Colored uniforms: the Definitive Answer

[lochinvar]

Okay, so I wrote to the USFA for a clarification.
Below are my questions and the answers (in bold) from Bill Oliver.

Dear USFA;

I have several questions concerning the rules governing clothing,
specifically the use of color on the jacket/knickers and the mask.

I was told of an instance where a fencer was wearing one blue sock and
one red sock at a competition. The fencer's opponent objected to the
socks, and the referee made the fencer in question change his socks to
white ones because the colored ones constituted an "unfair distraction".

My questions with regard to this incident:

Q) Can a director disqualify any part of a fencer's clothing or
equipment because of color or pattern?

A) Only if the clothing fails to conform to the rules. Colored socks are
ok.

The rules for the USFA specifically allow colored uniforms (of any
description or configuration), including socks and masks, in all
non-championship competition.

The fencer of the colored socks was a victim of both he and the referee
not knowing the rules.

Q) Is there such a criterion as "unfair distraction", and how is it
interpreted and applied?

A) There are no rules against "unfair distraction." Such a notion is
nonsense.

I also noted that at the World Cup recently one of the competitors had a
mask painted like an angry clown. In looking through the latest
rulebook, I noted that it says nothing concerning colors and/or patterns
on the mask.

My question:

Q) Are there any regulations concerning colors or patterns painted on
the mask?

A) There are no regulations regarding the color or design of the mask.

And finally, I note that the rules require that the color of the body be
"white or a light color".

My question:

Q) Does this only apply to the torso, or to the entire body, or only to
the jacket? Can, for example, a fencer have a white torso but blue or
red arms on his jacket? Or another example, can a fencer wear a white
jacket with kelly-green knickers and orange socks?

A) The rules say the torso. Fencers can, indeed, in FIE competition, have
colored socks, arms, mask, etc. The jacket can be pale blue or red, or
whatever.

Also note the distinction between USFA Championship and FIE competition,
where "white or of a light shade" is required, and regular USFA
competition, where there are no restrictions on color or design.

Bill Oliver

FOC

There you have it, ladies and gents. Straight from the horse's mouth.

[ElliottEpee]

so milanoli could have worn the evil clown mask...to bad that would have been great to see

[achilleus]

[quote]Originally posted by ElliottEpee:
<strong>so milanoli could have worn the evil clown mask...to bad that would have been great to see
</strong><hr></blockquote>

There are photos of him on strip and at a tournament wearing it. It was disallowed at World Champs in the DE's. The highest level of bout committee in the world told him he was unallowed to wear it, and THEY are the rules.

[countertime]

[quote]Originally posted by ElliottEpee:
<strong>so milanoli could have worn the evil clown mask...to bad that would have been great to see
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Paolo Milanoli doesn't need a carnival mask... his fencing speaks louder than...

He is a modern Faust and needs nothing to shock or mesmerize.

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by achilleus:
<strong>
There are photos of him on strip and at a tournament wearing it. It was disallowed at World Champs in the DE's. The highest level of bout committee in the world told him he was unallowed to wear it, and THEY are the rules.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Really? How very...arbitrary...of them. But then, what would one expect of the French? "L'Etat, c'est moi!"

[Inquartata]

Anybody interested in testing this?

Show up at a NAC with everything except the torso dyed black, and a fist with the middle finger upraised painted on the mask...

[Gav]

Hey Inq' I like that a lot!

Have you guy's heard of Irn Bru (might be called Iron Brew wherever you are)? I wore a spoof Irn Bru top to School once. The Irn Bru logo s bright orange with an athlete running in the middle.

Mine was the same bright prange and had the inevitable "F** you" with the athlete helpfully 'giving the finger' in mid stride.
It still had the company motto on the back,
"Made in Scotland from Girders." [That's me that is!]

Apparently that constitutes 'offensive'.

[ 06-13-2002: Message edited by: Gav ]</p>

[mfp]

[quote]Originally posted by lochinvar:
<strong>The rules for the USFA specifically allow colored uniforms (of any
description or configuration), including socks and masks, in all
non-championship competition.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hmmn. I'm thinking I'd like a "dazzle-paint" color scheme for uniform, socks and mask ... preferably something that strobes under certain lighting conditions. Any leads on vendors for such gear?

[Inquartata]

And glitter. Don't forget lots and lots of glitter.

[Niceguy4186]

what about little LED lights woven into the lame :-D

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by Niceguy4186:
<strong>what about little LED lights woven into the lame :-D</strong><hr></blockquote>

Always somebody pushing the envelope, isn't there?

[135711]

well, as they say in new orleans, let the good times roll! it just seems silly and a poor way to express ones lack of predjudice or their artistic flair. i think it is a distraction for everyone, and if you're a good fencer, you don't need to 'psyche' your opponent out with silly masks or flying pinwheels.
"blah blah, yadda yadda"
-------shy heidi

[shyHeidi]

No need... but pinwheels are fun!