FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Fencing

Nov 1, 2010
2010 / November 2010

Whenever we engage in conversation, we fence, using words instead of weapons. We parry awkward questions and respond with ripostes.

By the same token, whenever two fencers fight, they converse. The clash of the blades is known as a “conversation.” Every attack is effectively a question. Every defensive move is an answer.

Our lives are underpinned by combative instinct. Talking or fighting, we employ reflexes as old as humanity. Both activities have been refined over millennia, modified by the rules of grammar and honor. But stripped to the basics, talking is a form of fighting, and fighting is a form of talking.

In Renaissance Europe, words and swords were elevated to new heights of cultural significance. Poets and playwrights crafted work that resonates to this day, while sword fighting ceased to be primarily a function of war and became a popular leisure activity for the gentry. Rules were drawn up and buttons were added to the tips of the swords to render them relatively harmless.

The term “fencing” evolved from the word “defense,” and for young European men it was more than a sport: It was a vital survival skill, either on the battlefield or in the formal duels that were the favored method of settling quarrels when words alone were not enough.

Firearms eventually replaced swords as the weapons of choice for battle or personal disputes, but the tradition of swordsmanship endured. Fencing was inevitably included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and is one of only five sports to have featured in every subsequent Olympics. (In 1924, the Hungarian and Italian teams became embroiled in a row that led to the buttons being removed from their swords and duels being fought. Fortunately, honor was satisfied without anyone being killed.)

In modern fencing, there are three disciplines, each employing different weapons and specialized techniques. Top fencers tend to dedicate themselves to one particular fencing discipline rather than attempting to master all three.

The foil is the lightest weapon, and only the opponent’s torso is deemed to be a scoring area. The épée is directly related to the traditional dueling sword, and the whole body is in play, though only a hit with the tip of the blade scores points. The saber, which is primarily a slashing weapon, evolved from the cavalry sword — the entire blade can be used to strike all parts of the opponent’s body from the waist up.

The seemingly absurd fencing garb — resembling a white romper suit, topped with a metallic, fine-mesh mask — is essential for protection. Prior to electronic scoring, sword tips were dipped in soot, and scoring was determined by the soot marks on the white uniforms of each fencer. Today, competitors are wired directly to a computer, and each scoring hit registers automatically.

Bouts take place on a long, narrow platform known as the piste. Fencers are penalized if they stray from the fighting area. A fencing match consists of three three-minute bouts separated by a minute of rest. The first fencer to reach 15 points wins. If the contest goes the distance, the competitor with the highest points tally is awarded victory.

Despite its long pedigree, fencing is never likely to become a mainstream modern sport. The specialized clothing and equipment can be prohibitively expensive, and a considerable amount of training is required to reach a competitive standard.

Yet whether we are aware of it or not, we fence every day; and when, in the course of repartee, we are skewered by someone’s rapier wit, we inevitably respond with a fencing term: Touché.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Nov 13, 2024

Discover the Birthplace of Cacao in Ecuador

Chocolate is made from cacao beans and Ecuador, the birthplace of cacao, has long been a significant player in the world of chocolate. Although historians once believed cacao was first used by Mesoamerican cultures, more recent studies from scientists around the world confirmed the cacao bean was first cultivated by indigenous tribes in what is now Ecuador.

Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever

Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.

November 2024
Nov 13, 2024

Drink It All in During a Stay at Hotel Manapany on Swanky St.-Barth

Vacationers travel to the posh island of St.-Barth for its ritzy shops, tucked-away local beaches and elevated cuisine melding classic French technique with flavorful Caribbean ingredients. Guests staying at Hôtel Manapany, an eco-focused boutique property on picturesque Anse des Cayes beach, can also sip their way through beverages that showcase these two distinct yet remarkably harmonious cultures.

November 2024
Nov 13, 2024

İstanbul Magically Integrates Past and Present, East and West

The breathtaking Bosporus Strait divides Europe and Asia in İstanbul, the former capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires, a city where trade has been intrinsic to the global bridge since the advent of the Silk Road and the Spice Route.

Pick Your Paradise: Experience Bali at 3 Incredible Hotels

Bali is a name synonymous with island bliss. But there is more than just one side to this incredible place. Get a sense for the variety of experiences Bali offers by learning about three hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with distinctive opportunities for adventure and relaxation. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, earn points for free nights at each of these properties.

eFlyer Reviews
Nov 13, 2024

Hard Rock Hotel Marbella Review

Hard Rock Hotel Marbella brings the iconic brand’s mix of music-inspired glamor and the relaxed sophistication of Spain’s Costa del Sol. Just a short walk from Puerto Banús Marina, this lifestyle hotel stands out with real personality in an area already known for lavish resorts.

eFlyer Deals
Nov 13, 2024

Snag Black Friday Deals at 2 San Diego Hotels

San Diego embraces Black Friday with exclusive deals at two popular upscale hotels. At Kona Kai San Diego, on the tip of the city’s Shelter Island, guests who book between Nov. 28 and Dec. 3 can receive either a refundable up to 25 percent off or up to a 30 percent non-refundable discount on the best available room rate.

Royal Air Maroc Relaunches Direct Casablanca–Beijing Route, Debuts Toronto Flight

As part of its international network expansion, Royal Air Maroc will reinstate the direct Casablanca–Beijing route initially launched in January 2020 and suspended just a few weeks later due to the health crisis.

eFlyer Lead
Nov 13, 2024

World’s Longest Flight to Receive Brand-New First-Class Cabin

Singapore Airlines is set to give its first-class cabins on its fleet of long-haul and ultra-long-haul Airbus A350 jets a major upgrade. These planes, operating the world’s longest flight from Singapore (SIN) to both Newark (EWR) and New York (JFK) at just less than 19 hours, will unveil its brand-new first-class cabins in 2026.