Fencing

Fencing has been contested at every modern Olympic games since 1896.  Women's events were added in 1924.  Today, there are three forms of Olympic fencing:  epee, foil, and saber.  Cutting Edge Fencing Center developed a short class for us to be able to experience all three forms.  But first, we had to don our protective gear, including plastic chest plates.

Also known as Xena bras

After learning to hold the equipment and practicing some basic walking techniques, we began with foil.  The foil is a light thrusting weapon, and your target is limited to the torso.  Double touches are not allowed.  We learned to thrust at each other, and to deflect our opponents' attacks.

Next up was saber, which is a light cutting and thrusting weapon.  The target area is anything above the waist, except the back of the head and hands.  Points can only be scored if you have the right of way:  first one competitor attacks, then the other.  For saber we donned jackets and gloves that would give off an electrical signal if a touch was scored.

Finally, we tried out epee.  Like foil, epee is a thrusting weapon, but it is much heavier, and the target area is the entire body.  There is no right of way in epee.  After being able to score a point in saber with a slashing motion, it was harder to only get points in epee for a thrust.  Cutting Edge set up a little mini-tournament for us, and we all found that we favored different events.  Thanks, Cutting Edge.