Senior Men Elite Epee Series

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Background of the Elite Epee Men’s Series

Following consultation with many of the top GBR Epeeists, it was decided that there was sufficient interest for the Elite Epee Senior Events to commence back in 2010. In the first year we ran only one men’s event in Surrey, which expanded to 2 events in 2012, 3 in 2013/14, and had 9 planned in 2020 all around the country before Covid hit.

With 2020 having only 2 events and 2 planned for 2021, we will be combining the 2020/21 & 22 seasons to get a good number of events for our rankings.

We are planning for 5 or 6 events for 2023, but may be able to expand further depending on available weekends.

The events are being supported by Allstar/Uhlmann UK, BladesBrand UK and OPS Epee Club who will all be helping with the kitting out of the event.. 

Thanks also to The Epee Club for supplying the Elite Epee Senior Men’s Trophy.

Point Race and Grand Final

Following the change of the finances and to keep entry fees low, we will not be having a Grand Final for the Men’s Series, but will keep the points race going.

For 2023 onwards we will no longer be running a Grand Final for our senior events.  This is due to the tightness on costs for competitions in general and the need to keep entry costs to a minimum for our general fencers.  We will keep the points race going as we may be able to have prizes etc for the points race winner.

Points Race – Link

Closing Date/Late entries 

From 2023, entries are being processed through the Sport80 system. The main closing date for all events will be 3 weeks prior to the event date. Entries may still be accepted after initial closing date, with a late entry fee (see sport80), subject to the total entry cap. No entries will generally be accepted in the week preceding any event, but feel free to ask if entry caps have not been reached. 

Format

For 2023 –

Following discussions with British Fencing we will not be able to run the Elite Epee Senior Competitions using the World Cup format for the foreseeable future, as this does not really fit into the BF Weapon Strategy for ranking events.

The change to a traditional event format of one round of Poules (no cut) followed by Direct Elimination supports the changes made within the BF selection policy and ranking scheme, promoting more competition within the ranking scheme and will ensure the Elite Epee Series events will continue to be included as a qualifying ranking event.

Hopefully at some point in the future will be able to run events on a World Cup Basis again with a limited entry (and slight adaptation). Overall entry limited depending on venue size to allow a single wave of poules. Top 16 seeds receive bye direct to L64, with later check-in time (bye must be taken – no opt out). After 1st round (poules of 7 ideally), all fencers are promoted with the top 16 ranked from the poules receiving byes to L64 (17th to 32nd spots in Tableux), the remaining fencers (17th seed onwards from poule round) fight of the Direct Elimination Preliminaries to secure 33rd to 64th spots in the last 64 tableaux, The top 16 seeds will join the event at last 64 stage and direct elimination is run to the final.  If there are insufficient entries for a complete last 64, we reserve the right to adapt format to traditional open format (i.e. all fencer in first round). This choice will be made near the date of any event (usually on entries close date).

Please note – There is no plate competition at these event.

Venues

Address details can be found the events pages and include CLFS in Surrey, Moulton College in Northants, Newcastle Fencing Centre and the Manchester Fencing Centre.

Equipment regulations

All kit must conform to the British Fencing regulations (see www.britishfencing.com). 350N breeches (minimum) and 800 Newton plastrons are required. Weapons will be tested at the event from the first round for weight and travel and cards will be given for failures (and if spare weapons/bodywires are not with you by the piste). All fencers should ensure that the equipment they are wearing fits correctly, with suitable overlap, especially between jackets & breeches. Referees will be specifically requested to ensure this is the case.

Special Rules for this event

‘Double spooling’ may be used at this event if it is needed to speed up change-overs. As such fencers must be attached to the spare spool and ready to get on the piste immediately after the previous fight finishes. Referees will be asked to Yellow card repeat offenders who are delaying the poule.

Entry Priorities

Due to using Sport80 for entries, it is not practical to run a priority for Top 50 rankings, so all fencer will need to enter early to secure their spots.

Byes and Seeding

Seeding for the event is based on the Senior Epee Rankings available on the British Fencing website as of closing date of each event (or the live rankings if there is a technical hitch). Foreign fencers with world rankings in the top 200 of the world rankings will be seeded at closing date by comparing their world ranking to the British fencers and slotting in accordingly.

