Anybody going to the Middlebury Open?

[Welted 24/7]

This probably belongs in the tournament folder, but I guess it can be moved if it's in the wrong place. WHat kind of competition can I expect for sabre, and how much is it gonna be?

[prototoast]

I guess my answer is effectively no, but where/when/what is the Middlebury Open? It sounds like a generic enough name such that there could theoretically be multiple Middlebury Opens.

[Welted 24/7]

Right, I should have specified. It's in Middlebury, Vermont, as part of the NAS circuit.

[darius]

I'm going to Vermont, but the only white I'm gonna be wearing is whatever sticks to me after a tumble in the glades.

Isaiah; when do you guys practice? The idea of catching a Horde practice on the way to Jay or maybe some other random time sounded kinda appealing.

edit - Also, who runs the NAS section circuit? WNY might be interested in holding an event next season.

darius

[DJ Apostrophe]

Darius,

The circuit is run by the section.... I'm sure oiuyt could give you more info about getting an event on the circuit.

I will be going to the tournament (for epee, not sabre as the inital poster was looking for detail on) I've gone to the previous two circuit events... and I need to make up for my oops in the Turkey Stab... damned that running into team mates in the 32 after they blow their pool...

more info on circuit here: http://www.nas-usfa.org/NASC.html
current standings here: http://www.nas-usfa.org/NASClist.xls

-w

[Zara_athlen]

hey DJ how big was the tournament last time, because me and others from the New Paltz club are considering going.

[oiuyt]

Actually the circuit is run by me, personally, rather than by the section per se. This is the first year of existance for the circuit and it was started with 6 events: Granite State Open (Northeast Division, specifically NH), Turkey Stab Open (Connecticut Division), Middlebury Open (Green Mountain Division/VT), Senior Sectionals (Long Island Division this year, althought obviously this changes), Hudson-Berkshire Championships (Hudson-Berkshire Division, mostly NY, these are open events despite being divisional championships), and the Pomme de Terre (New England Division, MA). Top 4 of 6 results count towards the standings, 2 events have already taken place. Winner in each of six weapons will receive a decorative sword prize. Darius- talk to me in person sometime for more details.

With regards to the Middlebury Open, the sabre is likely to be fairly weak, there just aren't enough local sabre fencers there. Hopefully with the inclusion of the event in the circuit a significant travelling population will be in attendance (one of the whole purposes of creating the circuit). GMD is considerably stronger in foil and, to a somewhat lesser extent, epee. I don't have results from last year, but 2 years ago the MO sabre event had 6 entries. Viveka should be able to give you pre-reg numbers about a week before the event which might help. Then again, pre-reg isn't required and most out-of-division fencers might not realize that it saves you $2 to do so.

If it weren't for the fact that the MO sabre event is a conflict with Mid-Atlantic/South NCAA regionals I would be there and fencing. Unfortunately the job comes first.

-B :)

[DJ Apostrophe]

hey DJ how big was the tournament last time, because me and others from the New Paltz club are considering going.

Honestly, you're better off asking viveka (you can find her e-mail address on the green mountain division home page) ... I've never been up to VT for a tournament myself... this will be my first one...

-w

[oiuyt]

From an email I received today from GMD:

2. Please pass the word to everyone in your clubs that advance sign-up is STRONGLY recommended for the Middlebury Open. Competitor numbers are capped (open epee is filling fast, with open foil close behind) and walk-ins are NOT guaranteed a place. I'd hate to see anyone drive a distance only to find they can't fence because the event is full. To sign-up, fencers should e-mail me their name, club, rating and events they want to enter. Pay at the door. Those visiting from farther away clubs (MAF, WR, MAU, etc) who want to fence both days-let me know (at least a week in advance) and I will arrange Saturday night hospitality for you.

Email was written by Viveka Fox. Her email is available on the GMD website (http://www.vtfencing.org).

The venue has a max of 9 strips I believe. Sounds like the event's drawing a significantly bigger field this year than in the past (hopefully helped by the NASC status?).

-B :)

[Welted 24/7]

Well, I signed myself up for sabre. It sounds like it'll be a decent competition...at least, it sounds like there'll be more than six people.

[telkanuru]

I'm registered for the open epee.

[Zara_athlen]

i'll be there for foil

[DJ Apostrophe]

I e-mailed Viveka to ask about registration names / numbers for open epee, and this was her response:

It's going to be a great epee event-50 of the 64 spots are already
filled, including 5 Bs and about 10 Cs. I don't have the full list
typed up, but if any others would like to join in, tell them to reserve their spots soon!
Thanks,

Viveka

[HillBilly]

yeah, I go to the Middlebury club, and will be setting up/fencing in/running the competition. The venue is around 9 strips, and Middlebury is around four hours from the New Paltz area. Also around 4 hours from Boston. The tournament should be good, the registrations in foil are a little weak at this stage compared to the Turkey Stab, but the tournament is always fun. Feel free to email at The_0ne212@hotmail.com or PM me for more information or if you have questions. . .

Isaiah

[The0ne]

yeah, I go to the Middlebury club, and will be setting up/fencing in/running the competition. The venue is around 9 strips, and Middlebury is around four hours from the New Paltz area. Also around 4 hours from Boston. The tournament should be good, the registrations in foil are a little weak at this stage compared to the Turkey Stab, but the tournament is always fun. Feel free to email at The_0ne212@hotmail.com or PM me for more information or if you have questions. . .

Isaiah

Darius, we practice on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, and Tuesday afternoons. Night practices run from 6:30 until 9ish. There are a couple locations where we practice, so if you know which day you are thinking of, I can give you directions. . .

[mackillian]

I know that a few of my clubmates are going, rides were being planned out yesterday. Myself, I'm going to a tourney where I'll have a chance of doing okay.

[Zara_athlen]

what tourney is that mac?

[mackillian]

The mixed E foil in Portland.

Though, the Middlebury Open does have a Novice Foil on Sunday...

[The0ne]

The novice foil is open to unrated fencers only, with less than 3 years experience, so if you are looking for a "lower-level" competition, that's a good one to go too. ..

[mackillian]

I think that'd be me. I've been fencing for less than a year, have been in one USFA tourney and am unrated.