Mainstream newsarticles re: world cup

[oiuyt]

From the AP (via ESPN.com):
Lee wins bronze in men's saber
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...oly&id=1820715

Russia wins women's saber World Championship, Italy wins foil title
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...oly&id=1820351

Americans win first World Cup gold in men's team saber
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...oly&id=1819581

Ivan Lee looks forward to fencing before home crowd
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...oly&id=1818770

Enjoy.
-B :)

[Epeecurean]

[said in reference to the Russians sitting out Pozdniakov in the match vs the US]
"Who do they think they are, sitting out their best guy?," said Jason Rogers, describing his pregame thoughts. "It was really nice to take it and give it right back."

Can anyone say "miracle on metal"?

[jeff]

There was also a short item on Lee's result in today's New York Times. Yesterday's Times had a long article on how jai alai was dying off - space they could have put to better use covering the event in their own backyard.

[nahouw]

[said in reference to the Russians sitting out Pozdniakov in the match vs the US]
"Who do they think they are, sitting out their best guy?," said Jason Rogers, describing his pregame thoughts. "It was really nice to take it and give it right back."

I think that the Russians made a very appropriate strategic decision. They only had to show up at this Team World Cup to retain their number 1 team ranking and Olympic seeding. Why tire him out for the individual event when you can use the opportunity to give the young guns some good high-pressure experience? The USA has benefited by their decision, since by their win, they will now be ranked number 6th for the Olympics, and will face Hungary in their first match.

In addition, since Stanislav won the individual event, he is a mathematical lock on the number 2 seed for the Olympic individual event, and if he shows up in Havana, he will lock in the number 1 seed for the Olympics (he has no points from last year since he wasn't there). I guess now that I looked at the rankings and results and did the math, I now understand why when I ran into him on the elevator before the finals that he was so relaxed and chatty. I know him from before, and he is one of the nicest and friendliest guys you will ever meet, but when he fences, he is so intense and fierce that it is scary. But watching him throughout his individual bouts, I didn't see that intensity come out at all -- maybe many of the guys were drained from the team event, which was so crucial for Olympic seeding. However, in his semi-final bout with Ivan, Ivan had him perplexed at some moments, but I think that Ivan was a bit overwhelmed to capitilize on these moments, and eventually Stanislav beat Ivan.

After seeing all the guys in this event, with only the Havana World Cup remaining, what it looks like to me as to who will wind up on the podium in the Olympics will be from this pool of fencers: Pozdniakov, Charikov, Nemcsik (I have never seen such intensity, calm and control from him as in this event), and Lukashenko.

Of course, there is time before the Olympics for fencers to get their focus, and if some other fencers get their focus back, I can add to the list: Keeth looked very good, and I think that it was just that the team event had drained him; Ivan was excellent, and I think that he was just overwhelmed, and if he can just keep focused and not getting ahead of himself, he can be a contender. Any of the Italians can also be a contender -- what was interesting about this World Cup was that Christian Bauer was more animated in his coaching -- I don't know if it was just the Italians with their emotions or what, but they didn't do well here, and Christian was not happy with their performance. I don't know what happened in Covaliu's bout in the 64, I only watched a little amongst the 4 strips and what I saw looked good, but I was surprised that he lost.

[whtouche]

now the real question is: In polite conversation, does anyone ever call pozdniakov "stan" ?

[nahouw]

now the real question is: In polite conversation, does anyone ever call pozdniakov "stan" ?

If you are familiar with him and talking with him, Stan would be appropiate -- he is truly a really down-to-earth and friendly guy.

[sabreman]

>>Covaliu's bout in the 64

I watched it. He was relying on counter actions and hit low a couple of times on attacks or just plain missing. Wasn't smooth like I saw him last year. Not having any sabre teamates around had to be tough. Also the the french guy (Drion) was on and ended up 16th lossing 15-11 to make the top 8.

[veeco]

That would be Drion, not Dorio :-). He is one of the most promising juniors at the moment in French sabre. His sister is really good too...

[sabreman]

I guess I turned him into a Italian. LOL!

[prototoast]

In other mainstream news, a lot of pictures from New York are on the AP wire.

Why I think clear masks are a bad thing:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...xwc10806140111

Ivan Lee sporting the new adidas:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...xwc11006121907

They call it a "lunge"--I'm not so sure:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...xwc10106102259