American Dancers Will Make It To World Competition Despite Lufthansa Strike

NORTH ANDOVER (CBS) -- Dancers prepared for disappointment Friday, but their parents' and instructors' hard work paid off. They will make it to Germany in time for their tap dancing competition.

American tap dancers were all set to head to the World Tap Dancing Competition in Dresden, Germany on Friday but the Lufthansa pilots' strike foiled their plans. With their flight out of Logan Airport cancelled, the dancers weren't sure they could find a flight to accommodate the nearly 200 passengers heading to the competition.

The crew was wheels up Saturday night, though, after more than 20 hours spent trying to re-book the flights. They will land in Germany in time to compete.

"It was very very disappointing and stressful, and we got no help from the airlines," dance coach Nancy Chippendale said. "We finally found someone at United who would talk to us so we're thrilled with that airline, and they're making sure we get there today."

From the U.S.A., 82 dancers, including multiple from Massachusetts, will compete against other tap dancers from 30 other countries across the world.