Is going to international tournaments necessary?

[sleepyweasle]

Any advice on particular competitions? Countries? Can anyone elaborate on the experience from point of view of parent and of child?

Check out any competitions in Canada. They are indeed INTERNATIONAL - without being too far away. They are, for the most part, less competitive than comps in Europe and far less expensive to get to. They are great for giving your fencer a first taste of international competition without the jetlag and the pressure of the European comps - plus they are much more affordable. And they count for FIE points! What could be bad?

[Phincer]

Check out any competitions in Canada.

Is there a FRED for Canada?

[sleepyweasle]

Is there a FRED for Canada?

I don't know but you could look here for a start: http://www.fencing.ca/

[oscaleta]

We are Americans living in Europe. In the country where we live many of the better competitions do not allow foreign children to participate. I anticipate that we will need to travel for my child to pursue fencing. Luckily the distances are short and the flights relatively inexpensive. This is why any feedback on experiences (good or bad) that people have had with competitions in Europe would be most welcome.

[occasionalfencer]

We are Americans living in Europe. In the country where we live many of the better competitions do not allow foreign children to participate. I anticipate that we will need to travel for my child to pursue fencing. Luckily the distances are short and the flights relatively inexpensive. This is why any feedback on experiences (good or bad) that people have had with competitions in Europe would be most welcome.

I don't know which weapon your child fences with, so I don't know how relevant this is. For two years I have traveled with my son to junior epee competitions in Bratislava, Slovakia, and also Ponte de Sor Portugal. Both Competitions had men's and women's. The Bratislava competition was a very strong competition, with a full complement of Americans, at least in the men's. It seemed to be well run. The city of Bratislava I think is Europe's best kept secret. It is not as glamorous as Paris or Vienna, but there is plenty of charm, history and interest there to make it deserving of more attention than it gets. Nearly everyone I talked to speaks English. If your are going, go soon before they change to the euro. Right now it seems to be the cheapest place in the civilzed world, but that will change when they convert to the euro. It is so close to Vienna that it is easy to drop by there on the way.

The competiton in Portugal was not as strong a competition, but it is a totally delightful place, the people are warm and wonderful. I can't say enough good things about our visit to Portugal. And the competition was strong enough that my son found fencers to beat him.

[oiuyt]

The competiton in Portugal was not as strong a competition, but it is a totally delightful place, the people are warm and wonderful. I can't say enough good things about our visit to Portugal. And the competition was strong enough that my son found fencers to beat him.

Judging from the discussion on the British forum it is, however, a great place to pick up some relatively easy junior FIE points.

-B

[oscaleta]

Many thanks for the pointers! My child is an epeeist.

[bunbury]

Just stay in Europe and you should be fine.

(Especially NW Europe.)

Yeah, sure, pissed off Muslims who riot over a cartoonin the Netherlands and France are nothing to worry about.

There have been two documented terrorist attacks in Algeria in the past 500 years. More people are murdered in Chicago on a daily basis, but no one is fearmongering over there being a NAC there.

[HDG]

There have been two documented terrorist attacks in Algeria in the past 500 years. More people are murdered in Chicago on a daily basis, but no one is fearmongering over there being a NAC there.

Where did you get this figure? They are in the midst of a 15 or 16 year old civil war with extensive atrocities on both sides.

[KD5MDK]

Yeah, sure, pissed off Muslims who riot over a cartoonin the Netherlands and France are nothing to worry about.

There have been two documented terrorist attacks in Algeria in the past 500 years. More people are murdered in Chicago on a daily basis, but no one is fearmongering over there being a NAC there.

Wow, you mean both of them (though I'm counting at least 4) happened in the past year (December 2006)?

Anyway, I'm sure I counted more than two in The Battle of Algiers, and I'm pretty sure that was reasonably representative for the time, and within the last 500 years.*

. Sustained small-scale terrorist attacks including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, ambushes, and assassinations occur regularly. A roadside bomb targeted a bus transporting foreign workers of a U.S. company in the western part of Algiers in December 2006. In April 2007 three suicide bombers detonated vehicle-borne explosives outside of government buildings in Algiers. Three more suicide bomb attacks in July and September 2007 in Lakhdaria, Batna and Dellys killed more than 80 people.

