We finally made it home. A hot shower and I am ready for bed. It was a long day but I had a lot of fun.

Gilbert (Bailey) was an excellent traveling partner. He provided enjoyable conversation and he was very relaxed about the tournament and kept me calm so I didn't get myself worked up to a frenzy even before we arrived in Greensboro.

He had an unpleasant surprise when we arrived: the tournament was for unrated and class E fencers only? I'm not sure I got that right but anyway, Gilbert couldn't fence foil because he has too high of a rating. I felt bad after coming all that way, but I figured, I wouldn't last long so we could leave early! He decided to fence epee instead, since he is not rated in that and did quite well. I'll let him tell his story.

The foil fencers were divided into 2 pools. I won 3 bouts and lost 2 the first round. My first bout was with a woman by the name of Richardson. She teaches at a club in Greensboro... Gilbert said he knew her and had fenced with her a couple of times. Great! My first bout and it had to be with someone very experienced. I was hoping for an 8 or 9 year old. At least I managed to hold my own, losing 4-5 at the end. The 2nd pool was harder and seemed to have more advanced fencers.....or else I was getting tired! I won 1 and lost 4. I was #9 in the direct elimination out of 16 and I fenced my first bout with #8...a high school girl from Greensboro. I won that bout and went on to fence........(who else but) Ms Richardson again, who was the #1 seed. Needless to say, I didn't make it to the next level, but still managed to score a couple of points. She ended up with 2nd place overall so I didn't feel TOO bad.

Gilbert was a great help as coach for me when he had time between bouts. Again, he was so lighthearted about the whole thing that about half-way through I actually stopped being nervous....my stomach stopped fluttering and I started to enjoy myself. Interestingly enough, Peter, most of the touches I scored were with straight attacks...advance lunges and
just advances...timing IS everything. (Where have I heard that before?) Whenever I tried to get fancy I screwed it up. Gilbert also told me this gem: "Don't plan your moves". I was mentally rehearsing my attack plan at the beginning of each bout and of course, that opponent just didn't seem to want to step into my carefully laid traps. When I gave that up, my fencing improved tremendously.

One of the time keepers stopped me between bouts and asked me where I was from. I told her Touche in Gastonia. She asked who my coach was and I told her "Peter Zay". Her face lit up with a smile and she said, "I knew
it! You have very nice form and movement. That's from Peter. He has wonderful style." That compliment was from Dr. Sally Robinson. She said she took a coaching class with you in Denver a couple of years ago. She began to help me, too, which was wonderful. She reiterated most of the things you have told me in lessons...so it all continues to sink in, rattle
around, and hopefully is taking root somewhere in my brain (where it might be retrieved at an opportune time..like when I'm losing a bout). She remarked that I did the best when I relaxed and let the opponent come to me...zap...straight attack, or parry 4 and riposte. However, my riposte continues to be an afterthought and this did lose me some points today. She
said I had a nice lunge and should use it often. So there you are! When a teacher's style can be recognized in a student, that's quite a compliment, Peter, even if I am only a beginner. I...HAVE...S..T..Y..L..E. (Imagine me here, dancing around the room doing the rhumba) I'll try not to let my head get too big it won't fit into my mask! <snort>

I did witness some rather creative fencing today. I thought my "windshield wiper" parries were bad! Lots of stamping feet and attempted balestras.

The 15 touch bout was with a lefty. Thank heavens for Gilbert who coached me at the 1 minute interval. I couldn't get around her and was down several points until he and Sally told me to go straight in a simple attack. I did and came out ahead. I may have to take Gilbert with me to any other tournaments I fence in. He just might be my lucky penny.
I was able to judge quite a few of the bouts including the final 4,2, and final bout. It really does help me to see where the touches are made and why they are successful when I watch from the sidelines and don't have to face the opponent.
Well, so much for my "note" about the tournament. I did have a great time and enjoyed myself.
AND I didn't hurt myself, which is always appreciated at my age.....although Sally said she took up epee at age 53, so I guess I'm not too old yet.

See you on Wednesday.

Charlotte

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Charlotte M. Wise, MD
A Woman's Health Source
1343-A East Garrison Blvd. EMAIL: cmwise@mindspring.com
Gastonia, NC 28054
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