Compulsary perspex masks for all weapons

[BoutAfrica]

All masks, starting from Leipzig, used in (FIE) international tourniments will have to be perspex(like the current sabre masks). This still hasent been confirmed but the FIE is pushing it because it makes fencing more TV friendly.

I personaly dislike the masks as they are heavy and seem to distort my vision. On top of this i have just bought a beautiful new mask and dont want to buy a new one. On top of this they dont seem to be so safe. While training at Junior World champs i saw a guy being hit in the visor while fencing Epee and the whole thing just popped back into his face.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by BoutAfrica

All masks, starting from Leipzig, used in (FIE) international tourniments will have to be perspex(like the current sabre masks). This still hasent been confirmed but the FIE is pushing it because it makes fencing more TV friendly.

I personaly dislike the masks as they are heavy and seem to distort my vision. On top of this i have just bought a beautiful new mask and dont want to buy a new one. On top of this they dont seem to be so safe. While training at Junior World champs i saw a guy being hit in the visor while fencing Epee and the whole thing just popped back into his face.

Let's hope it is a joke !!!

[BoutAfrica]

Its not!
I thought it was and so asked the guys at Allstar and they said it was true. Sorry

[fluidfencer]

I wonder whose is going to be liable when the first law suits arise because of injuries sustained using mandated equipment proven to be less safe than what was used before.

And I'll be damned if I let my 10-year-old son use one... if the requirement ever gets down to the younger fencers.

Idiots

Originally Posted by BoutAfrica

Its not!
I thought it was and so asked the guys at Allstar and they said it was true. Sorry

[RebelFencer]

I just don't understand how see through masks will suddenly make fencing more civilian friendly. Honestly, with the masks if it's not broken don't fix it. Our safety should come before ratings.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by RebelFencer

I just don't understand how see through masks will suddenly make fencing more civilian friendly. Honestly, with the masks if it's not broken don't fix it. Our safety should come before ratings.

And why the hell should tv spectators be authorized to see the fencers' faces ?

I hope some us lawyer sues King René in the sake of personal privacy

[Boo Boo]

Originally Posted by BoutAfrica

Its not!
I thought it was and so asked the guys at Allstar and they said it was true. Sorry

Yes, it is true - as you have said: was mandated a number of months ago. It is supposedly already compulsory for sabre (march 2005). All other weapons from Leipzig.

It may get overturned by the FIE congress, but I don't know when they next meet (the FIE congress voted against the original decision to make them compulsory a few years ago...).

Any idea what make of mask the epeeist was wearing? The LP mask (which I have) has a double layer (outer anti-scratch, then a curved strength layer below).

Boo

[Zilverzmurfen]

Relevant link.

[RebelFencer]

Originally Posted by Alan

And why the hell should tv spectators be authorized to see the fencers' faces ?

I hope some us lawyer sues King René in the sake of personal privacy

I don't think the issue is seeing the fencers' faces, just the fact that it seems to be a change for nothing more than the sake of making change.

[Schiavona]

Originally Posted by Alan

And why the hell should tv spectators be authorized to see the fencers' faces ?

I hope some us lawyer sues King René in the sake of personal privacy

Alan, while I agree with you on this mask issue (they're stupid, unsafe and ugly) and don't know any international law people in the USA don't have personal privacy in public places at public events.

[R. Exnicios]

we need to get Rene out!

He's "fixing" things that are not broken.

[JackSparrow]

That registers quite highly on the all time list of pointless decisions.

[ThatReallyHurt]

Agreed. In addition to safety and cost concerns, I think the masks themselves look rather... "silly".

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Schiavona

Alan, while I agree with you on this mask issue (they're stupid, unsafe and ugly) and don't know any international law people in the USA don't have personal privacy in public places at public events.

Everybody should have the right to dress as he likes as far as it respects
the security rules.

Again an example of King René not respecting the fencer's will.

All the changes he promotes (including the broken test timings) are driven
by telegeny and this affair is a new proof.

[achilleus]

I'm against the masks on performance issues, but if those issues can be adressed, I'd have no problem with them being required. They haven't been proven to be safe for fencing, and they don't perform as well as mesh masks (ventilation, fogging, weight, blind spots, etc...)

That said, watching the sabre in Athens, I thought the masks looked great on TV. They allowed for closeups before the action started, and the ability to see the focus and determination in the fencers face. I don't think anyone thinks that a clear mask will bring spectators, but that it will enhance the viewing experience.

Was it a must have? For me, no, but then again, I'm not the IOC whose sole goal is a television audience.

[Army Fencer]

Originally Posted by achilleus

They haven't been proven to be safe for fencing.

I know there's been a lot of concern amoung competitors about safety, but has anyone actually studied this?

[achilleus]

Originally Posted by Army Fencer

I know there's been a lot of concern amoung competitors about safety, but has anyone actually studied this?

That's just it. Very little studies have been done. Sure, lexan's used for motorcycle helmets, and other safety issues, but none of the uses are really similar to the repeated abuse the lexan will take during a season of fencing. An example is that a motorcycle helmet is replaced after one accident, regardless of the condition of the helmet...

Even the SEMI commission doesn't support their use, especially since they can't test them on a regular basis.

[Army Fencer]

Then there's no way to support or criticize their use; there isn't enough information to obligate their use.

You'd think that at very least one of the manufacturers would have done a study to convince their costumers to buy their product and to convince SEMI that they should be used.

Very strange.

[scrapinpeg]

Masks should be banned. They encourage sloppy fencing and lack of control.

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by scrapinpeg

Masks should be banned. They encourage sloppy fencing and lack of control.

They also encourage eyes.