new regulations and equipment ordering

[MyraTrue]

We're getting ready to place a new equipment order for our club that should span a years worth of competition. But we're wondering how the new foil rules will effect our equipment.

A couple of questions: when will the new foil rules go into effect (we fence on the collegiate circuit)? How do these new rules effect the tips on foils? Will the new springs (750g vs the old 500g) be able to fit the old barrels? OR, will we need to order new tips and barrels to go with the new springs??

We don't want to find outselves with a year's worth of new parts that we can't USE. We'd appreciate the help.

Cheers,
Myra

[CvilleFencer]

The good news is that you do not have to worry for at least a year. As I understand it they will be trying out the changes in Junior World cup events next year to see how they work in the real world. Based on what they learn from that they may or may not recommend that the new regs be adopted for FIE competition and from there the USFA will decide what to adopt for comps in the US.

Also from the more experianced people I have talked to including a couple of vendors the new tip will not happen so no need to worry about that. Any changes to the scoring box will be firmware changes so you can just pop in a new chip or reconfigure it should you need to. As to the actual foil changes they are really just a spring so swap that can be replaced anytime although I do not look for that one to fly. In short, by what you will with no worries and good shopping.

[MyraTrue]

Ah, wonderful! Thank you!

That does make our shopping a lot easier. I know there's been talk of introducing at high level competitions first, and that explains what I've been hearing. I admit to not having followed the rule changes all that closely after the first spate that came out on the board because I'm an epeeist, and they don't apply to me. But helping with armory makes me break my self imposed ignorance... drat!