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Lee not only has immediate command of the poles, but she owns the audience. But when she takes the stage, it becomes obvious why I'm supposed to pay special attention to her. Unlike her broader-shouldered competitors, Lee is a sinewy woman of about 5'5". "You're gonna want to see this one," I'm told.
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If the rumbling from the audience is any indication, Sasja Lee is the woman to watch. and a few near misses with the pole.Īfter nearly three hours, the women's competition finally gets underway. Rather, they are focused on brute strength and power mixed with raw sexuality. As for the pole dancing, their performances aren't terribly thematic. MoNika Ell, the group's winner and recipient of one of only two standing ovations on the night, dons a fishnet half shirt and booty shorts while another performer delivers his routine in a BDSM leather outfit and thigh-high patent leather boots. And Rosario's outfit is the least risque of all in the men's division. Wearing nothing more than a blue Speedo and a Keffiyeh-style mask to conceal all but his eyes, Brandon Rosario, who's only been pole dancing for two years, gyrates and pec flexes the audience into a fevered pitch. The audience volume turns from "gymnastics competition" to " Magic Mike viewing" levels when the men hit the stage. But despite their sometimes bawdy show, they don't win the group. While "doubles" shows an impressive level of timing and preparation, the only ones who truly captivate the crowd are the one co-ed team. As one pair after the next perform, I realize this presents many similarities to synchronized swimming, as teammates often deliver parallel performances on each pole. This is exactly what it sounds like: Two pole dancers teaming up for one performance. With my mind still bending from the flips, drops and certain chafing I'd witnessed in the neo division, the doubles groups begin. The audience roars with approval the longer contestants, such as group-winner Maggie Ann, hold gravity-defying poses or turn themselves into human pretzels. In completing these poses, each participant demonstrates absurd levels of upper body and core strength not to mention flexibility. For three to five minutes contestants push the human body - and logic - to its very limits with moves like the Table Top (hanging parallel to the floor), Rocket Woman (it looks like you're flying) and something called Spatchcock (a modified vertical split). It's now that I finally see what pole dancing competitions are all about. The lights go down and a smoke machine fires off a seemingly accidental wisp as the "neo" group begins. Much to my surprise, the audience is at least 75 percent female and quite the rowdy bunch. start time, and the crowd, who've paid between $25 - $74 per ticket, begins to roll in. Judd adds that she's also focused on "how graceful get in and out of moves" and "pointed toes." There is no mention of any champagne room. She tells me that contestants, who are competing for the $1,000 top prize, are judged for athleticism, technical difficulty, artistic expression and choreography. As I continue my conversation with Judd, I get the distinct impression there won't be any 6" Lucite heels, thongs or women named Cherry at this event.