New Country heard from...

[edew]

France hasn't really been a powerhouse in women's foil, despite their extremely strong men's foil program. So who's this Adeline Wuilleme who has taken first in the first two world cups for the year, Budapest and Goeppingen? She beat Vezzali both times.

This is why the US needs to have someone out there videotaping these fencers so when they get there, they're not wondering what the hell is happening.

[damianip]

Didn't she take second at Rochester last year?

There's a bunch of videos from that comp at swordsport.com, but I can never get a reliable stream from them.

Paolo

[nahouw]

Adeline Wuilleme has been on the French National team for many years. I believe she is a professor of sport.

[veeco]

Adeline Wuilleme is one of the oldest and most titled French women foil fencers.

She has won the French National title in foil quite a few times and has placed in the top 8 at many world cups. Not a new one at all, Eric.

She might even have finished in the top 8 at a couple World Championships even though I doubt that she's ever had a medal.

Good to see her doing so well this year...

[edew]

I didn't suggest that she's new or young or whatever. Just that I (we) haven't heard much of her in many prior World Cups and such.

Most french women fencers are also a non-factor. Laurence Modain, and I believe a Christina Fekete (maybe she's REALLY old, like early 80s). But they're presence in the top of World Cups have been few and far between, compared to their other weapon/sex categories.

[damianip]

[quote]Originally posted by edew:
<strong>Most french women fencers are also a non-factor. Laurence Modain, and I believe a Christina Fekete (maybe she's REALLY old, like early 80s). But they're presence in the top of World Cups have been few and far between, compared to their other weapon/sex categories.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Eric,

You meant to say "French women foilists", not "french women fencers", right?

Paolo

[edew]

[quote]Originally posted by damianip:
<strong>

Eric,

You meant to say "French women foilists", not "french women fencers", right?

Paolo</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes. The french women's epee, led by Laura Flessel, and the women's sabre, led by Touya, are both quite notable in the world fencing circles. It's just that the women foilists aren't heard from....much.

[veeco]

[quote]Originally posted by edew:
<strong>Laurence Modain, and I believe a Christina Fekete (maybe she's REALLY old, like early 80s). But they're presence in the top of World Cups have been few and far between, compared to their other weapon/sex categories.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I believe you are talking about Christina Cerny. She is actually quite young and was Junior European Champion in 1998, I think.
And she's a cutie too :-).

[edew]

No, I meant &lt;something&gt; Fekete. I remember reading about this before I started fencing (so that's sometime in late 70s). It was an article in the SF Chronicle about some french woman foilist who was busted for posing topless in some advertisement or something like that. And her name was &lt;something&gt; Fekete (or so).

[Boo Boo Too]

Adeline also made the last 4 in Bucharest and Moscow (I watched both). Would have seen her win at Goppingen if the kind man from the German Fencing Federation hadn't decided that he had to take the team back to the airport just as the Last 4 began! Hated to miss the Last 4, but the Germans were very helpful and kind. No wonder Vezzali didn't look too thrilled at the airport later...

Adeline seems to be a very intelligent fencer: has an impresive fencing mind (rather than a very distinctive style).

I have seen Christina Cerny fence (and have lessons) a number of times: she has a really nice style (elegant, but fast and aggressive) - wish I could fence like her.

Boo