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Welsh Open
Nov. 23rd, 2005 11:29 amSo, the Welsh Open.
( Details back here )
All in all, not too bad under the circumstances.
Amusingly, I finished equal 29th with a girl I first met at the Cole Cup last year when we had a warm-up bout. I noticed when the rankings first went up that I appeared to have been on the wrong side of a coin-toss, but didn't think to check who it was against.
This amuses me because although we've never fenced aside from that warm-up, we are now consistently coming close together in competition results and the national rankings, usually one just above the other. We figured we must be evenly matched, and on the day she had the same 2-3 result with equal hit index in the pools that I did, and had to also beat a higher-ranked opponent to end the day with an equal result. What are the odds?
The world being small it turns out that she goes to the same club as an Aussie epeeist who David chats with at competitions.
( Details back here )
All in all, not too bad under the circumstances.
Amusingly, I finished equal 29th with a girl I first met at the Cole Cup last year when we had a warm-up bout. I noticed when the rankings first went up that I appeared to have been on the wrong side of a coin-toss, but didn't think to check who it was against.
This amuses me because although we've never fenced aside from that warm-up, we are now consistently coming close together in competition results and the national rankings, usually one just above the other. We figured we must be evenly matched, and on the day she had the same 2-3 result with equal hit index in the pools that I did, and had to also beat a higher-ranked opponent to end the day with an equal result. What are the odds?
The world being small it turns out that she goes to the same club as an Aussie epeeist who David chats with at competitions.
Fencing Plans
Nov. 18th, 2005 10:03 pmI'm taking a mid-season break from fencing competitions now, but ( here's what is planned for 2006. )
That should keep me busy. At this stage I'm planning a slightly quieter year next year (er, 06-07 season that is) where I'll start working on my coaching again.
But since they don't happen all that often I'm signing up for the coaching course being run by Scottish Fencing in a couple of weeks. With a little luck I'll then be able to register as a coach here and be insured - a potentially useful thing for the club even if I'm not giving private lessons.
That should keep me busy. At this stage I'm planning a slightly quieter year next year (er, 06-07 season that is) where I'll start working on my coaching again.
But since they don't happen all that often I'm signing up for the coaching course being run by Scottish Fencing in a couple of weeks. With a little luck I'll then be able to register as a coach here and be insured - a potentially useful thing for the club even if I'm not giving private lessons.
Leicester Open
Oct. 19th, 2005 03:39 pmFor those not in on UK Fencing gossip, the Leicester Open has had a reputation for being rather badly organised. This is the main reason we put off making a decision on going for so long, before eventually allowing ourselves to be persuaded that under new management it might be better, and hey, it couldn't be worse, right?
( Ha ha. Of course it could )
So I guess the big take home message from this comp for me was that, at this stage, my level of motivation has the single greatest potential to effect my result. Either I have to make myself feel enthusiastic, or not bother booking the hotel.
( Ha ha. Of course it could )
So I guess the big take home message from this comp for me was that, at this stage, my level of motivation has the single greatest potential to effect my result. Either I have to make myself feel enthusiastic, or not bother booking the hotel.
Highland Open
Sep. 29th, 2005 12:54 pm( Analysis cut so as not to bore non-fencers )
Leicester in a couple of weeks, I'll try to get some more serious training in ahead of that... it might happen.
Leicester in a couple of weeks, I'll try to get some more serious training in ahead of that... it might happen.
Bristol Open
Sep. 19th, 2005 12:21 pmBack from Bristol. A fleeting visit, we arrived late Friday night, I fenced Saturday, David fenced Sunday, then we flew home again Sunday evening. There were 78 entries in the women's sabre. Going in I was seeded 38th, after the pools I ranked 34th, finished the day at 40th. Doesn't look so good on paper, but I have a few reasons for considering the trip worthwhile. I also managed to pick up a copy of "The Big Book of Fencing" from the Leon Paul stand, which I've been wanting to get hold of for a few years now so that was an early win.
( Much chatting about my fencing )
( Analysis )
Next is the Highland Open, this weekend in fact. That will be our first repeat comp, if I've really improved in the last year then I should be able to get a better result than last time. We have also decided to go to the Leicester in October to atone for not reaching our full potential at Bristol.
( Much chatting about my fencing )
( Analysis )
Next is the Highland Open, this weekend in fact. That will be our first repeat comp, if I've really improved in the last year then I should be able to get a better result than last time. We have also decided to go to the Leicester in October to atone for not reaching our full potential at Bristol.
The Hamlet Open
Sep. 5th, 2005 02:03 pmWell now, that was an adventure. 83 in the Women's Sabre! And something like 127 in the Men's, I've never seen so many sabreurs all in one place.
( Analysis )
At the start of the day they raised the question of whether they should increase the entry fee in order to provide prize money. Thinking about it after the event, I'd say no. If they charge an extra £5 per person that's fine, price won't stop me coming when it forms such a small part of the overall cost, but spend the extra cash on referees. Knowing that a competition would guarantee that nobody had to referee their own pool would attract me to a comp in a way that prize-money never would.
( Analysis )
At the start of the day they raised the question of whether they should increase the entry fee in order to provide prize money. Thinking about it after the event, I'd say no. If they charge an extra £5 per person that's fine, price won't stop me coming when it forms such a small part of the overall cost, but spend the extra cash on referees. Knowing that a competition would guarantee that nobody had to referee their own pool would attract me to a comp in a way that prize-money never would.
