Mask decals and decoration

[lochinvar]

Originally posted by R. Exnicios
Could you post that letter when you get a chance?

Here's the letter, vertabum.
The original question was about colord socks, but I expanded it to ask about colored uniforms. I've put the passage relevant to masks in red.

Dennis,

My answers are contained in the body of the text:

Dear USFA;

I have several questions concerning the rules governing clothing, specifically the use of color on the jacket/knickers and the mask.

I was told of an instance where a fencer was wearing one blue sock and one red sock at a competition. The fencer's opponent objected to the socks, and the referee made the fencer in question change his socks to white ones because the colored ones constituted an "unfair distraction".

My questions with regard to this incident:

1) Can a director disqualify any part of a fencer's clothing or equipment because of color or pattern?

Only if the clothing fails to conform to the rules. Colored socks are ok.

The rules for the USFA specifically allow colored uniforms (of any description or configuration), including socks and masks, in all non-championship competition.

The fencer of the colored socks was a victim of both he and the referee not knowing the rules.

2) Is there such a criterion as "unfair distraction", and how is it interpreted and applied?

There are no rules against "unfair distraction." Such a notion is nonsense.

I also noted that at the World Cup recently one of the competitors had a mask painted like an angry clown. In looking through the latest rulebook, I noted that it says nothing concerning colors and/or patterns on the mask.

My question:

3) Are there any regulations concerning colors or patterns painted on the mask?

There are no regulations regarding the color or design of the mask.

And finally, I note that the rules require that the color of the body be "white or a light color".

My question:

4) Does this only apply to the torso, or to the entire body, or only to the jacket? Can, for example, a fencer have a white torso but blue or red arms on his jacket? Or another example, can a fencer wear a white
jacket with kelly-green knickers and orange socks?

The rules say the torso. Fencers can, indeed, in FIE competition, have colored socks, arms, mask, etc. The jacket can be pale blue or red, or whatever.

Also note the distinction between USFA Championship and FIE competition, where "white or of a light shade" is required, and regular USFA competition, where there are no restrictions on color or design.

Thank you for your attention to these questions.

Regards,
Dennis P. Nagle

Bill Oliver
FOC

[R. Exnicios]

Thanks for posting Bill's letter. I still stand on the grounds that the FOC can only interpret the rules and not change them. I'm not disagreeing with his interpretation but unless the rules specifically state that you can a bout committee can interpret them differently.

To take this the next step. What if I want to paint words on my uniform? What of those words may offend? What if they are patently offensive? Vulgar? Obscene?

Not to turn this into a law school exam but The USFA rules are poorly written and the referee, boat committee etc. has final word on decisions of fact.

Try this. Put yourself in the position of wanting to exclude a fencer's equipment then start reading through the rules. You do not have to go very far to find enough to issue a card.


Let me put this in prospective. I now have a painted lamee but I have a spare just in case.

Cheers

[pkt]

If you have any questions about the FIE's rullings about coloured uniforms, all you have to do is consult the fotos posted in the 2002 Lisbon WC site:
http://www.fpe.pt/esgrima2002/pcme-021.jpg
http://www.fpe.pt/esgrima2002/pcme-022.jpg

I do believe that most non-FIE level toruneys will allow painted, non-sabre masks. Look at the Leon Paul British Nationals screen-saver, there is a foto of a guy using a spiderman type paint job on his mask.
http://www.leonpaul.com/download/screen_savers.htm

In Canada, the Quebecoises paint the Fleur de lys on the masks with no objection from the CFF.

PK

[lochinvar]

That's all I needed to hear.
Tomorrow I paint a maple leaf on my mask.

(Or maybe a Cross Forme', or a two-headed eagle, or a Scottish lion, or Welsh dragon...)

[I_luv_saber]

Is it just me, or do they kinda need to do an overhaul on the rules? I, personally, have no objection to the painted masks.
What's up with the "unfair" distraction argument! You can paint your mask too, then it'll be fair! In my opinion fencers who try and call that on other fencers just want to win and say, "Why risk losing when I can just get him kicked out...". Deal with it! If a few pretty colors throw your whole fencing game off, your not much of a fencer are you?

[Inquartata]

It's just you.

[downunder]

Originally posted by I_luv_saber
Is it just me, or do they kinda need to do an overhaul on the rules? I, personally, have no objection to the painted masks.
What's up with the "unfair" distraction argument! You can paint your mask too, then it'll be fair! In my opinion fencers who try and call that on other fencers just want to win and say, "Why risk losing when I can just get him kicked out...". Deal with it! If a few pretty colors throw your whole fencing game off, your not much of a fencer are you?

but the publicity code doesn't prevent a design on the mask, so long it is not advertising the seller of the mask

[arcon]

One of my mask has a graphic put on it by the manufactor.
I purchased it at a National event.
I think the the introduction of color in the game is long overdue.

arcon

[I_luv_saber]

Originally posted by Inquartata
It's just you.

I'd just about bet it's not just me.

[Avril Roddam]

When I was in Milano, I went to the 'Camimare' shop. The mother of the lady who runs it was there and she showed me some freshly painted Italian masks. They were so cool! Lions, evil clowns etc.

My coach turned up to a comp in Germany once with a picture painted on his mask and the officials spent ages deciding what to do. Eventually, they asked him to use a different mask, he refused and they got nasty.

I have one of the Leon Paul masks with the plastic panel across the face, so I can't paint mine!

[Lemberg]

I think you can get Carmimari painted masks in North America through Victor Gantsevich in Vancouver. Some of them are really cool. I am pretty sure they were the ones who made Millanoli's famous masks so they know what they are talking about.

[Inquartata]

Originally posted by I_luv_saber
I'd just about bet it's not just me.

Just don't bet with edew.

[I_luv_saber]

Originally posted by Avril Roddam
When I was in Milano, I went to the 'Camimare' shop. The mother of the lady who runs it was there and she showed me some freshly painted Italian masks. They were so cool! Lions, evil clowns etc.

Really? How cool! Tell me if you know if it's possible to order one. Oh, and by the by, how are those plastic shield masks, hmm. I've been wondering if those were any good, they looked cool.