Dressed in beautiful swirling formal ballroom gowns, Alina Blakesley of Boothbay Harbor recently competed in two ballroom dance events in Boston. In American Rhythm events, at the full bronze level, she performed the cha-cha, rumba, bolero, east coast swing and mambo, placing first four times, second once and third three times.

In the International Standard events, featuring the waltz, tango, Viennese waltz and the quick step, she placed second four times and third six times. To challenge herself she competed in a younger age group and at a higher level than her previous years.

“I can't think of a better way to exercise and have fun during the winter months,” Blakesley said, “and I am lucky to have excellent teachers at the Swing & Sway dance school in Rockland. My goal is to enter the competition every year and work on improving the art of ballroom dancing.”

Blakesley takes lessons from Christian Clayton, owner of Swing & Sway, and Steven Rogers from Perth, Australia, who recently joined the team of instructors. Rogers was a finalist both in Blackpool, England, the worldwide home of formal dance competition, and in the Australian version of “Dancing with the Stars.”