Pia has been an active Board Member of Diamond Dance (DD) for many years, contributing to governance, financial oversight and sustainable club development within Norwegian DanceSport. Her long-term voluntary engagement reflects a strong commitment to youth development, quality training environments and community-based sport. Combining sporting discipline, professional leadership and voluntary board experience, Pia brings stability, integrity and strategic focus to both education and DanceSport organisations.

Ewa Hovden

Ewa Hovden is a strategic and people-centred professional with extensive experience in coordinating complex projects and driving organisational development. As a Prosjektkoordinator at Bioforum Telemark, she brings refined leadership, strong analytical skills and a collaborative mindset to cross-functional initiatives, ensuring that objectives are met with clarity, quality and impact. In addition to her professional career, Ewa serves as a Board Member of NeRo Sportsdansere, where she contributes to governance, strategic direction and club development within the Norwegian DanceSport community. Her role supports the club’s mission to nurture talent, enhance training environments and engage dancers at all levels. Combining corporate organisational expertise with a genuine commitment to sport and community development, Ewa strengthens both professional and voluntary leadership arenas through structured thinking, effective communication and long-term strategic focus.