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(800) FENCING Blade Fencing EqUipment 212 W. 15th Street, New York, NY 10011 • (800) 828-5661 The United States Fencing Association Member Services Directory The United States Fencing Association is the national governing body for the sport of fencing in the United States. The USFA is affiliated with the Federation Internationale 2 The Pres'S Column d'Escrime, the international federation for fencing. The mission Pre:~ident Alperstein aims to recognize individuals of the United States Fencing Association is to develop fencers and organizations who make a difference at the to achieve international success and to administer and promote Summer National Championships in Texas. the sport in the United States. The United States Fencing Association 4 1 Championships Behind the exhilarating bronze-medal performance Phone: (719) 578-4511 oj' Iris Zimmermann, America's Women's Foil Team Fax: (719) 632-573 7 E-mail: [email protected] reached its goal or qualifying for the 2000 Olympics. Web: http://www.usfencing.org 12 Faces Fencing: President Donald W. Alperstein A Discussion with Dave Micahnik Vice President Edwin (Buzz) Hurst Coach Dave Micahnik shares his thoughts on the Vice President Sherry Posthumus athletes, rules, and future of American fencing. Vice President Ralph Zimmerman Secretary Michael Sullivan 15 USFA Developmental Grant Fund Treasurer Bob Prifrel The Association announces the appropriation of $] 0,000 in cash grants and fee waivers. American Fencing Dedicated to the Memory of: 'j 7 A Psychophysiological .Jose R. DeCapriles 1912-1969 of Fencing Miquel A. DeCapriles 1906-1981 Investigators at the Mayo Clinic Sports Interim Editor: Mcdicine Center examine the mind-body Michael Sullivan - [email protected] relationship in fencing. Associate Editors: Chris Cuddy - Advertising Sales 2 '1 The Fencing Master Karen Mittelstadt - Layout and Design Author Arturo Perez-Reverte shares an excerpt Editors Emeritus: from his book, The Fencing Master. Mary Huddleson, Emily Johnson, Albcrt Axelrod, Candi McConaugha 24 Technical Talks Please send all correspondence and articles for submission to Joe Byrnes shares his thoughts on the staple Editor, American Fencing, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado of his fencing tool belt, the multi-tool. Springs, CO 80909-5774. American FenCing publishes quarterly in January, April, July, and October. Please contact Photo Credit the editor regarding submission deadlines. Please contact Chris Cover photos by Carl Borack. Cuddy at (719) 578-4511 regarding advertising. Cover design by Richard Stern. American Fencing CISSN 0002-8436) is published quarterly by the United States Fencing Association, Inc., One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909-5774. Periodicals postage paid at Colorado Springs, CO 80909-5774, and additional offices. Subscriptions to American Fencing are included with membership in thc association. Individuals can subscribe for $16 in the United States and $28 elsewhere. Postmaster: Send address changes to USFA, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909-5774. ©2000 United States Fencing Association. All rights reserved. tl Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission 1II111111i1i1lil!!i_____ .J S prohibited. 1 The President's Column by Donald W. Alperstein ften during my years penning Certainly therc are referees, armor­ spect. In a community such as ours, this column have I commented ers, division officers, and parents whose there is no greater reward. O on the debt we owe those whose stories would encourage others, if only And speaking of recognition, lct me efforts make a differencc. In a volun­ their unsung efforts were widcr known. take a moment to congratulate our in­ teer organization, indeed, in lifc, noth­ I-low about a coach who builds charac­ ternational fenccrs for their outstanding ing has more meaning than recognition ter off the strip, or a club that dcmands recent performances. When I began and appreciation. Next July, at the Sum­ academic achievement as well as tech­ writing this column in 1996, I was elated mer National Championships in Austin, nical accomplishment? Maybc a rcader to acknowledge international results that Texas, we have an opportunity to rec­ knows of a disadvantaged fencer whose today sccm routine. Wc've come a long ognize individuals and organizations courage or determination motivates way. While we used to view World Cup who make a difference and to thank them those around her, or someone whose finals as a major accomplishment, we for their generous gifts of time, energy, sportsmanship engenders spccial re­ now tout medalists. And major victo­ and support. Every mcmber of the spect. These kinds of people, who find ries at that. USFA has a chance to nominate some­ myriad ways to make a difference, are At this year's Junior and Cadet World one to receivc a public expression of our the ones we want to acknowledge. We Championships, Jessica Burke, G. Colin gratitude. know they are out there; we just don't Parker, and the junior mcn's epee team Austin will see the inauguration of know who they arc or all of they ways (Weston Kelsey, Soren Thompson, and what I hope will become a USFA tradi­ in which they benefit our community. Jan Viviani) all won medals. Andrea tion. All fenccrs and their families are I am therefore challenging all mem­ Ament won two. Five medals at a World invited to a banquet wherc we will honor bers ofthe fencing family help us iden­ Championships was unprecedented for people and organizations who make spe­ tify people and organizations that dc­ this county, and that was only the be­ cial contributions to our sport. The serve our thanks. Help us bring their gml1lng. evening's program already includes the contributions to light, not only so that Not to be outdone by their youthful induction of new members to fencing's they will know of our appreciation, but counterparts, our vetcrans earned an­ Hall of Fame, the announcement of our that by doing so we may see them as other five medals at thcir World Cham­ developmental and elite coaches of the examples of selfless excellence to in­ pionships in August. Mary Anna vedder, year, and the introduction of our out­ spire us all. If any readcr of this col­ Alexander Kovacs, Larry Pinkus, Dr. standing athletes for 2000. Club Devel­ umn knows of a person or an organiza- Calvert Schlick, Jr., and Ray Sexton opment Grants for next sea- tion that deserves a special brought home hardware. Ray's was son will also be awarded. and public expression of gold. I want to include among the "I am therefore thanks, I urge you to share Then camc a couple more ground­ honorees other essential challenging all that information with us. brcaking events. Cliff Bayer became the members of our commu­ members of the Nominations for rec­ first U.S. fencer to win a World Cup nity, but we need the mem­ fencing family - ognition should include the when he took the podium at the S1. Pe­ bership to help identify help us identify name of the nominee and tersburg Men's Foil. And in early No­ those who merit recogni­ that of the person making vember, Iris Zimmermann climbed on people and tion. the suggestion, together the victory stand to accept this country's Each of us knows organizations with contact information first-evcr Senior World Championship people without whom fenc­ that deserve for both. We also nced to medal. Days later, she and her compa­ ing would be diminished. our thanks." know why the nominee triots on the women's foil team (Ann Whcther through a particu­ merits special recognition. Marsh, Erinn Smart and Felicia lar act of sportsmanship, a distinguished Nominations can be sent bye-mail to Zimmermann) guaranteed the United career, tireless administrative work, or [email protected], with a copy States would be represented in Sydney in other ways these individuals and pro­ to me at [email protected], or by mail to when their seventh-place finish qualified grams have touched the livcs of fencers Suggestions, United States Fcncing As­ the team for the Olympic Games. and made them better. Ironically, these sociation, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado The strides made by our representa­ important people are often unknown to Springs, CO 80909-5774, with a copy tives in world competition have elevated most of us because they work not for to me at the same address. the United States from internationally ir­ acknowledgment or renown, but for love You can also recognize these special relevant to a respected contender. These of the sport, to support a child, or sim­ people in person. I urge everyone who fencers have earned the respect of their ply for the satisfaction of making a con­ comes to the fencing party in Austin to foreign opponents. Let us at home in tribution.