worst nationals to date!!!

[Arturo]

Wow, this was the worst national champs that I have ever been to. They were increadibly disorganized, the lighting at the venue was horrible, and there was nothing to do at the host city(no offence to anyone from sacramento) than go to "old town" an 1800's western style town with horrible dinning, service and increadibly expensive.

It was nothing like the events at Austin, or even at Charlotte.

I hope it will be better next yeat at Greenville, SC.

but that's just my opinion and I could be wrong.

[EpeePete]

Sounds like I saved myself a whole bunch of money by not going.

Are you going to the Georgia Games, Art?

Pete

[U.M.Amherst.Sabre95]

When will they ever host Nationals at an East Coast venue for crying out loud?

[Chris]

Originally posted by Arturo:
Wow, this was the worst national champs that I have ever been to.

but that's just my opinion and I could be wrong.

Why/ How many have you been to?

[Iwant2bafencer]

Thats to bad that nationals sucked! When will they hold it in one of the SMALLER states??

[saberkid]

well, the venue was VERY big, and cmon! 51 strips? cant beat that! i thought the lighting was great, and it was nice and cool in the venue, evan if it was 107 outside! and if you walk to the "old spegettie factory" its HELLA cheap, and really good food, plus there was a dellie close, and lota other stuff, but, if you buy the venye food... what do you expect? as for nothing to do... yeah! i know! sac sucks magor a$$ so... i agree with you on that. this was my first Nationals... i didnt think it was to bad, denver sucked more!


Chris

[Arturo]

yes I am going to the Ga games. I am not talking about the food at the venue, it was the same people as the others. Mainly the long time it took for strip assignments, the crapy city(lack of bars mainly). But I fenced on the 1st day, they probably got things ironed out later in the week.

[attila]

I thought the venue was OK. Although I go to the Nats to FENCE, not take in the sights. I guess if you do well the venue rules, if you suck *** then...

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"Kill the men, save the women, and by the gods, do not spill the wine"

[Foil Girl]

I agree that it was pretty unorganised, but in my experience most things in fencing are (Although, it's not giving us much good PR. We need spectators!). I kind of assumed it would be this way, but oh well. I doubt greenville will be any better guys in terms of things to do, but I agree with attila. It's for fencing for dern's sake, not sight seeing! Just kidding, whatever goes, goes. I have a question though. I see lots of people upstairs, what's goin on there? Is that where the armourer clinic is and stuff? Yikes, I should know this by now, shouldn't I?

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-Foil Girl
"Nadie nace sabiendo"

[EpeePete]

Originally posted by Foil Girl:
I agree that it was pretty unorganised, but in my experience most things in fencing are (Although, it's not giving us much good PR. We need spectators!).

Unfortunately, our sport is much of one for spectators, although the USFA tries...

Pete

[Cutter]

Are you kidding?

[This message has been edited by Cutter (edited 07-09-2001).]

[Cutter]

I would like to respond to you who feel this Nationals sucked. First, exactly what kind of lighting would you have preferred, to the extensive overhead floresants that lit the place like day light? Second, what kind of entertainment were you looking for? If it was strip clubs and hookers, sorry, you are going to have to move out of the downtown area to find those. If you wanted movies, there were 3 theatres within walking distance. If you wanted museums, there were 2 within walking distance. If you wanted night clubs, there were at least 10 within walking distance. If you wanted water type stuff, the river was also within walking distance. Also, lousy food? Are you kidding, we have some of the finest restaurants in California, but then again, you have to have taste and money to go there.
Your problem appears to be not that there was nothing to do, but that you didn't have enough sense to ask someone what there was to do.

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Cutter
"It's just a flesh wound."

[Cutter]

Also, I would like to know exactly what you feel was disorganized. If it was regarding the fencing, that is beyond the host city's control and entirely that of the USFA. Also, you have absolutely no idea what it takes to put on an event of this size. The planning for this event began over a year ago. I think the event was very well done and so did everyone else I spoke with. There has never been a competition this big and we actually broke records yesterday with 1,019 fencers on the strips in on day. So, don't complain until you know who you are complaining about.

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Cutter
"It's just a flesh wound."

[d8m2k]

Arturo,
Are you sure were in Charlotte during the Nationals?

That town was dead, and the events went far later into the evening. Austin had some surroundings of interest, but the events still dragged.

All in all, I thought Sacto did a fine job. Although, I wasn't there for every event.

[Arturo]

Well, I do have taste, and I do have money. In fact I did ask the locals for advice on good places to go to, and I guess from bad luck on my part, the places were having a bad day.

On the good side, the host hotels were very nice and very close to the venue. I take some of the things back. I was in a bad mood, the airline lost my bags, I got sick, I guees my experience there was the worst ever... not so much the organizers fault.... I just wanted tio *****..

[Peach]

It was the best ever for me. The venue was fantastic, and though the concession sucked there were places to eat all around. People were pleasant, the bout committee was well organized, they had so many sabre directors they didn't even have to use me much when I volunteered, and most of the refs were
pretty good, the T-shirts were cool and they had lots of other cool stuff (pins, magnets, hats, etc.) (loved the photographic poster idea!), the weather was good, the hotels were near, it was great. Charlotte was okay but dead at night, Austin was hot and bleak both times. I loved Sacramento. Loved it. They can do it there again any time they want.

[body cord]

Peach and Cutter: I totally agree with you guys. Nationals were great and I wouldn't know what to complain about. I fenced in 6 events and nothing was ever disorganized. On the contrary, I think USFA did an amazing job. To those who complain: Apparently, you have no idea what it takes to organize an event with over 3000 people participating-
the effort of the bout committee, referees, and armorers was enormous and I think we should thank them rather than criticize their hard work.

[edew]

I have to agree that this nationals was very well run. I fenced in six events as well, three team events and three individual events. All were run promptly, about 30 minutes after close of registration, and with very little breaks between pools and DEs (which would have been nice to have...by my fifth event).

I think, over time, USFA, the bout committees, the local organizers, and all the other volunteers will learn more and the events will be even better run (as well as becoming increasingly larger).

[Clean Touch]

I can only echo Cutter and Peach's comments. The Nationals this year were great.

[Foil Girl]

I agree with the resteraunts thing. There's a lot of great dining out there, you just need to know where to look! I wasn't trying to put down nationals, just making some comments. It was my first summer nationals so I really dont' have much to compare it to. It IS a big job to organise this sort of thing, and I congratulate Sac on their job!

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-Foil Girl
"Nadie nace sabiendo"