Tournament Results 2003-2004 Season

Spokane Icicle Open - Jan 24, 2004
The Icicle Open turned out to be very aptly named--it snowed six inches the morning of the competition and caused delays for everyone traveling to Spokane for the competition. Driving west on I-90, only one lane was open through Coeur d'Alene to the state line.

Unfortunately, the cold and the weather made this tournament one of the most sparsely attended Spokane event in recent memory. Still, a few fine competitive moment arose, especially in the semis of Foil and the final of Epee.

In Foil, newcomer Byron Wong of the University of Idaho duked it out with Spokane member Andy Wilson in one of the semi-finals. Byron, who learned to fence in Hong Kong before moving to Idaho on an exchange program, dazzled with his athleticism and highly modern style: leaping, crouching, and raining down flicks. Often the action took place at the very end of the stip on Byron's side with long phrases of bladework punctuated by an exultant shout. However, either due to an uncooperating weapon or some other deficiency, many of Byron's flicks landed flat, and it was Andy's precise, needlework foil style that proved victorious. Andy went on to win the final bout against Tri-Cities fencer Edward Gonsalves. Andy earned an E2004 for his efforts.

Coeur d'Escrime member Noah Buntain opted out of the Foil competition and joined the tournament in Saber. With only five competitors, Saber was finished in an eye-blink. Noah went 4-0 in the pools and then defeated Washington State fencer Nick Lee in the semi-final and Andy Wilson in the final to earn his first place finish. As the five entries fellow below the six required for a rated event, there were no ratings handed out in the Saber competition.

Noah also fenced in the subsequent Epee competition. He went 1-3 in the pools which, unfortunately, seeded him 7th out of nine fencers. The low seed paired him with highly rated Veteran fencer Maria Duthie of Spokane in the Direct Elimination table. Noah took the opportunity to learn as much as he could, pressing and challenging Maria's excellent distance and blade control. Maria's superior defense carried the bout, however, and she won 15-12.

Maria went on to fence iron man Andy Wilson in the finals. Andy, showing his pure mettle (and proving that skills in one weapon definitely transfer to the others) kept on the pressure, eventually overcoming Maria's defenses. Andy earned another 1st place finish and another E2004 rating. "Now, why can't I do this well down in Tri-Cities?" Andy exclaimed after his victory, referring to the gift certificates given to the medal-winners at Tri-Cities tournaments.

Though cold and blustery, the Icicle Open provided the initial competitive spark for 2004 and helped the competitors shake off their winter rust in anticipation for round of spring tournaments.