A05-A06 Gentlemans bet

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Alright, I'm making a silly bet here. I'm dousing the winners of the bet with rep points every week for the rest of their frickin lives! Yes, thats it. The bet itself is for whether or not I can earn my A by the end of the 05-06 US summer nationals.

[mrbiggs]

I was going to say "of course you can," but then I remembered that you had mentioned that you're limiting the tournaments you're going to. It looks like you have four main chances to get an A, with the four opens you mention first, as the other events are either nearly impossible to get into the top 8, or probably won't be A events. (JO qualifiers.)

I'll vote yes anyway, because I'm an optimist. And you went from what, an E to a B in a year? From B to A will be a walk in the park!

[prototoast]

No. (characters)

[Army Fencer]

Something smells fishy. Like Pete Rose...

I don't think betting one way or another on this is a good idea. Say I say that you will get an A, and then I go to a tournament with you and purposefully lose to you in the final match. There's an ethical implication, even if it's over something as small as a rep point. It isn't something I would do, but I wouldn't put it past someone.

Take my gentleman's advice: stop this now. This isn't something you want to do, DFP.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

hmmm.... I don't understand your point of view, army. When its something intangible and silly like rep points, I dont believe its a consequential matter. If it was money or something "real" then I would very much agree with you. However, this is like betting imaginary friendship... its intangible, practically.

I dont think that betting rep points would effect my NCAA eligibility , however, I do appreciate your advice.

[LUDICROUS]

I have no experience of the american fencing scene, but I'm going to be the pessimist I am and say "No."

Sounds pretty hard, and you're what, 15?

If you do, you're either actually talented, or lucky.

[R. Exnicios]

In Epee, I'd say yes.

If you really want to impress us get the A in all three. Does anyone have that these days? i knoe of peopel with Bs in all three but not ay As

Good luck.

the CCO is always a good A epee event (hint, hint)

Cheers

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

In Epee, I'd say yes.

If you really want to impress us get the A in all three. Does anyone have that these days? i knoe of peopel with Bs in all three but not ay As

Good luck.

the CCO is always a good A epee event (hint, hint)

Cheers

haha.... I plan to attend the CCO this year. I believe the only triple A in the USFA is nontapat panchan... I could be wrong.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Hm, I actually voted no.

I think you will get your 'A' someday, DFP, but my bet is it won't be this season. Best of luck trying though!

[Orangeaholic]

THE MIGHTY GRANT WILL ROAST EVERY FENCER IN HIS PATH!!

with the eventual victory of (insert tournament here) you will earn your A.

I have faith in you!

~Orange

[JEC]

We're assuming that you are trying to get an A rating in Men's Epee. If so, you should try making it to some of the SSCC events:

10/29-10/30 Longhorn Open (South Texas) - 2004 was in Austin,TX and an A4 tournament with 75 competitors.
11/19/-11/20 Oz Parsons Memorial (Oklahoma Division) - 2004 was in Oklahoma City, OK and an A2 tournament with 53 competitors.
1/7-1/8 Rose Condon Memorial (Ark-La-Miss) - 2005 was in Shreveport, LA and an A2 tournament with 45 competitors.
2/11-2/12 Gulf Coast Open (Gulf Coast) - 2005 was in Houston, TX and an A2 tournament with 30 competitors.
3/18-3/19 Gold Blade Open (North Texas) - 2005 was in Rockwall, TX and an A2 tournament with 45 competitors.

Other "A" rated tournaments in Southwest Section (based on 2004 participation) are:
- Houston Cup tournaments: HC#6 A2 - 29 competitors, HC#2 A2 with 44 competitors.
- DeGall Memorial (Dallas) - A2 with 35 tournaments
- Crecent City (New Orleans) as suggested above by Rich Exnicios): A2B3 with 77 competitors.
- Poujardieu Memorial Tournament (San Marcos, TX) - A4 with 77 competitors.
- Battle on the Bayou (Houston) - A2 with 53 competitors.
- Cat Fight (San Marcos, TX) - A2 with 32 competitors.
- Bobcat Open (San Marcos, TX) - A3 with 77 competitors.
- Cougar Call to Arms (Houston, TX) - A2 with 49 competitors.

If you are looking at these tournaments as opportunities to get your A rating, then, in my view these are the TOP 3 Epee tournaments in the Southwest Section, and all 3 are in South Texas:

10/18/05 - Bobcat Open (San Marcos, TX) - 2004 was A3 with 77 fencers.
10/29-10/30/05 Longhorn Open (Austin, TX) - 2004 was A4 with 75 fencers.
(Jan. '06) 25th Poujardieu Memorial Tournament (San Marcos, TX) - A4 with 77 fencers.

