Telemark (waltz)
The Telemark is a ballroom dance step; in waltz competition, it is in the Silver syllabus. Telemarks are reverse turns where the follower does a heel turn as the leader travels around her. There are similar Telemarks in foxtrot and quickstep.[1]
The term "Telemark" is a term borrowed from skiing, in which a turn is generated by a forward leg motion. The closed Telemark and open Telemark are fairly similar. However, the closed Telemark ends in closed position, while the open Telemark ends in open promenade position.[2]
Closed Telemark
The closed Telemark can lead to a natural turn, natural spin turn, hesitation change, or forward lock.[1]
Leader (man)
Step # | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LF fwd | FDC | Starting to turn left | HT |
2 | RF to side | almost backing LOD | slightly less than 3/8 between 1-2 | T |
3 | LF to side and slightly forward | Pointing DW | slightly over 3/8 between 2-3; body turns less | TH |
1 | RF forward in CBMP, OP | DW | H | |
Follower (woman)
Step # | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | RF back | Backing LOD | Starting to turn left | TH |
2 | LF closes to RF (heel turn) | LOD | 3/8 between 1-2 | HT |
3 | RF to side and slightly back | BDW | 3/8 between 2-3, body turns less | TH |
1 | LF back in CBMP | BDW | T | |
Open Telemark
Open Telemark can lead to an open natural turn, chassé from promenade position, cross hesitation, wing, and left whisk from promenade position.[1]
Leader (man)
Step # | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LF forward | DC | Starting to turn left | HT |
2 | RF to side | Backing DW | 1/4 btwn 1-2 | T |
3 | LF to side and slightly fwd in PP | Pointing DW, body facing wall | 1/2 btwn 2-3, body turns less | TH |
Follower (woman)
Step # | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | RF back | Backing DC | Starting to turn left | TH |
2 | LF closes to RF (heel turn) | Facing LOD | 3/8 between 1-2 | HT |
3 | RF diagonally fwd and slightly to R in PP, R side leading | LOD | slight body turn to L | TH |