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Title
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Fifth Annual Mardi Gras International Tournament
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Date
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April 1940
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volume
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5
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issue
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2
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pages
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1, 13
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content
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en
FIFTH ANNUAL MARDI GRAS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
This contest, first organized in 1936 for the encouragement and promotion of Southern Fencing, is rapidly attaining a foremost rank among fencing events in this country. One feature of this contest is the series of fine trophies presented annually by the local consuls of foreign countries and by the large, local industrial firms. The Tournament draws a representative registration of fencers from all parts of the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
There were 6 girls and 32 men entered in the two days of competition (February 2nd and 3rd). The prizes and winners were as follows:
Men's Foil
1st Prize — Bronze Medal of France, offered by M. Emile Soulange-Tessier, Consul-General, won by Pearce Schaudies of Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
2nd Prize — Silver Foil of New Orleans Public Service, Inc., won by Karl Hanisch of Vienna, Germany, and Salle de Tuscan, Detroit.
Women's Foil
1st Prize — Gold Foil of Estonia, offered by Mr. Norman O. Pedrick, Hon. Consul, won by Miss Paula Murchison of the Royal Assassins, Ft. Worth, Texas.
2nd Prize — Silver Foil of Zetz Seven-Up Bottling Co., offered by Mr. William Zetzman, won by Miss Antoinette Skinner, Rollins College, Winter Park, Fla.
Épée
1st Prize — Gold Épée of Brazil, offered by Senor P. N. de Abreu, Consul-General, won by William Osis, Grosse Pointe Sword Club, Grosse Pointe, Mich.
2nd Prize — Silver Épée of D. H. Holmes Co., Ltd., won by Alvin Adelman of Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
Sabre
1st Prize — Gold Sabre of Italy, offered by Marquis G. G. Chiavari, Royal Consul-General, won by Karl Hanisch of Vienna, Germany, and Salle de Tuscan, Detroit.
2nd Prize — Silver Sabre of Maison Blanche Co., won by William Osis, Grosse Pointe Sword Club, Grosse Pointe, Mich.
Highlights of the Tournament
Director Meykar had the usual strip troubles this year, although prevented from experimenting with viscous liquids as he did last year. A ground crew with pockets bristling with tools was on hand with more direct methods, and under the command of Chairman Janssen, an engineer in his spare moments from fencing, it pounced immediately upon any strips that showed tendencies of slipping, sliding, or curling.
The judging problem was again with us. Last year's famous "Halt—I abstain" formula was back with only minor improvements. These improvements were still not enough to prevent the explosion of Karl Hanisch in the Foil Finals with that gentleman dedicating his mask to the floor and himself in the general direction of Colorado Springs. William Osis, whose foil technique was probably the best in the tournament, showed diplomatic ability as well and prevailed upon Hanisch to retrieve his mask and his usual good nature.
The Tournament hosts were most gratified to note a steady progress among the Southern fencers despite their lack of professionals and coaches. Their showing against the Northerners was better, their understanding of the sport was deeper, their form and technique improved. The educational value of the Tournament in this connection was especially noted, as compared with last year’s performance.
There was more evidence this year of non-A.F.L.A. members appreciating the advantages of that organization. This was helped by the presence of members of the new Florida Division and of Hanisch and Osis of Michigan. Texas boys did not shy from A.F.L.A. discussions as in the past and lengthy discussions took place on one or two occasions with fencers from Dallas and Fort Worth particularly interested. There is already a plan afoot to substitute the A.F.L.A. rules for the local rules of the Southwestern Fencing League.
The girls were mighty purty. There was one brown-eyed beauty for whose bouts the Bout Committee Chairman dared choose only a married men jury. The blond Paula Murchison remained the cool, precise and distant Diana of last year and repeated her 1939 victory with perfect calm and careful technique.
On Sunday night, after the Tournament, the Salle d’Armes de la Nouvelle Orleans remained filled with fencers and guests for many hours, discussing the events of the past two days and partaking of an apparently inexhaustible supply of wines. The New Orleans’ women fencers were all there and upheld all claims for Southern beauty. The Army was there in full force, especially the 29th Infantry team from Fort Benning, and the Baylor University boys remained as long as they dared before leaving on their 650-mile return trek.
