Salle Angelo

This is a summary of a recent Veterans survey made by a Salle Angelo fencer for Fencing NZ. It should be of interest to other older fencers regardless of whether they fence visual, electric, or both. 80 names of all those aged 40 and over, with their contact details, were extracted from the Fencing NZ affiliation database. This included fencers who are no longer affiliated. A questionaire was emailed or mailed out to these names and 42 people replied. Of these, 28 would fence as veterans if their preferences are generally accepted.

All numeric values given for the veteran preferences are out of 10 – a ‘perdecage’ rather than a percentage – and in this summary are the national response only. In the full results, the preferences were broken down further into cities (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin) and age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60+).

Equipment questions. Do you have, or would you buy: level 2 equipment? – 6; level 1 equipment? – 5; or neither, using older or lesser equipment? – 3. Notes: More fencers have, or would buy, level 2 equipment. About half the fencers have, or would buy, level 1 equipment. More fencers in the 40-49 age group have, or would buy, level 1 and/or level 2 equipment. While level 2 equipment is required for higher level competitions, fencers who already have level 1 equipment may not want to buy level 2 equipment as well to only enter lower level competitions.

Competition questions. Would you compete at a: higher level with ranking? – 5; middle level with ranking? – 8; lower level without ranking? – 8. Notes: More fencers would compete at middle and lower levels rather than a higher level. The three age groups are about equal in this opinion. While Direct Elimination is required for higher level competitions, some older fencers would prefer sequential pools for lower level competitions. This provides more bouts for those with lower ability.

Travel questions. Would you travel to these central cities to compete: Auckland? – 7; Wellington? – 8; Christchurch? – 8; Dunedin? – 7; an overseas city? – 6. Notes: The further a central city is away in New Zealand, the less a fencer will travel to it to compete. The willingness to travel increases with age. Auckland fencers will travel overseas more than others; Dunedin fencers will travel overseas least.

Alternative question. Are you interested in Veterans/Masters visual fencing with rules prior to the introduction of electric foil? – 6. Notes: About half the fencers are interested in this alternative. While the result is skewed somewhat by Salle Angelo fencers in Dunedin, there is still a significant national response.

Conclusion. One solution for Veterans/Masters fencing in New Zealand is to have two competitive formats that run in parallel, where a fencer can move from one to another. A higher level for the younger and truly competitive fencers would be to FIE rules with level 2 equipment, Direct Elimination and a national veterans ranking. A lower level for older and recreational fencers would have level 1 equipment, sequential pools and no national veterans ranking. The enjoyment of the day would be sufficient.

Seven Salle Angelo fencers assembled at the Botanic Gardens on the 12th of April to fence in the open air. There is a considerable difference between fencing in an enclosed gymnasium as opposed to an outside environment. There is no longer a smooth floor and diffuse illumination from ceiling lights and windows, but a surface that ranges from grass to rough paving, often with strong sunlight and variable winds.

The extra difficulties of a dubious surface for foot movement and the possible glare of sun light in the eyes make fighting with swords a more challenging affair. One can appreciate the effect these factors would have had on a real duel. Wearing a modern fencing mask actually makes it harder to see the opponent’s steel blade through the heavy wire mesh. Another visual problem is that if there is no sunlight, but grey overcast conditions, the opponent’s blade is even harder to see.

However, we chose the best surface available, a paved patio beside the glass green houses, and ensured that the direction of fencing was at right-angles to the direction of sun light. After an hour of fencing free-play, we set out a piste with orange traffic cones and fought a formal pool for another hour. We then retired to the Otago Museum cafeteria for our lunch to the sound of two classic guitars.

Where were you?

The fencing section of the Masters Games was held at the Otago Boys High gymnasium in Dunedin In the first weekend of February – and hailed as a great success especially by those from outside Dunedin. Contestants came from as far away as Auckland and Hamilton and the organisers breathed a sigh of relief when they commented about the efficient organisation and the friendliness of the event. It was great fencing and a lot of good fellowship.

We were a bit ambitious with the programme as we didn’t get to the academic and drawing room fencing as we had planned. On the Saturday we managed to get through the foil events and on the Sunday we completed the sabre and epee competitions. Medals were presented thick and fast.

On the Saturday night the medals clinked and jingled around the dinner table. We had squeezed our way into a small restaurant to commemorate the games and the birthdate of Domenico Angelo with a meal, good company and a moderate amount of good wine. Awards were awarded, acquaintances were re-acquainted and fencing stories retold.

If you’re not there in 2010 you’ll miss a great event – one even better than this year’s