I had a great time: it was exhausting, but I learned a lot (new moves, warm-ups, techniques, how to set-up a wheelchair frame), but it wasn't perfect. I know this sounds really petty, but I don't think volunteers should be asked to pay for their food and accommodation, especially those there for over a week). I volunteer a lot and love doing it - I vocally opposed the demands of a small group of referees for pay - but it's not really on to pay quite a lot of money to work 12 hour days at a very prestigious event. Ho hum: the fencing and the cameraderie of the team (and the delightful people of Sheffield) made up for it.
Fantastic flick to shoulder from Avola on Cheremisinov
Ouch. Poor Cheremisinov. Valid hit too.
Into the other men's foil semi-final: Baldini (Italy, left) versus Cassara (Italy, right, parrying)
Baldini claims the hit on Cassara
Baldini misses: Cassara flicks to the shoulder but hits off-target
Baldini's attack off-target: Cassara's flick looks good but may be out of time
Aerial flick to Cassara's shoulder, avoiding the parry
Men's foil final: Cassara (Italy, left). Avola (Italy, right) takes to the skies
Cassara and Avola try to reach round each other.
Avola's attack to wrist would be perfect… if it was an epée match
Cassara can't quite believe what the referee's just said.
The textbooks mystifyingly omit this move from Avola.
Running attack from Cassara
Very athletic lunge from Avola (though Cassara's straight are means he has the line of attack)
It may not be elegant, but Avola's attack lands beautifully.
And the follow-up is rather dramatic.
Giorgio Avola: European Men's Foil Champion 2011
Avola seems pleased.
I'm not there any more, but more photos of the competition are here.
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