* As well as being an excellent movie about terrorism.

[Inquartata]

Plus, I'm sure they have their fair share of garden-variety murders and muggings in Algeria in addition to the political stuff, so the comparison to Chicago should probably be adjusted for that fact---just to level the playing field...

[teacup]

One important change which I believe has lead to the growth of the number of fencers going to international competitions is the posting of information about events and who is going on the USFA website.

Prior to information being available on the internet, fewer people knew about these competitions and the entry process. Since everything is now posted, if space is available, anybody eligible with money, time and will is able to go. The more fencers that attend more events, the more that will want to go either for the fencing or total trip experience.

A few years ago, it was possible to get on a junior or cadet national team without going to any or only one international competition. This is no longer the case. Also international points are added to Group II so in some cases it may be relatively easier to get more points at an international event than fencing domestically.

(It will happen more unless the growth in entrants in domestic tournaments is addressed. With only 12% of Div I ME reaching 32 in Richmond, it may make more sense both financially and for fencing experience to go to a smaller World Cup.)

Compare a Cadet Designated event in Germany to a domestic cadet event.

As for fencing, the German event has four sets of pools and repachage at the round of 64 held over two days. The US Cadet event is 80% up, all but JO's having repachage at 32. (Repachage seems to always be at threat to be dropped.) Plus the fencers are from different countries vs mainly only US or Canadian fencers at a NAC.

Financially, it may be less expensive to go to Europe than a domestic event. For us airfares to Richmond are about the same price as airfares to Germany. The entry fee in Germany is $10.00 vs $100.00 for a NAC and even with the high euro, hotel fees can be less in many European cities.

Time lost, with US events spread out over four days, it may even take less time away from school or work to attend an event in Europe.

Remember, I am only referring to mainly junior and cadet fencers that a fence in few international events each season, not seniors trying to make the Olympics.

[pragmatist]

I've heard mixed opinions about fencing international events for sake of fencing international fencers and gaining experience.

Rather than going to int'l tournaments, it would make more sense to become member of a foreign club and participate in local inter-club and ladder competitions.
I've heard, this is a good one: http://www.fechtentbb.de/inhalt/kontakt/fecht-club.html.

[oiuyt]

Oh, like THEY'VE ever had any good fencers.... Pshaw.

-B

[Allen Evans]

Oh, like THEY'VE ever had any good fencers....

After all, the founder of that club was a BARBER, for god's sake....


AE

[keith]

After all, the founder of that club was a BARBER, for god's sake....


AE

Never underestimate the role a good haircut plays in competitive success.

[Inquartata]

Shall we ask Tim Hagamen about that?

[dcmdale]

Today's News

ALGIERS, Algeria - Two car bombs, one of which targeted the U.N. refugee agency's offices, killed at least 45 people including 10 U.N. staff members Tuesday, authorities said.

Jean Fabre of the U.N. Development Program said it was still unknown who died or which U.N. agencies they represented. Fabre said he received the information from Marc Destanne De Bernis, the agency's top official in the Algerian capital.
The explosion occurred around 9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EST) and blew off the front off the U.N. refugee agency building, said UNHCR chief spokesman Ron Redmond. It apparently caused even worse damage to the main U.N. building housing the U.N. Development Program and other agencies diagonally across the street.

[FoilyDeath]

Today's News

ALGIERS, Algeria - Two car bombs, one of which targeted the U.N. refugee agency's offices, killed at least 45 people including 10 U.N. staff members Tuesday, authorities said.

Jean Fabre of the U.N. Development Program said it was still unknown who died or which U.N. agencies they represented. Fabre said he received the information from Marc Destanne De Bernis, the agency's top official in the Algerian capital.
The explosion occurred around 9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EST) and blew off the front off the U.N. refugee agency building, said UNHCR chief spokesman Ron Redmond. It apparently caused even worse damage to the main U.N. building housing the U.N. Development Program and other agencies diagonally across the street.

Oh common people, its not that dangerous. Plus, it makes the fencing all the more entertaining.
I went to a training camp in Uzbekistan for a week...now that was great fun, even with the secretary of state warning.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Are there lots of fencing competitions in Algeria coming up..?


Edit: A couple in March.