Just came back from the (second?) Big Apple Open. The WS was held at the Athletic Club, and it was organized, run quickly, and had actual paid referees (don't laugh--I can't tell you how many times in the last couple of years I've been in self-refereed tournaments). Yes, some of the referees were a little green and unsure of themselves, but they were calling actual sabre. It was a nice event with some very strong fencers in it from New York, New England, and a few other places (we were there from Philadelphia), and I particularly liked the big basket of apples. I think it was at least an A2--27 fencers, lots of As & Bs, lots of people I know from NACs.

Daria Schneider beat Heidi Tinter by 1 touch to win. There were some surprising upsets in the DEs (I'm afraid I was one of the ones who was surprised, so I finished 9th).

I just like to post a mention when I really think a tournament was nice, and I liked this one. We need more large regional tournaments like this! Also, a week before San Diego was nice timing.