| Dear Gogsnik
I would say that the real misconception that allways has plagued the description of our sport it's the importance given to the speed element. We have to remember that this is only one of three pillars:a)tempo,b)distance and c)speed, and every fencing determination, offensive, defensive, or counter- offensive should have all of them. In my opinion the least important i'ts the speed. For example, you can be the fastest fencer in the world but if you don't have the correct distance and the correct "tempo schermistico" chances of success for your determination are not that great. So the concept here i'ts to understand that speed serves the tempo and the distance, not the other way. After having identified the right distance and tempo for your action, then you apply speed to make it difficult to the opponent to react efficiently. Experienced fencers know this, that's why it's not uncommon to see fencers in their late 40's still fencing with an accepable level even after losing some streight because of their age.( what you lose physically, it's compensated tactically). Of curse a big fencer can be fast, I agree with you, but again for me the inportance is when to do a fencing determination and if I have the right distance. After I have solved these problems, the speed it's, shall we say,"the final touch".
I hope I have helped a little bit with my point of view about this interesting matter.
Allways at your service,
Maestro Montalvo | 
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