Cherry Blossom Open 2006!!!

[fencerontheline]

No clue... I left early... All I know is that the score was registered as 13-0 for his next bout and he was marked as 'fencer excluded'

[qatet]

Story behind the black card?

Apparent failed perception of right-of-way. "If my light's on, of course it's my touch" mentality. At the end of the last call he slammed his weapon on the ground with all his might while dropping the f-bomb. Slowly, gracefully, the black card was presented. He then proceded to berate the (correct throughout the bout) referee at the table, at the Bout Committee, and to the Bout Committee, at which point he was informed that he had to leave the building. Good bye. Good riddance. Good job, Tyler.

[Allen Evans]

Excellent bout committee (yay for having Jill in the area!) and good central location for the seeding/pools/DE tables/results bulletin board.

Horray for Jill!

[Allen Evans]

Good job, Tyler.

I'll second that. I had Tyler refereeing my fencers all weekend and she did a good, solid job.

[sabreman]

Very much appreciate the complements and suggestions. A big THANKS to everyone that competed and to those that help run and organize the tournament.

[dukeofdoom]

Saturday was a long day. Epee check-in ended about 9:30 and medals were presented at about 7:30.

Despite the size of the competition, we were not limited by numbers of strips. Having four more referees would have made a huge difference. During the second flight some pools were actually "triple stripping" to move things along.

Nonetheless, there was a long break between the pool and DE bouts. It was compounded if you fenced well enough for a bye.

Clearly, the large number of late registrants stressed the system. The number of fencers proved too large for the (largely excellent) referee cadre.

[seak]

PA system is probably a necessity in the future.

As I currently have very little voice, I to agree that some sort of system is needed in the future.

A little bit of background at sectionals last year we tried both a microphone and a bullhorn, due to the high ceilings in the facility they echo such that no one can understand what is being said. We looked into a comprehensive (speakers mics etc) PA system and that was cost and labor prohibitive. So suggestions?

Also thanks for all the comments and in the interest of customer service please let us know how we can improve we do take these comments into consideration every year and strive to be better. Obviously more refs and more strips are always a plus : )

Many thanks to Jill and all the Refs this weekend, you all were incredible!!!

[Peach]

The engravings make a very distinctive and striking prize--nice print, carefully pulled, and done with good craftsmanship. The framing is excellent and the little engraved plaques add a nice touch.

[Fechter1]

I'll second the praises heaped upon the organizers. (Actually did that all weekend )

Even though I did stink up the place on Saturday... Oh well, there's always next year.

I would, however, suggest looking into improved methods of communicating information at the site... (PA system, multiple postings, maybe a projector?)

And, as always, the Puerto Rican team brought great energy with them. Thanks to Ulpiano for bringing them along.

[Spike327]

I had a great time in DC this weekend! Good job with such a big tournament.

I'll second the projector comment. You mostly solve the echo/strained voice/incomprehensible announcement problem, and you don't have to muscle through a huge crowd to find your strip assignment. It's amazingly helpful for any tournament with more than 25 or 30 people.

[sabreman]

In Mixed Sabre we had a bunch of close DE bouts which made for an exciting competition. I am really happy we had such a nice turn out.

[restlesscheese]

I was there on Saturday and got all my objectives completed: buying new equipment, taking pictures, and watching some awesome fencing. Great job, all!

[tbryan]

I had a great time in DC this weekend! Good job with such a big tournament.

Same here. I was actually impressed with how quickly the events ran. I've been to events with fewer than half that many fencers that took longer to run. Good job! I really enjoyed it. The Cherry Blossom is certainly on my list of events to attend next year. Maybe I'll be able to convince a larger group to drive up from Raleigh Fencers Club next year.

[tbryan]

A little bit of background at sectionals last year we tried both a microphone and a bullhorn, due to the high ceilings in the facility they echo such that no one can understand what is being said. We looked into a comprehensive (speakers mics etc) PA system and that was cost and labor prohibitive. So suggestions?

Maybe a whistle or air horn to signal fencers across the room that it's time to gather for annoouncements. One whistle for foil, two for epee, three for saber. Once we were all gathered, it wasn't such a problem to hear.

Projectors were mentioned. That could be useful. I swear. I'm just going to bring binoculars to the next big event so that I can see the page from the back of the pack.

[keith]

Maybe a whistle or air horn to signal fencers across the room that it's time to gather for annoouncements. One whistle for foil, two for epee, three for saber. Once we were all gathered, it wasn't such a problem to hear.

Sabreurs can count?

[daveappr]

A projector would be a fantastic idea, but all in all- fantastic job to and kudos to all who put in such hard work this past weekend, I couldn't fence this weekend but from a spectators point of view it all seemed to come together nicely, even my overly critical son had nothing but good things to say.

[telkanuru]

A little bit of background at sectionals last year we tried both a microphone and a bullhorn, due to the high ceilings in the facility they echo such that no one can understand what is being said. We looked into a comprehensive (speakers mics etc) PA system and that was cost and labor prohibitive. So suggestions?

Charge more for entry. I mean, it's not something *I'd* like you to do as someone who has to pay entry, but if you need more refs, a PA system, and grounded strips (which you do), and the tournament is strong enough to get people to come anyway, a price hike is necessary. I mean, there's a reason national events and things like the Pomme de Terre cost as much as they do. It's not like they're huge profit-making enterprises.

[oiuyt]

things like the Pomme de Terre cost as much as they do. It's not like they're huge profit-making enterprises.

Have you ever SEEN the financials from PdT (other than the year at Wellesley)? Huge profit-making enterprise sums it up quite nicely, actually.

-B

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

Maybe a whistle or air horn to signal fencers across the room that it's time to gather for annoouncements. One whistle for foil, two for epee, three for saber...

Whistles to signal people is very degrading, it's like treating people like dogs or something.
An air horn signal sounds like some kind of disaster alert.

A PA system with someone talking would be the best solution. "Foil" for foil, "Epee" for epee, "Ugg ugg" (with or without Mesozoic Era accent) for saber.