Tuesday 19 January 2010

Fencing in Copenhagen

Went to Copenhagen for a christening, as you do, and discovered that our suburban hotel was thronged with young men from various countries competing in a World Cup Fencing Tournament. (photo credit International Fencing Federation.) We dropped in but found it a confusing sport to watch. Dancing up and down a long mat (piste) in white breeches, the chaps wore long wires attached to a roller and their jackets pinged if struck by their opponent's sword. This pinging was noisy and somewhat detracted from the elegance of the fighting, but I dare say you get used to it. Exciting stuff in many ways.
Click here if you would like to know more about fencing, lunging thrusting and parrying. (Remember, if this lad wins an Olympic medal, you saw him first on this blog.)

4 comments:

Jenny Beattie said...

Hmmm, I think I rather fancy the men - sort of en masse - that fence.

Is that wrong? Should I have kept quiet?

Susie Vereker said...

Have to admit they were a cheering sight in their fencing gear, JJ.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

My ex-stepfather used to be the national coach for pentathletes in South Africa, and I used to love staying with my mother when they had the athletes staying and training.

Rattling On said...

I had a bash at fencing some years ago. A lot of fun and very strenuous. The get-up is not the most comfortable and takes a bit of getting used to.