MUFG, The open had 32 entries. The format at FAP now has more focus on
5-touch pool encounters. The field was split into six pools of five
and six that fenced in two flights. Only the top 16 were promoted to a
second seeding round; two pools of eight for a final DE of 8. I
survived both 50% cuts to seed 7th in the final. Note: 50% is the
maximum number that can be eliminated from one round. It can be done,
but is considered rather harsh. We were treated to two!

I was undefeated in my first pool of five 4/0 +11 with 5-4, 5-3, 5-2,
5-0. This would have put me in a good position in a final of 16, but
this way I got to fence eight more opponents. Unfortunately three of
us in my second round pool were also together in the first round. I
think that they just did not want to fence me again. I beat then both
again and only one other fencer that round. At this point, these pool
bouts looked more like shark tanks. My record was 3 and 4 with -2, #4
in my pool and #7 overall. There were many other fencers with 3 and 4,
so indicators decided the cut and a majority of the placement. My
first DE bout was with #2, Jason Riffitarie from NY a US world team
contender and regular national championship top 30. I started out hard
and fast then backed off as he started to adjust. This guy was tricky,
but he did not have to be because he was also fast as a rifle bullet.
He had me 2-8 by the end of the first period. In the second period he
started coming after me in earnest. Because I was keeping a long
distance he was forced to use long preparations that my response to
was alternating between attack in preparation or lounge repost from a
safe parry distance. That is - when I could make it in time. I made 6
touches to his seven and lost 8-15. I suppose that leaves me at #7.

Being a B1 event the #4 through #2 finishers earn a C-03. I was
looking forward to being a C-02 last year (didn't make it), but I will
start to win again once I deserve to win and I will deserve to win
once I go to competitions prepared to win. And I hope to see
Riffitarie at more of these FAP events.

Cheers!
CLF