Rank Question

[Shpaga]

Hi all. I just got my B this weekend (in epee); the question is,for those who have gone through this, how have you maintained the number of competions you usually go to? In other words, once you get a B you can't compete in national Div II, nor III, nor any local tourney under a B1....eh...I'd almost rather just have a C, since you have a lot more versatility in the kinds of tourneys you can fence in...

Any thoughts, peoples? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[Crash55]

Does your Division have lots of rating limited tournaments? In our division the only tourney you would have to miss would be the National Qualifier.

If your division has lots of restricted tounreys then talk to the people runing them to see why they are doing it. A club in a neighboring division was doing lots of C and unders. It wasn't an issue since no locals had Bs at the time. Once we got a couple Bs in the area they were decided to change the tourneys to Opens so as not to exclude these people.

Personally I think D is the rating with the most versatility. Very little you can't fence in with it.

[swordsen]

Actually, unless your division holds alot of C& under/D& under events you should be more than welcome at any local tourny. I have gone so far as to offer free fencing for A's & B's at events I have run just to get them down.

[Scaramouche]

[quote]Originally posted by swordsen:
<strong>Actually, unless your division holds alot of C& under/D& under events you should be more than welcome at any local tourny. I have gone so far as to offer free fencing for A's & B's at events I have run just to get them down.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I really have no reply to this except to say HELLO! cuz I haven't talked to you in a while. How's all in ol' Georgie?

[Sciurus Rex]

[quote]Originally posted by Scaramouche:
<strong>

I really have no reply to this except to say HELLO! cuz I haven't talked to you in a while. How's all in ol' Georgie?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Way to stay on topic.

Anyway...
Like the others said here, I also don't see very many X-and-under tourneys in my area. Most of the biggies are Open.

Yeah, it might be a matter of where you live. Maybe the local organizers are thinking on a different scale. If so, start poking and prodding them. Whine a little. Because, really, any event that can promise an A or B fencer usually draws a bigger crowd (they all want a chance to beat you!).

On the other hand, maybe it's a matter of your perspective. Instead of trying to attend every little tourney each weekend within driving range, it might be worth your while, Mr. B-Epee, to focus on the bigger events. Train more between. Help raise other new fencers to your level. Refine your goals. Quality over quantity, ya know.

[oiuyt]

I have to agree with Shpaga, it can easily make finding enough competitions fairly difficult. I'm a two weapon fencer and historically I've tried to compete as much as I possibly could. Last season I earned a B in one of my weapons, then a B, followed by an A in my other weapon. This season I've been getting SO many less competitive opportunities that it's becoming a problem.

If you're in an area where it's at reasonable distances you can do opens in several different divisions in order to increase their frequency. Other than that there's really not much you can do to help the situation.

-B
(who's considering doing lots of foil next season just to be able to compete in SOMETHING....)