| Focus July 1, 2008
|
Doug Schneider with the
winners from the Summer 2008 SAF Model Search. From left to right: Lynette Williams (Open
Fitness Model), Natalie Waples (Elite), and Angela DeFrancesco (Open Figure Model).
(Photo June 2008 by D. Dave Paul) |
|
The Summer 2008 SAF Model Search
– Our Best Show Yet!
You will notice our June issue of SeriousAboutFitness.com
is a little "light" on content. The reason is that we spent most of the month
preparing for the Summer 2008 SAF Model Search that was held on June 21 in London,
Ontario, Canada. Based on the outcome of the event, we believe it was time well spent
– feedback from competitors, sponsors and spectators indicates it was the best show
yet.
Approximately 50 women from Canada and the United States
came to London to compete. There were nine in our SAF Elite division, and the other
competitors were split fairly evenly between the Open division Fitness Model and Figure
Model categories. However, while the sheer number of competitors was impressive, it was
the quality of the competitors that set this show apart.
The Open division saw a blend of familiar and new faces.
Some of the women had already competed in SAF Model Search events in 2007, but for others
it was their very first time. All in all, everyone did extremely well in the competitions,
and the six women who took the top-three spots in the two categories were outstanding.
In the Fitness Model category, Lynette Williams
took first place, Meaghan Prince finished second, and Gorretti
Francisco placed third. For Lynette and Meaghan, it was their first SAF Model
Search competition. For Gorretti, it was her second time competing with us – she
first competed at the Fall 2007 SAF Model Search in Ottawa, where she looked outstanding
but didn't crack the top three.
Angela DeFrancesco took home the top prize
in the Figure Model category, while Ashley Gollogly placed second and Sarah
DiLuccio took third. For all three women, it was their first SAF Model Search
competition.
Both category winners received $500, and both sets of the
top-three winners received trophies and prizes. Furthermore, all these women are now part
of our SAF Elite – a distinction that allows them to compete at a higher level at
future SAF Model Search competitions.
The crowd was treated to an amazing show!
(Photo by D. Dave Paul)
|
Speaking of the SAF Elite, the Summer 2008
SAF Model Search featured our first-ever SAF Elite-division competition. For this
competition, nine of our current SAF Elite stars were invited to compete, with one winner
taking home the $1000 first-place prize. I won’t go into all the details here as
there is a full write-up in the "Edge" section, but I will say that these nine
women raised the bar for performance at this kind of event. They were all nothing short of
spectacular, and in the end, Natalie Waples was the winner in this very
special, select group.
While the competitors were outstanding, I’d be remiss
if I didn’t mention the tremendous support we got for this event. First, there was
KHP Designs, the company that sponsored the prize money for the Open and Elite divisions
(a total of $2000). KHP has been a key supporter for every SAF Model Search since the
beginning. Revolution Nutrition sponsored the $250 cash prize for the Best Competitor Over
35 (Elle Guveski from Florida won), and they also donated all kinds of prizes that went to
other competitors. Interactive Nutrition sponsored gift bags for every competitor in
the event – as a result, everyone went home with something regardless of how
they placed. Also PVL Fit Foods and IFBB Pro Stephanie Worsfold supplied additional prizes
that went to the top three in each Open division category. In addition, Darrin Robinson of
Emerge Inc. supported us with valuable gift packages that were awarded to the competitor
who gave the best presentation in the Fitness Model fitnesswear/themewear round (Naomi
Dalle as a golfer) and to the competitor who gave the best onstage performance in the
bikini round (Easton Martin).
The winners from all categories received cash and
other great prizes. From left to right: Gorretti Francisco (Fitness Model second
runner-up), Meaghan Prince (Fitness Model runner-up), Lynette Williams (Fitness Model
winner), Natalie Waples (SAF Elite winner), Angela DeFrancesco (Figure Model winner),
Ashley Gollogly (Figure Model runner-up) and Sarah DiLuccio (Figure Model second
runner-up).
(Photo by D. Dave Paul)
|
I also have to give special thanks to all
the people who helped make this event possible: Mindi O'Brien and Winston Roberts as MCs;
Karen Fanas for the tremendous graphics work and stage design; Mischa Hayek for his
scorekeeping duties; and Cindy Van Empel as backstage and onstage expeditor.
Finally, our star-studded judging panel needs to be
mentioned. At this event, we had world-renowned photographer Paul Buceta (Oxygen, MuscleMag,
etc.), publisher Terry Frendo (Inside Fitness), national-level figure competitor
Lori-Ann Redding, and SeriousAboutFitness.com writer Alison Aulph forming the main part of
the judging panel. Winston Roberts also helped to judge the SAF Elite division, while I
also judged both categories in the Open division.
Doug Schneider (closest) was the head judge for the
Open division. Assisting Doug on this judging panel were national-level figure competitor
Lori-Ann Redding (not shown), Inside Fitness publisher Terry Frendo (far left),
SeriousAboutFitness.com writer Alison Aulph, and world-famous fitness photographer Paul
Buceta (second from right).
(Photo by D. Dave Paul)
|
The Summer 2008 SAF Model Search was a
spectacular show, so it's not surprising that people are already asking: What's next?
Our next SAF Model Search is on November 1 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Our goal is to make
that one even bigger and better than ever – we hope to see you there!
...Doug Schneider
das@seriousaboutfitness.com
To see pictures of the Summer 2008 SAF Model Search, visit
the "Galleries" section of www.SAFModelSearch.com. |
