Individual events are over. Now for the team events. Unfortunately all team events fought on a direct elimination basis, based upon team seeding from the individual events. Unfortunate because this means that half the teams have only one match before elimination - a different sort of time tabling would have permitted a round of two or three pools with at least 3 teams, that is 2 teams matches before a DE tableau. This is just an organisational observation for this sort of event which is after all a "Festival Of Youth" experience, not an FIE Championship event.
The palpable camaraderie and friendships that have developed between the fencers from different "countries" is wonderful. Kids at heart and kids at play (well young adults/teenagers actually - please excuse the poetic license), having fun - at the medal ceremonies, kicking balls and balloons around, swapping tee-shirts (NZ white polo tops with black side slash flash are an "in demand" hot ticket item along with the Welsh Dragon Tee-shirts). Hats are a popular fashion item, either funny floppy Welsh dragons or jaunty black felt hats worn at rakish angle "A La Mode" but hats must not be worn on podium for the medal ceremonies. Flag waving and cheering at all occasions is perfectly acceptable.
The spirit of these Championships has definitely gone up a notch or two. Support comes from from all countries, cheering for their new friends, especially if they are the underdog, encouraging and urging each other on. The end results may not be any different but proof that it is not the destination that is important but the journey, and the journey can be fun.
The refereeing has been pretty good. Steve Clarke and Laura Harvey, our referees, have had a pretty long and steady week. Up with the lark for long days - leaving the hotel for the venue as the sun rises and then returning as the sun sets - so not seeing much "real" daylight between. Both have taken the pressure in their stride.
Sue Cowper our roving supporter has also been a great asset to the team. Sue has been able to assist the team "goforing" and shopping, helping members not needing to be out at the venue first thing, to catch the later 9:30 bus to the venue. How she managed to do all the shopping and bring 15 litres of water back to the hotel was a Herculean feat.
Today it rained ... as we left ... heavily ...wow! And it is so much cooler as well. Quite refreshing, or perhaps we are acclimatising.
At the pointy end, today we had Men's Foil and Women's Epee teams, but no Women's Sabre team.
The Men's Foil:
The team ranked 7th out of 8 teams drew Singapore - and having won the toss and taken the top of the score sheet Chris Bell took the team to a 5-3 lead after the first bout. In the second bout the lead was quickly extended to four hits before the Singaporeans were shaken awake - the sleeping dragon when woken is very dangerous - and this one responded. The consistency of the Singaporeans was overpowering. Everyone worked hard to bring the score back, and Hamish Chan was especially noteworthy, his patience and ability to hold his own on attack and defense, going to time, held the score through the middle bouts. But in the end the Singapore fencers proved they were the better team winning 45-29.
The Women's Epee:
The team was seeded 8th out of 8 teams and it was "Mission On" against the eventual Gold Medal all conquering England Team. Losing to England 12-45 was an achievement in itself considering the very strong English lasses went on to beat the silver medal Malaysian Team 45-28.
Day 5, the final day of competition, will have us with a Men's Sabre Team seeded 7th against 2nd seeded Malaysia, and our best medal prospect - the Men's Epee team which is seeded 5th against 4th seeded Wales.
So "In bocca luppa" ... in to the wolf's mouth ... and best wishes from Penang.
Martin, Kate and all the Team and Supporters
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