Olympics Fencing

[dekko]

Curious if any armourer whoeither was in Athens or know the set-up in Athens could help me with the following questions.

1. I noticed there were boxes, or what looked like boxes, behind each fencer. Were they boxes or very elaborate 'extension lights' with a scoreboard. If they were true scoring machines, how did they link all of three boxes together?

2. How much run-off was there behind the strip? Looked like 10 feet but wasn't sure.

3. Was there extra 'grounded' area off each side of the strip? It looked like there was and it was about 6 feet off each side. The blue looked to be 2 shades and was curious if it was extra grounded floor. If so, very impressive.

4. In sabre, can the lights in the mask be added to any mask or are those masks specially designed to accept the lights?

Anyone who knows or was in Athens and can help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[JEC]

Guillermo Alger, from Boston Fencing Center and www.esgrimamex.com is still in Athens. You could contact him at:

galger@esgrimamex.com
http://www.esgrimamex.com/cgi-bin/ul...ile;u=00000001

[neevel]

I'm not there, but I can answer some of your questions.

Originally Posted by dekko

Curious if any armourer whoeither was in Athens or know the set-up in Athens could help me with the following questions.

1. I noticed there were boxes, or what looked like boxes, behind each fencer. Were they boxes or very elaborate 'extension lights' with a scoreboard. If they were true scoring machines, how did they link all of three boxes together?

These are used as extension lights (SG-21s slaved to an SG-31 is a common configuration). The idea is that the fencers can see lights and time at the end of the strip.

4. In sabre, can the lights in the mask be added to any mask or are those masks specially designed to accept the lights?

The StM reel-less system is intended to be used with any mask. The only issue I've noted would be with the Leon Paul contour-fit system. The scoring unit itself is designed to slide on to the toungue of the mask, and then connect to the lights which are attached inside the mask. I don't know how they'd affix them to a countour-fit, which doesn't have the tongue.

-Dave

[dekko]

One other question, what kind of ground strip was being used? There were some close up shots of it from time to time and couldn't nail down exactly what kind of strip it was.

Anyone know?

[DHCJr]

In regards to the piste. I was not there, but I can tell you the rules and what has happened in the past. Look at the diagram after T.11. The grounded area must cover the raised strip completely. This is so the referee does not have to worry about watching the edges on a raised platform.

Most of these strips are built piste from metal plates where different colors are used to show the different areas.

[dekko]

Sorry, I meant who made it. Leon Paul, France Lame, Allstar, PBT, etc.

Thanks.

[neevel]

Originally Posted by neevel

The StM reel-less system is intended to be used with any mask. The only issue I've noted would be with the Leon Paul contour-fit system.
-Dave

BTW, I've looked at the photos of Louise Bond-Williams fencing in Athens on the Leon Paul website, and she was using a contour-fit mask, so the StM unit is able to attach to them.

[JEC]

Isn't she a member of this board forum?

[dekko]

On the wireless system, do those lights fit in any FIE mask or just those that have the lexan visor?

Does anyone sell the wireless system to normal people like us yet or is this still just a FIE event thing?

Anyone know who made the strip used in Athens on the 'finals' strip?

[Purple Fencer]

I think it was only used in teh finals in sabre, as it takes too much time to set up.

Last tie I know it was used was a Jr World Cup a couple of years back.

I'd guess it'll be some time before it sees widespread use at FIE events, let alone USFA or in salle.

[neevel]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

I'd guess it'll be some time before it sees widespread use at FIE events, let alone USFA or in salle.

In addition to the set-up time, StM does not sell the system to anyone. The FIE contracts with them, and they send their own technicians to any tournament where it'll be used to take care of all the set-up. They don't like anyone else touching their equipment.

-Dave

[dekko]

Is any company working on a wireless system that normal people, not just the FIE, can buy?

I thought this might be like anything else where one company does something then others copy it with their own twist then call it their own.

Thought this might be like that.

[Robert (2)]

Originally Posted by dekko

Is any company working on a wireless system that normal people, not just the FIE, can buy?

Yes, several groups of people are working on the systems and a company called Phaedrus has actually produced a prototype foil system. However, that as far as I know is on hold.

Try this address if you are curious where they are up to
roy@phaedrusltd.co.uk

Robert

[suregrip]

I MAY be wrong, but I think Zivkovic has one for $80.00. You get the lights, but no sound. I don't know if they carry foil, epee, sabre, or all three.

[neevel]

Originally Posted by dekko

Is any company working on a wireless system that normal people, not just the FIE, can buy?

I thought this might be like anything else where one company does something then others copy it with their own twist then call it their own.

Thought this might be like that.

Estoc has a wireless 3-W system that they are advertising on their web site. It uses RF, so it won't be approved by the current FIE administration for competition use. The intent seems to be to market it for club installation. There's no price set yet, but Scott Harkey told me that it'll be somewhere north of a couple grand. Given that you can nowadays get a single 3-W strip with a bungee system set up for less than $500 (or $800-900 with reels), the economics don't strike me as particularly favorable.

-Dave

[P00Man]

yeah but itd still be real nice.

ive got my eye on a couple of them for when i put some strips into my home.

[Artisan]

Originally Posted by neevel

In addition to the set-up time, StM does not sell the system to anyone. The FIE contracts with them, and they send their own technicians to any tournament where it'll be used to take care of all the set-up. They don't like anyone else touching their equipment.

-Dave

http://www.shopeli.com/

is representing STM in the USA, and lists a wireless sysem on their site.

[Artisan]

Originally Posted by neevel

Estoc has a wireless 3-W system that they are advertising on their web site. It uses RF, so it won't be approved by the current FIE administration for competition use.-Dave

Um yeah...French and electronics....two words you don't usually hear in the same sentence.

[P00Man]

the stm wireless scoring system just brings up a blank page on their site.

id like to get a look at it.

[dekko]

Curious, does the box itself change for the wireless stuff or does the wireless stuff plug in to the box and fencer's equipment?

The StM site mentions a wireless scoring box, are they talking about the boxes with a remote?