The Remise
Item
-
Title
-
The Remise
-
Date
-
April 1940
-
volume
-
5
-
issue
-
2
-
page start
-
4
-
page end
-
5
-
content
-
en
The Remise
From all parts of the country we are receiving discouraging reports about the extreme length of competitions. Such and such a competition started at 10 A.M. and lasted until 7 P.M. without time off for food. Evening competitions last almost until dawn. The length of competitions forced the Fencers Club to pass a rule that no competition in its clubrooms could continue after midnight. The N.Y.A.C. Invitation Foil Contest lasted from 7 P.M. until after 3 A.M., with all kinds of complaints from the Club authorities. The Health Departments of Schools and Colleges are looking upon these Marathon fencing events with rightful disfavor as injurious to the health of their participating boys and girls. There is justifiable reason for action in matters of this kind. It may be flattering to think that fencing has grown so in popularity that entry lists have leaped to new highs. However, this can only act to the sport's disfavor if not controlled. Fencing is, after all, a sport of skill. Stamina should not become its most important factor for victory.
Means are already being taken to hold some of the larger competitions on two evenings. Stricter limits are being placed upon entry. Late arrivals are being more ruthlessly scratched from competition than ever before. Competitions start more promptly and are better organized than was the case a few years ago. The long waits and idle strips between rounds are being reduced. The prompt calling of competitors has been improved.
These various improvements have done much to reduce the wasted time that was much the cause of long drawn-out competitions. One fault remains uncorrected: the voluntary stalling of the competitors themselves. What a group of prima donnas assembles when fencers go into competition! Though each brings a bagful of weapons, one particular weapon is favorite and must be found when all else awaits him. Rosin is never thought of until after the bout has begun. Points are never taped, or eyeglasses wiped well in advance of "En Garde." Throughout each bout, there is stalling for some reason or other. Under the heading of "On Deck" we picture two fencers rushing into last-minute action. There is the French foilsman striving valiantly at the last minute to convert his favorite corkscrew back into a foil blade again. There is the Italian foilsman winding his yards of "spinach." We only hope that he gets it right, for, if not, off it comes for a rewinding.
These are the things which make Bout Committees go gray. These minor delays add up into hours during a season.
Lest the mention of Hans Halberstadt in the Northern California news be overlooked by some non-Californians, we make special notice of him here. Representing the Fecht Club Offenbach 63, Mr. Halberstadt has been one of the leading fencers of Germany for the past 20 years. He competed in two Olympic Games in sabre and epee. He was three times German National Champion in sabre and epee and nine times runner-up in both weapons. Furthermore, he was a member of the Fecht Club Offenbach Team which won the German team title 10 times. He also won many International competitions such as in Cremona, Munich, Vienna, Copenhagen, Gent, Paris, Baden Baden, Nauheim, St. Moritz, Milano and Naples. His medals number approximately 300.
Mr. Halberstadt has joined the A.F.L.A. and intends to compete actively in the Northern California and Pacific Coast competitions. We welcome his continued fencing and trust that through the fellowship of the sword his adjustment to us and our ways will be made easy and pleasant.
—
It has been a great season in New York City this year for defending Champion Teams. The 1939 Team Champions in all three weapons successfully defended their titles. In this same regard and perhaps more unusual was the successful defense of the Washington Square Cup in the Open Epee Team competition.
