On the eve of the NAC

For the first time ever, a North America Cup tournament is taking place in Des Moines. About twenty DMFC members spent the afternoon helping set up the venue for what promises to be a lively little shindig. Eleven of our members will be among the 900-plus athletes converging on Hy-Vee Hall, downtown, for four days of fencing.

Two years ago, when Scott of the Convention and Visitors Bureau first approached Steve with the idea of hosting a NAC, it was at once a thrilling and frightening prospect. We liked the idea of not having to drive twelve hours to get to a NAC, but we wondered whether we were capable of sustaining the effort of hosting such an event. Right now, it's hard to believe that the big day is almost upon us!

Steve and I also had the opportunity to demonstrate fencing today to a group of over 150 children at the Boys and Girls Club in Des Moines. I wish I'd had the sense to get a picture, but I didn't. It was a fun experience. Steve and I bouted foil, epee and sabre in succession; oddly, though we didn't keep score, I think I outpointed him in epee while he trounced me in sabre. The kids seemed to get into it, and were full of questions after the demonstration. It was a delight!

Tomorrow, four DMFC fencers will take the strip: two in Division II women's epee, and two in Division II men's sabre. Also in the works are Cadet men's epee and Division III men's foil. Stay tuned! -- RJL