Fencing – The Wellington Open 15/05/16

Three years ago this weekend, this would have been my first experience of an open fencing competition. In this case familiarity only breeds greater affection each year and I think this will always be my favourite open being the sentimental soul I am!

In 2015 I was equal third in the Women’s Foil, winning my first medal in fencing. With a larger number of entries this year, in fact almost the same number as the first year I went I set out with an open mind in terms of a repeat achievement.

After what seemed like an endless blur and merging of hotel rooms from Birmingham to Bath and one long, never-ending train journey since the end of March, it almost felt too blissfully easy to wake up at home and pull on my kit, albeit eyes half shut at 5am! Then just over an hour and a half in a car with a few good friends to the venue.

Passing around the promised home-made lemon-drizzle cake – strictly to Truro fencers only! – I plugged into the warm-up play-list through an espresso-induced buzz-haze and began stretching. As usual the weather was absolutely glorious outside so not breaking with tradition, after checking in, I went for a few laps round the outside of the gym hoping I’ve remembered where and how many steps there are!

No arguments with random forgotten steps, I found my way back to the ‘Truro camp’, kitted-up and my checked foils. Putting new tape on a blade, it struck me how everything felt so wonderfully familiar and even the smallest things like knowing exactly where all the doors were and the toilets, changing rooms etc. makes such a huge difference. As well as already having a good idea of how the lighting will affect the level of vision I have on the piste; all these things that can distract my attention from focusing on a competition itself were here, suddenly I realised, with the familiarity a happy irrelevance!

Overall, I won half my fights in each of the two poules which gave me a ‘by’ into the last eight, meaning I had to win my first direct elimination (DE) in order to win a bronze medal. Somehow though, I’d convinced myself, probably as there were more fencers and my mind tends to dissolve at the hint of anything remotely mathematical, that I had to win the second DE for a bronze! In actual fact on reflection, this probably helped my focus in what would be my last DE and final fight of the day.

No advance on bronze this year then, but still another bronze (if initially an ‘oblivious’ medal!) more invaluable experience, and great memories with friends to treasure. See you all next year!

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Birmingham International 26/03/2016

First fencing competition of 2016 and it feels like a lifetime since my last (the Welsh in November) and like yesterday at the same time.
The venue itself was easy enough to find – and no arguments with doors! Fascinatingly, the sports complex is like a maze over two floors!

Unfazed – I’ve begun to find this initial part of a previously un-entered competition almost a calming ‘ritual’ now – I use it as part of the adrenaline-build. The organisers were absolutely fantastic, one of them extremely kindly walked me round the entire venue, showing me all the halls I may be fencing in and giving me time to make all-important landmarks with colours, numbers of steps, counting doors etc.
Playlist firmly plugged into ears in a relatively deserted hall, both myself and a close friend simultaneously warm up. Unspoken language between me not ‘seeing’ and neither of us hearing over headphones, superstitions, rituals and thought processes begin. And of course the dark chocolate, for me at least!

It’s fluent this time, no waiting and before I could think about last minute tape or where the Allen key is I’m plugged in. Weirdly, the first time I’ve not had nerves and actually found myself wanting, needing more adrenaline. Although in some ways an advantage, the measured aggression needed just wouldn’t materialise.

The poules flew – overall, I achieved more in points than the Bristol Open which was a similar level event, but for my personal standards and aims I was pretty unsatisfied with my fencing and determined to give the DE my all. And did!
No medals this time again, but achieving a point more than at Bristol was something to take home. Along with a wealth of experience than can only be gained from doing.

Within 24 hours of being home, I’ve stuck to my promise to myself and between a mixture of the “what an Earth am I doing??!” and the “just do it!” I’ve entered the British National Championships this April and as I waited for the page to load with the foil entries, even just seeing my name there gave me butterflies!

So, next stop, London 16/04/16.

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