10th Annual Fete de Lune Veteran Tournament - Aug 16, 2008

[JEC]

Dear Veteran Fencers,

2008 - http://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.p...nament_id=6275

This is the 10th Annual Fete de Lune tournament in Houston (Clear Lake near NASA), TX. This is the #1 event for the Southwest region Veteran Circuit Cup. All attendees earn regional circuit points. It is a great Veteran tournament and Mixed Epee has been A2 tournament a few times.

2007 - http://askfred.net/Results/results.p...nament_id=3984
2006 - http://askfred.net/Results/results.p...nament_id=2248
2005 - http://askfred.net/Results/results.p...nament_id=1109
2004 - http://askfred.net/Results/results.p...rnament_id=619

The tournament is a single day event and there is a banquet at the end. It is a very nice group of fencers, just as you would expect from veteran fencers.

Ray Sexton and Emilio Ybarra are typically participants of the event, but there also a few other very good veteran fencers who don't compete nationally that much such as Don Cravey, Augie Skopik, and Curtis Hardy.

Another thing that is really nice about this event (and the January's Veteran Melee) is the number of people who fence all 3 weapons.

Consider attending this tournament, and support the Southwest region Veteran Circuit Cup. We need more regional veteran events.

You could examine our single weapon and 3-weapon point standings at Ask Fred in the Point section tab. http://askfred.net/Results/pointsLists.php

I hope to see you there.

[schlager7]

Even as we speak my wife is working on the traditional, hand-crafted trophy weapon given as the grand prize. It goes to the fencer (among those fencing all three weapons who fared best overall.

This year it is a fencing sabre. The guard is pierced sterling silver with polished copper beneath and a turquoise mounting. The grip is staghorn.

Tournament logo below

nicole_1.jpg

[bob46]

Looks nice this yr!

Well, doesn't matter to me, I'm not a veteran... yet...

[schlager7]

I should add that the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place medalists in each men's weapon will receive a commemorative bottle of wine... we are still discussing the women's medalists... bottle of red wine or Godiva chocolate liqueur... developements continue

[JEC]

Originally Posted by schlager7

I should add that the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place medalists in each men's weapon will receive a commemorative bottle of wine...

I need to step up my training... I have something to fight for!

[schlager7]

The ladies who place will receive wine, too.

As to the grand prize, handcrafted weapon, while I do not have a photo of the one for this year (since it is a work-in-progress at the moment), here is a picture of the one from 2004 (we rotate: foil, sabre, epee). It has a sterling silver guard (with piercings) and an antler grip.

2004small.jpg

This year's will be similar (different piercing pattern) but with a copper layer revealed by the piercing pattern and a turquoise mounted on the guard. The grip will be similar...

[JEC]

Look at this beauty: the 3-weapon prize for Veterans. Don't you want to come?

[longhorn2008]

Originally Posted by JEC

Ray Sexton and Emilio Ybarra are typically participants of the event, but there also a few other very good veteran fencers who don't compete nationally that much such as Don Cravey, Augie Skopik, and Curtis Hardy.

Is August Skopik registered to fence? I think having the vet over 40 epee national champion of 2003 fence in the tournament would enhance the level of competition. If memory serves, August also maintains a rating in all three weapons suggesting that he might be more than just a very good fencer. I am not sure that vets need to be encouraged to fence in what is undoubtedly an iconic tournament for veterans. However, should one wish to advertise, perhaps our local fencer's accomplishments should be advertised in order to encourage participation.

Thanks!

[JEC]

Originally Posted by longhorn2008

Is August Skopik registered to fence? I think having the vet over 40 epee national champion of 2003 fence in the tournament would enhance the level of competition. If memory serves, August also maintains a rating in all three weapons suggesting that he might be more than just a very good fencer. I am not sure that vets need to be encouraged to fence in what is undoubtedly an iconic tournament for veterans. However, should one wish to advertise, perhaps our local fencer's accomplishments should be advertised in order to encourage participation.

Thanks!

Augie does not compete too often anymore, as he has to be coaching for his club. He is a great fencer. Here are the ratings for some of our top triple rated Veterans in the STX and GCTX Divisions.

STX
Sexton III, Ray: S-B08, E-A08, F-C08 (World MS V50 Champion '99; V50 and V60 National Champion a few times)
Ybarra, Emilio: S-B05, E-B08, F-B08
Dalrymple, Will: S-D06, E-B06, F-D05
Moreau, John: S-E05, E-A07, F-E07
Stull, Robert: S-E07, E-A06, F-E07
Van Der Wege, Gary: S-E07, E-D06, F-E07
Non-3 rated notable Veterans: Curtis Hardy, Robert Reed, V. Bradford, the Hurme, the Hurleys, Wendell Kubik, Paul Pesthy (still a B), Neal Durando (living in France), E. Barrera, J. Strass, me, Ray Parker, Mike Hall, and others.

GCTX
Skopik Jr, August: S-D05, E-A07, F-C07 (2003 V40 ME National Champ)
Cravey, Donald: S-C05, E-B07, F-C06
LoParco, Michael: S-E05, E-A06, F-B04
Non-3 rated notable Veterans: D. Blakley, M. Hamza, A. Popovici, A. Precciozzi, S. Lalumandier, D. Perka, and others.


These ratings were earned on the weapon with one exception. Old ratings given with an "A rating" have trickled down to "E05", and will disappear in 12 months. Notable mean having achieved a B level (or C level in Saber) in past decade. I am sure that I missed some people.. I apologize.

[JEC]

The Fete de Luna is a Veteran's Combined event and currently is looking a very good and nice tournament:

Women's Foil: E1 - 6 fencers (1C, 1D, 4U's)
Men's Foil: likely C1 - currently 14 fencers (1B, 5C's, 1D, 7U's)

Mixed Epee: A1 - 24 fencers (19 male: 2A's, 5B's, 3C's, 1D, 2E's, 6U's; 5 female: 1C, 4U's) - possibly gender separate events (requires 6 women in the event; o/w becomes a mixed event).

Mixed Saber: E1 - 12 fencers (10 male: 2B's, 1C, 1D, 1E, 5U's; 2 female: 2U's)

Notable registered fencers (B07 or better) include: Ray Sexton, Emilio Ybarra, Don Cravey, Augie Skopik, Dwain Blakley, and Alexander Popovici.

[schlager7]

In addition to the commemorative wine, the 1st, 2nd & 3rd places for the men's events will receive "medals" that are, in fact, winestoppers with the tournament logo engraved on it. In the women's events, the same places will receive the same disc as on the winestoppers, but set as a pendant.

Shown below is a "silver" medal... the gold cast is an illusion formed by being set atop a manila envelope.


FdL Winestopper.jpg

[schlager7]

The wine is ready!

FdL2008Vintage.jpg

[schlager7]

Now this is a little rough and it still is to be polished & buffed, but here is a sneak peak at the 3-weapon grand prize for tomorrow...

2008rough.jpg