It was a bit of a roller-coaster ride but Rotorua Zumba instructors group Team Zest have come out on top winning an international Zumba competition.
Rotorua's Jacque Webber and Kathryn Rollo are stoked after scooping the first-equal place in the 2010 Caipirinha Music Video International Zumba Competition this week.
The Zumba instructorsled Team Zest to victory submitting an online Zumba video entry featuring the Latin-inspired fitness phenomenon.
They were one of 18 finalists out of 122 entrants from around the world.
It was a close run between the local team, whose video was filmed at numerous Rotorua sites, and Canada's Zumbajanik team, with both teams taking out first-equal on Tuesday.
Team Zest received an overall 2956 "likes" on the official Zumba website.
Mrs Rollo said the online voting process had been an emotional roller coaster because of a mix-up in the end results but was absolutely overwhelmed with Zumba head office's decision to have two first-place winners.
She said the mix-up was due to the countries' time zone differences and was glad to have represented Rotorua and to have put New Zealand Zumba on the map.
"When voting closed it was our understanding that we had won by something like 10 votes, and in Canada they thought they were ahead by 5 votes," Mrs Rollo said.
"It was a bit confusing but I'm glad we both pulled through. I know they would have worked very hard to come out on top too," she said.
The team was the only Australasian entry selected, and their video featured them performing at Te Puia, Mitai, The Zorb, Rotorua Lakefront, Government Gardens and the Agrodome. Both teams have the option of taking part in Zumba Week at Club Med Ixtapa in Mexico or the 2011 Zumba Instructor Convention.
The pair will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Zumba Instructor Convention in Florida, Orlando next year.
Mrs Webber said the duo were extremely grateful for the huge amount of support they received from their class, family, friends, locals, Zumba instructors and local businesses throughout the voting process.
Team Zest promoted their video and received votes at The Warehouse in Rotorua last weekend and said it was well worth it.
An open class will be held on November 26 from 6pm to 7pm at the Westbrook School hall on Malfroy Rd.