Minimum Age

All fencers must comply with the current British Fencing regulations for children fencing in adult events. As of January 2018, all fencers must be 13 as of the date of the actual competition taking place.

Finance

The Elite Epee Events are known for running some of the best events in the country. As such entry fees are not as low as some Open events, however we do try to keep our entry fees lower/similar to comparably run events. The entry fee has risen over the last few years, which takes into account increasing costs for Hall Hire, van hire, referees, fuel, as well as the Bf Ranking levy and Sport80 fees and allows the events to keep to the high quality of refereeing/hardware for the events going forward.

For 2023 onwards we plan to be able to pay all referees and organizers approximately £80 for a full day helping to cover expenses etc in attending. Some specialist positions may receive a higher amount.

Withdrawals/Refunds – As we encourage fencers to enter the senior Open events as early as possible, we will offer fencers refunds of their entry fees if they do need to withdraw from the event. However to receive a refund the request to withdraw must occur at least 3 weeks prior to the event in question as otherwise staffing and other costs would have been planned with certain entry numbers and the event risks its financial viability. Refunds will be subject to a £15.00 administration fee to take into account non-reclaimable ranking levy and sport80 fees and an admin charge.

Referees

Following discussions with many of the top fencers at past events, from Autumn 2012 we are planning to mix our experienced referees with some of the development referees who have picked up lots of experience at the Junior Series events. This is due to the difficulty we have had getting a suitable number of more senior referees to attend the events, but also to help these younger referees build up their confidence in refereeing for the future. Please note, only referees that I am confident in will be offered the chance to referee these events.

Prizes

We are delighted to have been presented a trophy by ‘The Epee Club’ which will be presented to the Champion of each event to keep a record of champions for the future. This trophy can be held by the winner until the next event of the series.  Medals will also be presented.

We would like to thank the Epee Club for their generosity towards adding that little extra bit for the event.

Refreshments

Refreshments will be available at some events.  We will confirm in the run up to events what will be available.

Data retention, Publishing of Entry lists and Results online

By entering these competitions you agree for entry lists, results, photographs and videos to be published on our facebook page, website and linked results page (British Fencing etc) and that data (including contact data) can be held by the event organisers to assist in future competition arrangements (including contacting you to inform you of future events).

Photography

The organizers will be arranging for some photography/videoing to occur during the event within the fencing hall. If you do have any issues with your child being included in these photos please contact the organizer prior to the event. Individuals may video/take photographs during the event (no flashes please) and, as events are run in public spaces, it is impossible to ensure videos/photographs will not be shared on social media.  Please see the British Fencing privacy/photography policy for full details.

If the event organiser/welfare officer (or authorised representative of the event organiser/welfare officer) suspects inappropriate photography or filming, the officer/organiser should exercise his/her powers under the conditions to request the person to leave the venue and to surrender any film and/or delete any images relating to the event. Any person present at an event who has any concerns about any images being taken, by any person, should bring them to the attention of the competition organiser or other designated person.

Use of data/images & video

You may provide us with personal data as part of applying for or participating in events or activities.

This may include, but is not limited to, additional contact information, medical information, emergency contact information and images (photographic or video).

Where these activities or events are open to non-members:

• We may additionally collect your name, date of birth, gender, email address, address, contact telephone numbers,

Occasionally, we take photos or videos of fencing activities. We may use these images in commercial materials that we produce, in displays and on our website. We may also make video or webcam recordings for monitoring, evaluation, training and educational purposes.

We also send images to the news media, or our activities/events/competitions may be visited by the media who will take their own photographs or film footage (for example, of a visiting dignitary or other high profile event).  People will often appear in these images.  The news media may use the images in printed publications (including local or national newspapers), on televised news programmes or on their website. They then store them in their archive. They may also syndicate the photos to other media for possible use, either in printed publications, on websites, or both. When we submit photographs and information to the media, we have no control on when, where, if or how they will be used.

If you do not want us to use your image or your child’s image, please let us know.

Personal data may also collected in the event that you are involved in any accidents or disciplinary or safeguarding incidents and any subsequent investigation arising from these.

Elite Epee Events Data Privacy Notice

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding the event, please email me at eliteepeeevents@hotmail.co.uk