Orlando Cruel Duel

Join us for the 2022 Orlando Cruel Duel, Orlando’s only one-touch epee event, open to fencers of all ages, ratings, and genders. Because of its unique format, this event is not sanctioned by the USFA. Therefore, no USFA membership is required to participate and USFA-mandated COVID procedures will not be enforced. Fencers are, however, asked to refrain from entering the tournament or premises, if they are experiencing COVID symptoms, are within five days of having experienced COVID symptoms or receiving a positive COVID test result. Unvaccinated fencers are encouraged to wear a tight-fitting COVID mask. All fencers and spectators are encouraged to maintain appropriate social distancing. Management will refund entry fees paid during preregistration by fencers, who must drop out for health reasons, so long as they notify OFSC by phone, e-mail, or voice mail, prior to the end of registration. Trophies will be awarded for 1st through 3rd place, but no ratings can be earned. The winner will, however earn the title of “Cruelest Duelist in Orlando”, and all attendant bragging rights. Entry is limited to 24 participants. The entry fee is $25.00, payable by cash, check or credit card. Orlando Fencing Sports Center, 4500 Vineland Rd., Orlando, FL 32811 Just northwest of and around the corner from I-4 Exit #78 (Conroy Rd.) The Orlando Cruel Duel will be run in a modified version of the Olympic modern pentathlon epee format. The field will be divided into three pools, from which all fencers will advance to the direct elimination round. In the DE round, the field will once again be divided into three groups, per the following scheme: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 1st seed 2nd seed 3rd seed 4th seed 5th seed 6th seed 7th seed 8th seed 9th seed Etc. The lowest seed in each group must challenge his/her choice of opponent, from within his/her group. If the challenger is victorious in the bout, (s)he assumes the place of the defeated, eliminated opponent. If not, (s)he is eliminated. In either case, the process continues until only one fencer is left from each group. Then, the Group 3 victor challenges his/her choice of opponents. The loser of this bout gets 3rd place. The remaining fencers will then fence a bout for 2nd place and champion. These are the cruel facts of this special format: !. All bouts, except for the final bout of each DE group and the tournament final, may be fenced for a maximum fencing time of one minute. Bouts that go to time end in double defeat. 2. Double touches, in all but the final bout, result in double defeat. 3. The final bout of each DE group and the tournament final have no time limit and double touches do not count. After one minute of bout time has elapsed, spectators are strongly encouraged to jeer and mock the combatants and making chicken noises is allowed. Since a one-touch tournament is an inherently short event, all participants are invited to stay after the tournament for open fencing. Non-participant fencers may join the open fencing for a $10 floor fee.