COBRA CHALLENGE Super Youth (SYC) and CADET

COBRA CHALLENGE SUPER YOUTH CIRCUIT (SYC) and CADET Proudly hosted by Cobra Fencing Club; Jersey City, NJ; http://www.cobrafencing.com November 28-30, 2014 The Meadowlands Exposition Center (http://www.mecexpo.com) 355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094 ...Easily accessible to all major interstate arteries including New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway ...Minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and Teterboro Jetport ...Only 5 miles from Manhattan ...Regular NJ Transit door-to-door bus from Port Authority NYC, from Hoboken/Jersey City/Union City, and Newark Penn Station to front entrance of the facility ...Free shuttle from Secaucus Junction train station (NJ Transit) to front entrance of facility (http://ezride.org/2-1-3-Schedules/1-1-3-Sched-HarmonMeadow.asp) ...Fully handicapped-accessible ...Complimentary parking – over 6000 free parking spaces ...Hotels within walking distance ...Surrounded by a variety of over 40 restaurants, movie theaters and retail shops ...Harmon Cove Outlet Center only 5 minutes away ================================================================================================================================================================== Book Embassy Suites (adjacent to hotel) by Nov 9 for discounted tournament rate - $159 - (201-864-7300); http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/M/MEANJES-NYF-20141128/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Live tournament seeding and results (during competition): www.cobrafencing.com/results If you are interested in refereeing, email Lisa Campi Sapery at lisasapery@hotmail.com Blue Gauntlet Fencing Gear (www.blue-gauntlet.com) will be on-site for equipment sales. Proprintwear (www.proprintwear.com) will offer event T-shirts and other merchandise https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.752762671426788.1073742018.183020555067672&type=3 READ THE “MORE INFO” SECTION BEFORE E-MAILING WITH QUESTIONS Is your e-mail correct in the FRED system ??? IMPORTANT TOURNAMENT INFORMATION WILL BE COMMUNICATED THROUGH THE FRED E-MAIL SYSTEM. TAKE TIME TO VERIFY THAT YOUR FRED PROFILE CONTAINS AN UP-TO-DATE E-MAIL ADDRESS (LOG IN AND CHECK MYFRED) ================================================================================================================================================================== SYC Regular fee entry deadline: November 9, 2014 Cadet Regular fee entry deadline: November 24, 2014 Open to current USA Fencing competitive members age-eligible to fence, and to foreign fencers with current FIE license or proof of affiliation with their federation or a current USA Fencing competitive membership. Age Eligibility: Y10 – Born 2004-2007 Y12 – Born 2002-2005, or on Y10 NRP List Y14 - Born 2000-2003, or on Youth 12 NRP List Cadet – Born 1998-2001, or on Youth 14 NRP List ================================================================================================================================================================== This SYC is sanctioned by USA Fencing, and proudly hosted by Cobra Fencing Club. SYC serves as qualifying event for the March Youth NAC, 2015 Summer National Championships, and national point standing events for Y10, Y12, and Y14. Cadet events are NOT national qualifiers and points are NOT awarded. Qualification Y10/Y12 to the March and July NACs: Fencers must fence in at least one Regional (RYC) or SYC in the current season to be eligible to enter the same category and weapon at the NACs. Qualification Path to Nationals for Y14 from SYC: Earn Youth 14 points at a current season SYC Points – The SYC competitions will award points to the top 40% of the field regardless of where the cut-off occurs, be it within a pool round or a direct elimination bracket. The competitive field will be based on eligible (current USFA competitive members and confirmed foreign fencers) athletes in the event. Only the best SYC result counts toward point totals on a rolling point basis SYC. Please refer to the Athlete Handbook (http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695205-manuals) for more details on points. Classification Changes - For classifications to be awarded for a youth tournament, the event must meet the criteria of a Group C1 or better. Ratings earned at this event are not official until processed by USFA National office. See classification chart at: http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0034/6264/Classification_Chart.pdf. Ratings posted at askFRED are NOT considered official. ==============================REGISTRATION AND EVENT FEES=============================== Tournament fees must be paid at time of registration (your entry is “incomplete” until payment is made). Fees are based on the guidelines listed below. SYC fees and deadlines are established by USA Fencing. Payment is made via AskFRED. If you need to make any alternate payment arrangements you MUST e-mail the organizer for instructions. SYC EVENT FEES: Until November 9: $40 registration fee plus $30 per event November 10-24: $40 registration fee plus $90 per event November 25-30: $40 registration fee plus $90 per event plus $200 late surcharge. Payment during this period is made at the door with cash, or check payable to "Cobra Fencing Club” No credit cards taken at the door). CADET EVENT FEES: Until November 24: $40 registration fee plus $30 per event November 25-30: $40 registration fee plus $50 per event (Payment during this period is made at the door with cash or check payable to "Cobra Fencing Club"; No