Limoges Photos, stories

[Joe biebel]

Today, I will start with a picture album that can be accessed by anyone via this http://picasaweb.google.com/joefence...sUSTeamDinner# hyperlink. I will add albums on various subjects from Limoges as often as possible.

I invite all of the Vet World participants to email me photos to add to, or to create more albums. I ask that you size the photos to be less than 300MB in size. There will be plenty of photos, so just the the good ones.

As time permits, I will also post stories and opinions on various happenings and subjects in Limoges.

[Craig]

Excellent! Thanks Joe.

Craig

[Joe biebel]

Here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefence...gesGalaDinner#
Is a link to another photo album of pictures taken at the "Official" Veteran's Gala.

The word "Official" in in quotation marks, because there was an "unofficial" party brought about by the Australians for those that were "left out" (due to organizational errors) of the official party.

I would really like to see photos and stories from that group. Also, if someone has an accurate description of the reason it was so hard to get tickets and information, please post it here.

[downunder]

did you have your team dinner at the same place as we did our alternative gala?

I only ask because I wondered why no-one at the dinner was in photos that looks like our dinner...

[piste off]

The word "Official" in in quotation marks, because there was an "unofficial" party brought about by the Australians for those that were "left out" (due to organizational errors) of the official party.

What is the story on that?

R-

[Joe biebel]

did you have your team dinner at the same place as we did our alternative gala?

I only ask because I wondered why no-one at the dinner was in photos that looks like our dinner...

I believe it was the same resturant.
I don't know the answer to the second.

[Joe biebel]

The first thing I would like to say is "Thank You". Thank you to everyone on the team.
Despite the fact that I messed up more times on this trip than on any previous trip in my life, I had the best time ever, got a great result, and made it home safe and sound.

I found the examples set by many people on the team to be inspiring. Chief among them were the Campanas and the Harkeys. Many other selfless acts were performed by Jim Adams and Jude Offerle. In addition to service for others, we had a camaraderie that I have never experienced before.

At any given NAC or Nationals, I am there for 2 days and never get to meet my veteran peers. This was a tremendous opportunity to spend some real quality time, doing what we love to do, with and incredible group.

The kindness and generosity was not limited to our team. One good example of generosity happened to me when my gear was lost on the way to Limoges. One of the Japanese fencers (almost exactly my height weight and handedness) that fenced in the Vet60 foil offered to loan his equipment to me.

Personally, I think I was lucky in so many ways. Despite the fact that I made a science of losing things on this trip, I was able to stay focused and confident to do my best. This was possible because of the support and kindness of others. As far as my fencing was concerned, I think second (without some important improvements) was the best that I could hope for this year. The score was 10-7 for my opponent in the final match. I believe the only person to defeat Mr. Blaschka on the day, was Joe Streb (5-1), in the pools. Blaschka, was incredibly quick and made good adjustments after being down 3-0.

One plea I would like to make is for video of the match, if anyone has it. I bought a camera just for this purpose, set it up, got the first four touches and then the tripod was knocked over by some out of control children. The last twelve or so minutes of video are of the floor.

The referee, Dave Baker, was in his first finals assignment that I know of. Despite the fact that I asked him to review the video replay (there was no video replay capability) on one action, I thought he did great job. Baker also showed great poise and professionalism when the “merde hit the fan” after a call where the defending champion (Galvan) lost his match on a penalty for “falling while making a touch”. I was intently watching the match as I was to fence the winner. The only touch of the match I did not see was the final action. I had my camera set up and was recording the early part of the match but not the final action. It would have been real interesting.

That’s all I have time for today.

Please send your photos via email to: joefencer@sbcglobal.net

[downunder]

One plea I would like to make is for video of the match, if anyone has it. I bought a camera just for this purpose, set it up, got the first four touches and then the tripod was knocked over by some out of control children. The last twelve or so minutes of video are of the floor.

....

Despite the fact that I asked him to review the video replay (there was no video replay capability) on one action, I thought he did great job.

hahaha fantastic, if only in terms of our conversation. I also would like the video if anyone has it.

[Joe biebel]

The only "for sure" mistake I remember Baker making was failure to confiscate a weapon that went bad at about 1:30 into the first period. Pretty minor when you consider how many opportunities there are in a DE match to mess up.

[Joe biebel]

Okay, one more album tonight. Here http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/LimogesV60WE#
is one more album of the V60 WE.

[Peach]

Anybody get any shots of the WS 50+ final? My workplace press person is hassling me for one.

[telkanuru]

The only "for sure" mistake I remember Baker making was failure to confiscate a weapon that went bad at about 1:30 into the first period. Pretty minor when you consider how many opportunities there are in a DE match to mess up.

The Brad does not forget to apply rules. The rules don't exist until The Brad remembers them.

[Goldgar]

The only "for sure" mistake I remember Baker making was failure to confiscate a weapon that went bad at about 1:30 into the first period. Pretty minor when you consider how many opportunities there are in a DE match to mess up.

The Brad does not forget to apply rules. The rules don't exist until The Brad remembers them.

I expect that was David, not Brad, Baker.

[oiuyt]

The Brad does not forget to apply rules. The rules don't exist until The Brad remembers them.

"Baker" in this case refers to David Baker, the Australian referee living in London (aka Downunder).

My final (V50MS) didn't get to 1:30 in the first period. And there was no reason to confiscate a weapon during the bout.

-B

[telkanuru]

Well color me confused then.

Statement still stands.

[Joe biebel]

Sorry for any confusion. I was referring to David Baker not Brad Baker.

Also, for sending me photos to post, it would help if I included my email address. Send photos to Joe Biebel at: joefencer@sbcglobal.net

[Joe biebel]

Rinaldo has sent me about 30 new photos (with more to come) that have been added to the following online albums for Limoges.

Send more photos please. Multiple photos please put in a "zip" file. If you know how to manipulate photos, please reduce size to about 300kb of less.

V60 WS:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/V60WomensSaber#

Opening Ceremony:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/OpeningCeremony#

Team:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/Team#

V50 Mens Foil:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/V50MF#


V50 Womens Foil:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/V50WF#

V60 Mens Foil:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/V60MF#

V60 Womens Foil:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/V60WF#

Team Dinner:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefence...sUSTeamDinner#

Official Gala Dinner:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefence...gesGalaDinner#

V60 Womens Epee:
http://picasaweb.google.com/joefencer/LimogesV60WE#

[oiuyt]

I very much wouldn't mind seeing any pictures of the V50MS final that include the referee in the frame.

-B

[downunder]

I would also like to see the V50 men's foil final... obviously.

The Baker conflict was only slightly confusing...


Only Dos Santos picked me up on the failing to confiscate and he even said the fencer ran away with it so not to worry... not a bad first final I guess. I'd like to see the video to see if Joe was right about one!

[downunder]

and the controversy in the last 8 of the mens foil 50+ was that in the overtime minute at 9-9 the Italian fencer, whilst scoring an in-time and 'valid' counterattack, slipped and fell towards the action. The Italian fencer had already been carded for corps a corps and covering so whilst he was getting off the ground and celebrating I had to annul his hit and award a red card to him for hit scored whilst falling, awarding the fight to the other fencer.