Part One of the National Fencing Circuit, 2009

Robin and I flew to Canberra last week for AFF #1 (Australian Fencing Federation Event #1). Robin was in the men's sabre on the Saturday, and I was in the women's sabre on the Sunday. It was held at the Australian Institue of Sport.


We actually arrived into Canberra on Thursday night, grabbed the hire car and checked into our hotel on the main strip, Northbourne Avenue. We had a room on the third floor with views onto a majestic park. On Friday morning, we could see the hot air balloons floating past, all colours and designs. Apparently, April is the time of year for ballooning in Canberra.

We spent most of Friday and Sunday afternoon exploring, checking out the main attractions like...

The Telstra Tower

The Australian Institue of Sport

The Australian War Memorial

Parliament House

... and going to the Canberra Motorcycle Centre in Fyshwick to pick up a bargain Alpinestars motorcycle jacket.

It was Robin's first National event and he came 18th out of 18 fencers and was pretty disappointed but he got heaps of tips and information from the referees and other fencers and at the end of it all, was glad to have fenced amongst the nation's best.


I had some better luck in the women's sabre. I had a great poule of 5 fencers, most of which were top-eight material. I came back from 2-0 down to win one of my bouts 5-3 against Samantha Auty, who eventually finished seventh. The rest I lost 5-2, 5-2, 5-3.

For me, the best part of the event was being able to fence all four of my poule bouts and one direct elimination on the finals piste. What an awesome feeling!

The complete results are here: http://www.ausfencingevents.org/2009dhmck/index.htm