A's Fencing for Free

[hello?]

Just curious: Are there any tournaments out there where A-rated fencers fence for free (or at a discount) in an effort to make it a stronger event?

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Yes.

(more characters)

[noodle]

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

Yes.

(more characters)

agreed

[wbowman]

We had discussed it for the Virginia Kickoff (foil only) since we had a couple years in which nearly 100 fencers showed up but only one "A" or no "A's". Never actually got done, and we now have enough "A's" in the Division and nearby that it's not necessary. Certainly strikes me as a legitimate management tool if needed.

[RebelFencer]

I like tournaments like that.

[seven6ty]

They need to start up this practice at NACs... And in SoCal.

[4qtrs]

Originally Posted by seven6ty

They need to start up this practice at NACs... And in SoCal.

We did in Foil this year, but epee events are almost always an A2 now days.

[RebelFencer]

Originally Posted by seven6ty

They need to start up this practice at NACs... And in SoCal.

haha... So you're suggesting that the USFA just not charge for Div 1 ME?

[hello?]

Let me clarify: I meant, at LOCAL (or Regional) tournaments, has anybody thought of letting A-rated fencers (presumably not local fencers) fence for free in an effort to make the tournament stronger/more attractive?...Has anybody done it? Has it worked?

[KidLazy]

Originally Posted by hello?

Let me clarify: I meant, at LOCAL (or Regional) tournaments, has anybody thought of letting A-rated fencers (presumably not local fencers) fence for free in an effort to make the tournament stronger/more attractive?...Has anybody done it? Has it worked?

Yes. place like Bucks County Academy of Fencing has done this for a long time and it works very well.

[dridge]

Bucks County Academy of Fencing in Lambertville, New Jersey has done this for at least a couple of years. The area has a fairly high density of A epee fencers, and many of them go to BCAF tournaments.

Recently, a BCAF A2 Epee tournament began with 8 A fencers (of 32 entrants--I withdrew due to injury). Significantly the Mr Ma Cup (a nearby regional tournament that has been a great meet in the past), which was held the same day, drew 40 fencers, but only three were As. It ended as a B2.

Because of the division "tax" and the sometime need for professional referees, the managment may "lose money" if As fence "for free." However, if the tournments draw well, the non-As may make up for the lost revenue.

Drew Ridge

[Dr Epee]

I was advised by a college fencing coach that a young person who has dreams of fencing on an NCAA team could compromise their amateur status by accepting an "A's fence for free" offer (silly as it might seem). Best bet for such a person is to politely decline and pay your own way. Everyone else is welcome to troll for freebies all they want.

[JEC]

Many events over the past 10 years in Texas have had that format, particularly in Epee. Given the current high density of Epee A's in the state, it is no longer a frequent occurrence.

[Goldgar]

Originally Posted by dridge

Bucks County Academy of Fencing in Lambertville, New Jersey has done this for at least a couple of years. The area has a fairly high density of A epee fencers, and many of them go to BCAF tournaments.
[...]
Because of the division "tax" and the sometime need for professional referees, the managment may "lose money" if As fence "for free." However, if the tournments draw well, the non-As may make up for the lost revenue.

Unfortunately, it seems likely that BCAF will have to discontinue this policy some time soon, at least for epee, much as we like the strength of competitions it encourages. As Drew points out, there are so many A epeeists in the area, it's costing us a lot.

So all you A-classified epee fencers in the Mid-Atlantic region -- come to Bucks and get your free entry while supplies last!

[Goldgar]

Originally Posted by Dr Epee

I was advised by a college fencing coach that a young person who has dreams of fencing on an NCAA team could compromise their amateur status by accepting an "A's fence for free" offer (silly as it might seem). Best bet for such a person is to politely decline and pay your own way.

That does seem silly, but oiuyt is in a better position than I am to comment on whether it's being over-cautious or not.

[dridge]

Awwww....

[RebelFencer]

I was under the impression that as an amateur you were allowed to get financial help up to the expenses paid for the trip (i.e. plane ticket, admission, etc.), but the second you got $1 more than that you were considered professional.

[wahrman]

Not the same situation but I went to a tournament in England where all international entries got a freebie. That was pretty cool.

[DJ Apostrophe]

Originally Posted by dridge

Bucks County Academy of Fencing in Lambertville, New Jersey has done this for at least a couple of years. The area has a fairly high density of A epee fencers, and many of them go to BCAF tournaments.

Recently, a BCAF A2 Epee tournament began with 8 A fencers (of 32 entrants--I withdrew due to injury). Significantly the Mr Ma Cup (a nearby regional tournament that has been a great meet in the past), which was held the same day, drew 40 fencers, but only three were As. It ended as a B2.

Because of the division "tax" and the sometime need for professional referees, the managment may "lose money" if As fence "for free." However, if the tournments draw well, the non-As may make up for the lost revenue.

Drew Ridge

Just as a Data point... the Epee events at Mr. Ma have always paled in comparison to the Foil and Sabre events... I don't think that this year was a change from past years.

-w

[LeftHanded]

A club down here has a policy like that. I think that every tournament, they give let A's fence for free and B's and C's get a discount off the fee's