First Competition - Info

Arrive at the competition at least 1/2 hour early so as to make your registration deadline. Give you fencing passport to the registrar. Check the registration sheet to ensure that you are registered. Take your mask over to the mask checker. They will test it to make sure that it is safe to use.

Listen for an announcement that your event is about to begin. The announcement will also tell you which piste you will be fencing on. Your event will be split into pools of 5-6 fencers. The fencers are uniformly distributed across the pools so that there is a range from beginner to experienced fencers in each pool.

Each fencer will fence every fencer in the pool. So you should get 4-5 bouts. Each bout goes to 5 points or 3 minutes, which ever is reached first. It is customary to salute your opponent and the presider before and after each bout. And shake the ungloved hands with your opponent at the end of each bout.

The presider will ask you to sign the results of your bout. Ensure that you agree with the outcome (who won) and the points scored before signing. This is where you get the most experience. Have fun and drink lots of water!

The outcome and points scored are used to determine who is paired in the direct elimination rounds. Fencers are pair from high to low. So the fencer with the greatest number of victories fences the fencer with the least number of victories. Listen for the announcement that the direct elimination schedule is posted. Check the schedule to see how you did in the preliminary bouts.

Listen for the announcement calling you and your opponent to which piste number. The bout is longer this time. The points go to 15 or 3 rounds. Each round is 3 minutes with a 1 minute rest in between. Have fun. If you win, listen for an announcement calling you and your new opponent to a piste. If you lose, you are eliminated from the competition but so what. This is where you learn to become a better fencer.

Pick up your passport at the registrars desk. You may need to wait a while since all the fencers in your tier must finish their bouts before your ranking can be determined.