You can get to San Marcos by flying to San Antonio or Austin.

DATA: AskFred.net (Thanks, Peet)

[counter riposte]

There are two important things to remember here:

1. Be realistic- How good you can truly be depends on the distance you are willing to travel to fence and practice against high level competitors. The area and region that you are in will determine how many good fencers you will be able to frequently practice and bout against. Technique can be taught through repetition. Tactics and strategy cannot. Finances will also dictate how far and how frequent you will be able to make these trips.

2. Forget realism- If you are truly committed to getting the A, you will move travel, explore, and sacrifice to get to A rated competitions in your area. You will also have to travel to every NAC for which you qualify for to fence the highest level you possibly can. You will have to fence as often as possible with as many people as possible, because fencing is a dance; the more people you fence the better you will be able to "lead" your opponent.

You will have to travel the path to which every Olympian has sacrificed and faught for to earn the right to be called such.

If you are willing, you shall... If you are not, you won't.

Good luck.

[Mr Epee]

Something smells fishy. Like Pete Rose...

I don't think betting one way or another on this is a good idea. Say I say that you will get an A, and then I go to a tournament with you and purposefully lose to you in the final match. There's an ethical implication, even if it's over something as small as a rep point. It isn't something I would do, but I wouldn't put it past someone.

Take my gentleman's advice: stop this now. This isn't something you want to do, DFP.

You can't be serious.

Where the heck did this come from?

Army, it's probably time to loosen your strings a little bit...

[counter riposte]

I actually agree with Army Fencer.

Ethically, an "A" is something that has to be earned.

Any "A" rated fencer that shows up to a competition, and does not give their full effort is an "A" that gives away "A"s & "B"s. It devalues what the "A" stands for, the best in our sport nationwide. The contenders, the Olympic hopefuls, the ones who will give it thier best, the ones who sacrifice years of training to compete for the love of our sport.

I agree that any rating, whether A through E, MUST be earned. Anything less would tarnish any medal recieved.

On the other hand, I seriously doubt anyone here (especially any self respecting "A") would ever blow a bout for reputation points; I found DFP's comments to be rather facetious at best.

[mrbiggs]

I actually agree with Army Fencer.

Ethically, an "A" is something that has to be earned.

Any "A" rated fencer that shows up to a competition, and does not give their full effort is an "A" that gives away "A"s & "B"s. It devalues what the "A" stands for, the best in our sport nationwide. The contenders, the Olympic hopefuls, the ones who will give it thier best, the ones who sacrifice years of training to compete for the love of our sport.

I agree that any rating, whether A through E, MUST be earned. Anything less would tarnish any medal recieved.

On the other hand, I seriously doubt anyone here (especially any self respecting "A") would ever blow a bout for reputation points; I found DFP's comments to be rather facetious at best.

This thread has nothing to do with earning an A unethically.

[whtouche]

Does anyone else not really see how this is a bet? It's an opinion poll, not a bet. Who are we betting with??
This POLL is flawed.

[glowstix]

hey, i do think army was joking about this. you don't really think anyone would actually do that..come on guys..

DFP,

the jury is out as to whether you'll earn your A but i think you can re-earn your B. like the other poster said, its about how many A rated tournaments you go to.

i've been to 13 total tournaments so far and none have been A rated. i've only fenced 2 A's total; then again, i don't get out much, .

its not easy to find them and when you do, you better "have it all together" that day.

hopefully i'll fence you by the end of '05, 'cause after december, i'm gone.

[Fencergrl]

hopefully i'll fence you by the end of '05, 'cause after december, i'm gone.

Then you're off to kick some Canadian butt on the strip???

Wait a minute.... don't tell me you're going from Florida to Ontario in the winter! Glow, Glow, Glow.... it'll be months before you thaw, no matter how warm and friendly we Canadians are!

Man you should have applied for UBC in Vancouver!

[glowstix]

Then you're off to kick some Canadian butt on the strip???

Wait a minute.... don't tell me you're going from Florida to Ontario in the winter! Glow, Glow, Glow.... it'll be months before you thaw, no matter how warm and friendly we Canadians are!

oh yeah baby!!! they better be ready for glowboy!!! and no, i'll be moving in the summer time hopefully if all goes well. i meant this winter will be my last in FL.

most likely i'll be taking a long time off fencing to settle into the new environment.

[fencergal33]

Does anyone else not really see how this is a bet? It's an opinion poll, not a bet. Who are we betting with??
This POLL is flawed.

Good point....

What EXACTLY is the bet? Do we get something from you DFP if we we're correct in our guess, or give something if we're wrong? Explanation, please!