US sabre - what is happening?!?

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by edew
You're kidding right? US men's sabre has the greatest depth of all the weapons. Women's sabre is still too young to see if the depth will be there.

At national events, Keeth, Akhi, Ivan, and others have to beat off the challengers with a big stick: Jason Rogers, Mike Momselitdze (sp?), Patrick Ghattas, Zagunis, Douville, Crompton, Jason Paul, Ilan Chernov, Alex Krul, Paul Friedman, James Williams, Curtis Andrus, Thanhouser, Zich, Max Williams, Mario "Antonio Banderas Jr/Maestro Bruce Capin Jr" Martinez...

Depthwise, it's interesting to note that for the men, there are 12 juniors and 17 seniors who have scored in world cup competition, entering 80 events.

For the women, there are 13 seniors and 14 juniors, entering and scoring in 110 competitions.

Someone with more time than me can do a relative analysis of high placings per events fenced, or something, but I don;t know if a blanket statement that men's sabre is "deeper" can be substantiated by the statistics abroad.

The women's sabre team has a gold and at least one silver (in Moscow recently). Do the men have any yet?

[Mo]

Originally posted by Dalton
Interesting. It seems that I actually provoked so many angry posts by pointing out that US sabre is now a major force on the international scene. Guess this tells a lot about the attitude of US fencing in general. There seems to be even more in-fighting and jelousy there than in many of the major european countries.

Being an outsider, I would have never believed it.

Dalton,
I don't really think this board is a good representation of the opinions of American fencing anyway.
At the meet in San Diego I had the great fortune to see Emily Cross and Jacqueline Leahy fence in their pool bouts. They were both truly amazing foil fencers who I am sure would love to have a team competition for them in the Olympics.
The entire Olympic thing with women's individual saber being added by taking away Women's Team Foil is still a sore spot. There has been consistent apathy over the plight of women sabrists and foil fencers in this country as well as the world.
When you said how strong the US Saber presence has gotten I certainly agreed but when all the boys in here could think about was male results it just shows the usual problems. I know most of the posters in here are young males and don't know why the lack of concern and recognition even surprises me anymore.
The US women are good and getting better all the time. They are for the most part very young with some amazing younger women coming up the ranks.
You are right, they are a force and will continue to be. The more popular fencing becomes in this country the more amazing kids will start showing up in competitions. Hopefully a large number of them will be little female sabrists. It is such an excellent sport for way smart young women.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by Mo
I know most of the posters in here are young males and don't know why the lack of concern and recognition even surprises me anymore.

Hey, I resent the implication that I'm a young male.

No, wait, I wish I RESEMBLE the implication that I'm a young male.

(sez the veteran age fencer)

[Repechage]

It seems to me that the current majority of active participation in the board is gentlemen who fit the category of adult to middle age, with the additional requirement that you have to consider arguing a life sport.

[Inquartata]

Rep, you are just plain WRONG, and I challenge you to PROVE that statement!

[Repechage]

ROTFL

I've had to retire from the life sport--overuse injuries.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

I saw an interesting statistic yesterday from the USFA--over 55% of the membership is UNDER the age of 15.

Go figure. The little people are taking over.

Duck and cover... ,no, wait, climb up on a big chair and cover.

[Purple Fencer]

And parry the low lines REAL good!

[JEC]

Originally posted by Capt. Slo-mo
I saw an interesting statistic yesterday from the USFA--over 55% of the membership is UNDER the age of 15.

Go figure. The little people are taking over.

Duck and cover... ,no, wait, climb up on a big chair and cover.

Well, that should make the USFA rethink how the organization will be able to retain them when they move away and go to college.

[edew]

Not meaning to threadjack this discussion, but the USFA is thinking long and hard about how to retain youth fencers as they age out into the college age and beyond.

Fencing is actually quite better at it than a number of other sports, like soccer and swimming, where the competitive levels drop dramatically after the teenage years.

The Youth Development Committee, which I am somewhat a member of, is thinking of how to keep them in the sport. There are other committees which are thinking of how to keep them after they're no longer youths, and when it's quite clear to the fencer that he or she has very little chance in making the Olympics, say. (In other words, if that goal isn't there, what other goals can USFA provide that will not be pooh-poohed, and is attainable? The Div IA championships is a viable goal, as is the Div II and Div iII championships. Various sectional championships are equally good. But it has to be publicized and properly honored for them to have value.)

[drysabre]

Exceptionally accurate forecast

[SFfencer]

Wow drysabre.

Time to shoot it in the head.

[KD5MDK]

But lots of funny predictions.

[chefencer]

Yes, it does make for interesting reading...like really old newspapers.

*Whistles "As time goes by"...*

[Capt. Slo-mo]

My goodness...I was being a smartass way back in 2003?

At least I'm consistent!

[T]

Originally Posted by edew

Not meaning to threadjack this discussion, but the USFA is thinking long and hard about how to retain youth fencers as they age out into the college age and beyond.

Well, it's been 5 years - they have had a long time to think long and hard. Any decisions been made or programs implemented yet to solve this problem?

[Mo]

Originally Posted by T

Well, it's been 5 years - they have had a long time to think long and hard. Any decisions been made or programs implemented yet to solve this problem?

You can't keep them, they grow up and leave the fencing nest.
Just for your info, the past four years have been hormonal hell. Had I realized what a b i t c h I was I would have had a hysterectomy.
There has been a lot of water under the bridge now. whew....
The Momster

[Welted 24/7]

I was sort of wondering about the inexplicable complaining about how we're all ignoring women's sabre, considering I'd say a quarter of the topics on this board are about how great our women are doing...then I read the timestamps.