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27 www.baristamagazine.com they participated in during the daytime hours, attendees were delighted when Antonella announced inspired evening activities to stimulate them physically—such as a hike through a spectacular vineyard, ending in a wine tasting—and reward them for their passion and energy, like when she whisked the baristas away to Lake Como for a sunset dinner on the water. As generous as Dalla Corte is to host such a remarkable skill- and community-building retreat for these baristas, Antonella knows that the gusto with which the baristas approach the WLAC and WCIGS is what will make them successful in the long run. Rightly, it's a win, win. The worst part about DC Campus? It's the good-byes. Heartfelt tears are shed between bouts of laughter as baristas cavort at the edge of the dreamy, moonlit Lake Como; friends join hands and squeeze, make one another promise to practice hard. The next time they'll see each other will be in the competition setting of the WLAC and the WCIGS in Melbourne on May 15—but they can't wait. It will be a relief, rather than an intimidation, to see opponents like this, who are really more friends than rivals. And it's all because of the magic that happens once a year in Milan during DC Campus. —Sarah Allen At top: La e Art Champions Seivijus Matiejunas (Ireland) and Magdalena Brodzinska (France) took a break from milk steaming to try some of the experimental coffee cocktails being made by the WCIGS champs. Below: National champions in Coffee In Good Spirits gathered for a session with judge Sonja Grant to discuss any confusion or concern about what they would be faced with in Melbourne at the international competition. In the front row, from le: Marcin Wojciak of Poland, who placed second at the WCIGS in Nice, France; current Coffee In Good Spirits Champion of France, Nir Chouchana; Martin Hudak of Slovakia who placed sixth at the WCIGS in Nice; and Gordon Howell of the United Kingdom, who placed third at the WCIGS in Nice. Behind them, 2013 WCIGS champion Victor Delpierre looks on. B o o k 1 - 4 6 . i n d d 2 7 Book 1-46.indd 27 5 / 1 5 / 1 4 1 0 : 2 9 P M 5/15/14 10:29 PM