Edinburgh International
Mar. 14th, 2005 12:34 pmOooh, I hurt.
What an awful, nightmarish day I had. Trying to look on the bright side, since I was apparently sleep-walking through the day it has already receded to a vague memory.
( Fencing analysis back here )
We tried to leave early enough to get out of Edinburgh before the rugby match finished, we failed. Got caught in a flood of football fans leaving the ground and just had to sit in the middle of the road for 20 minutes until the traffic managed to start moving forward again.
What an awful, nightmarish day I had. Trying to look on the bright side, since I was apparently sleep-walking through the day it has already receded to a vague memory.
( Fencing analysis back here )
We tried to leave early enough to get out of Edinburgh before the rugby match finished, we failed. Got caught in a flood of football fans leaving the ground and just had to sit in the middle of the road for 20 minutes until the traffic managed to start moving forward again.
Fencing Again
Jan. 9th, 2005 10:00 pmYesterday ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
davidcook and I were in Edinburgh for the Scottish Open. Whose crazy idea was it to hold a competition the weekend after new year?
We got up at 6:30ish in order to leave by 8am(ish) to be sure of getting to the venue between 9 and 9:30 for David's check-in. The weather was rather wild, so we allowed plenty of time.
The day was long. I made it to the top 8, (probably finish 7th, ranked 6th out of the pools but I think I'll be bumped down a place by the DE results, out of 24 entries), so by the time I had changed the finals were going and we stayed to watch. Given that I felt like a zombie earlier in the day, and there were some rather good fencers there, I'm pretty happy with that result. Left at around 7:30pm.
Back at home we showered, made a start on the mountains of washing we'd generated (black wash, light wash, kevlar wash, towel wash ...) and finally had dinner. Collapsed into bed soon after.
( Post-comp synopsis cut so as not to bore non-fencers )
Edinburgh International will be the next comp, in March. That'll be a toughy, being an FIE satellite and all. Must get back to the gym next week.
Today has been spent sleeping, and otherwise doing very little aside from the necessary.
davidcook and I were in Edinburgh for the Scottish Open. Whose crazy idea was it to hold a competition the weekend after new year?We got up at 6:30ish in order to leave by 8am(ish) to be sure of getting to the venue between 9 and 9:30 for David's check-in. The weather was rather wild, so we allowed plenty of time.
The day was long. I made it to the top 8, (probably finish 7th, ranked 6th out of the pools but I think I'll be bumped down a place by the DE results, out of 24 entries), so by the time I had changed the finals were going and we stayed to watch. Given that I felt like a zombie earlier in the day, and there were some rather good fencers there, I'm pretty happy with that result. Left at around 7:30pm.
Back at home we showered, made a start on the mountains of washing we'd generated (black wash, light wash, kevlar wash, towel wash ...) and finally had dinner. Collapsed into bed soon after.
( Post-comp synopsis cut so as not to bore non-fencers )
Edinburgh International will be the next comp, in March. That'll be a toughy, being an FIE satellite and all. Must get back to the gym next week.
Today has been spent sleeping, and otherwise doing very little aside from the necessary.
More Fencing Stuff
Nov. 10th, 2004 12:34 pmHave grabbed davidcook's little competition evaluation meme.
( Cut to save friends from boredom )
Last night I played with iMovie and the little clips of David fencing I took with my digital camera while in Wales. Lousy picture quality of course, but had fun putting a highlights package to boppy music, adding some silly special effects and then scaring David with it during a TV ad break. I still have a long way to go before matching the efforts of my father, but OTOH he does have an actual video camera which probably helps.
A short time later a show came on TV which consisted entirely of little sporting clips set to boppy music. I feel so... unoriginal. (Or possibly smug - "Ha! I can do that!")
davidcook's little competition evaluation meme.( Cut to save friends from boredom )
Last night I played with iMovie and the little clips of David fencing I took with my digital camera while in Wales. Lousy picture quality of course, but had fun putting a highlights package to boppy music, adding some silly special effects and then scaring David with it during a TV ad break. I still have a long way to go before matching the efforts of my father, but OTOH he does have an actual video camera which probably helps.
A short time later a show came on TV which consisted entirely of little sporting clips set to boppy music. I feel so... unoriginal. (Or possibly smug - "Ha! I can do that!")
The Highland Open
Sep. 28th, 2004 08:06 pmOkay, now the fencing. Cut since it won't interest most people.
( My Fencing Stuff )
Meanwhile David made a comeback from his rank of 17 to end up in equal third place - taking home a jar of black cherries in brandy for his efforts. I suspect I'll end up 6th - waiting for the final results to be published. Not bad for the first competition in years, but I would have liked to make the finals. I had a very long run of 5ths and 6ths in the Australian national comps, only once managing to break into the next level. Hopefully I'll do better this time.
( My Fencing Stuff )
Meanwhile David made a comeback from his rank of 17 to end up in equal third place - taking home a jar of black cherries in brandy for his efforts. I suspect I'll end up 6th - waiting for the final results to be published. Not bad for the first competition in years, but I would have liked to make the finals. I had a very long run of 5ths and 6ths in the Australian national comps, only once managing to break into the next level. Hopefully I'll do better this time.
