Most Unusual Setting for a Tournament

[Shadow Fencer]

Today I had the opportunity to fence a Veteran's Tournament at a location called the Higgins Armory in Worcester. MA. This is a museum of armor, weapons, etc. from the 14th-16th century. Two strips were set up in large area and in the periphery were various displays of full suits of armour and various thrusting and slashing weapons. Yes, this was a real USFA card carrying tournament. It felt like the spirits of the knights were enjoying the fencing and most likely laughing at us for fencing with "sticks".

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I live to fence and fence to live!!

[ledgerto]

So, How'd you do? I used to live in Worcester. How far did you have to travel to get there?

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Old dogs CAN learn new tricks!

[oiuyt]

I have to agree with Shadow. I was there directing, and the ambiance definately added something. The lighting could have been a bit brighter, but it didn't appear to be a real problem for anyone. Plus we got a fair number of museum visitors that would stop by and watch for a while. Obviously not many people could see the exhibit hall that we were actually IN suring most of the tournament, but we had spectators in the overhead balcony, and a few in the wider parts of the hall.

-B

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"Oh but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!"

All your music are belongs to us- RIAA

[Shadow Fencer]

Legerto-
Well, I didn't come in last! It was a tough one because even though it was a Veteran event, I must have been one of the youngest of the 11 fencers! It's kind of awesome, and this word does describe what I felt- awed that at least two of the gentlemen have 120 years of fencing experience between them! One of these gentlemen came in 2nd and he beat me in our DE! From Albany, NY to Worcester, Mass- 2.5 hours.

Oiuyt- I forgot to tell you that you did a great job directing foil. I left after the foil medals were awarded to get back on the Mass Pike.

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I live to fence and fence to live!!

[HilandDoug]

That sounds like the most unique place to fence I have ever heard of! I am green with envy! A great idea- kudos to whomever thought of hosting the event there!

[oiuyt]

They've been running this tournament there every spring for at least several years. The organizer this year teaches a class there, and has for at least 2 years and the use of it as a venue predates that.

As Shadow mentioned the fencing was almost without exception of high caliber. Of the 13 epeeists, only 3 were unclassified, and 2 B's were there. One interesting thing that I discovered that was different from directing at a "standard" tournament. At a standard tournament a director gets used to the tempo and moves and all that are going on. At veterans tournaments (at least at this one) that's MUCH harder. There were several fencers who routinely crack the top finishes at local opens who used the more athletic moves and speeds that I'm used to, but then there were LOTS of other fencers that while they couldn't do some of those moves were every bit as good using a completely different set of tricks. That meant that every bout had a completely different feel, from one bout that was completely fleche driven (both fencers fleching or attempting to stophit fleches, both fencers around 40-43ish age-wise), to a bout where the two fencers stood at fairly close range, did insane amounts of blade work and body english (for lack of a better description) with very little footwork and finished at 2-0.

I believe that Shadow underestimated the ages of the two eldest, I believe their combined age broke 140, not 120, and might have broken 150 (one of them I KNOW is 78).

All in all it was an interesting experience. If I'm available again next year I hope to direct more of these veteran events (we have 2-3/year in New England division). And in another 15 years maybe they'll let me play too.

-B

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"Oh but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!"

All your music are belongs to us- RIAA