credit cards taken at the door). REFUND POLICY 100% refund (less FRED fees) if notified before October 31. Event fee only refunded if notified November 1-24 (registration fee will not be refunded). NO refunds after November 24 – NO exceptions To submit refund request: Notify Steve Kaplan at skaplan@touchtone.net and include a mailing address. Refunds will be processed after conclusion of tournament. TOURNAMENT DAY CHECK-IN REQUIREMENTS Venue opens at 7 a.m. each morning. Fencers are required to check in each day they compete. Fencers are required to have equipment checked (only required once if fencing more than one day) Present to registration desk with: a. Proof of fencing federation membership (USA Fencing, FIE, or foreign federation) card. To print USFA membership card visit: https://www.railstation.org/usfencing/Login.aspx?Redirect=Profile.aspx?returnurl=default.aspx. b. Signed waiver (click "Download waiver"). c. Proof of age (unless previously verified and noted on your membership card). =================================SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ================================== Fencers are prohibited from competing in more than one event per day. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the Bout Committee and Tournament Organizers. Fencing commences shortly after close of check-in. Arrive sufficiently early for equipment check and proper warm up. Venue opens at 7:00 a.m. CLOSE OF CHECK-IN TIMES: We strongly encourage you to arrive at the venue at least 1 hour before close of your event registration. Fencers failing to check-in by the published deadline will be removed from the event and refunds will not be made. Fencers must check-in each day they fence. FRIDAY: Y14 ME 8:00 Cadet MF 8:15 Cadet WE 8:15 Y14 WF 12 noon Cadet MS 12 noon Y10 MF 2:00 Y10 MS 3:15 Y12 WS 3:15 SATURDAY: Y14 MF 8:00 Cadet ME 8:15 Y10 ME 8:15 Cadet WF 12:30 Cadet WS 12:30 Y10 WF 12:30 Y12 WE 2:00 Y14 MS 3:30 SUNDAY Y12 MF 8:00 Y14 WE 8:15 Y10 WE 8:15 Y14 WS 8:30 Y12 WF 12 noon Y12 ME 12 noon Y12 MS 12:30 Y10 WS 3:00 ========================================VENUE======================================== Cobra Fencing Club and Meadowlands Exposition Center are not responsible for any lost or stolen property. The Expo Center/Harmon Meadow complex has something for every member of the family, with a variety of restaurants, movie theaters and retail shops (no sales tax on clothing and shoes), all within walking distance: • Minutes from New York City (door-to-door bus from Port Authority) • Located just off NJ Turnpike • FREE parking for over 6000 cars adjacent to the Expo Center (Decks B and C) • FREE shuttle from Secaucus Junction Train station to the Expo Center via EZ RIDE (http://ezride.org/2-1-3-Schedules/1-1-3-Sched-HarmonMeadow.asp) • Five national hotel chains adjacent to venue within walking distance: Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Hyatt Place, Courtyard by Marriott • Six national hotel chains within a five minute drive: Crowne Plaza Hotel, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Meadowlands, Candlewood Suites • A variety of over 40 restaurants, movie theaters, health club, and retail shops within walking distance. NEAREST AIRPORT: Newark Liberty International (12 miles away) MASS TRANSIT: NJ Transit bus is available directly (door-to-door) from Port Authority Terminal (42nd Street, Manhattan) to the front entrance of the facility (only $3.20 each way). #320 from New York Port Authority # 85 from Hoboken/Jersey City/Union City # 78 from Newark Penn Station (weekdays) For NJ Transit ticket and fare information and current schedules visit www.njtransit.com NJ Transit trains originating from Hoboken Terminal and New York Penn Station stop at Secaucus Junction, an approximately 12 minute taxi ride from the Expo Center. FREE shuttle service is available from Secaucus Junction Train station to the Expo Center via EZ RIDE (http://ezride.org/2-1-3-Schedules/1-1-3-Sched-HarmonMeadow.asp) (www.ezride.org; 201-939-4242) AREA TAXI CABS Secaucus Taxi Service (201) 866-7780; (800) 291-5382 Secaucus Taxi (201) 866-3333 Access Taxi (201) 888-1255 A-1 Express (201) 601-0444 Secaucus Cab (201) 348-4448 ===================================TOURNAMENT ENTRY=================================== • Event eligibility is determined by 2014-15 USA Fencing birth year requirement only (not specific day/month). All entrants' age/point eligibility will be verified prior to the tournament, and any ineligible fencers will be notified and removed from the "who's preregistered" list. Y10 – Born 2004-2007 Y12 – Born 2002-2005, or on Y10 NRP List* Y14- Born 2000-2003, or on Youth 12 NRP List* Cadet – Born 1998-2001, or on Youth 14 NRP List* *Current point standings: http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695476-current-point-standings • A signed waiver of Liability is required (Click “Download Waiver). Note, photography, filming, recording or any other form of media of the athlete during the tournament can be used by the host organization and USA Fencing. Those wishing to opt out of medial coverage must present the waiver to the BC in person. • Current USA Fencing competitive membership, FIE, or other foreign federation membership, required. Note that all memberships expire on July 31st, so if you have not renewed since July 31st you are not a current member. Must present membership card (or proof of membership payment) at check-in. To print your membership card visit: https://www.railstation.org/usfencing/Login.aspx?Redirect=Profile.aspx?returnurl=default.aspx. To join/renew USA Fencing membership visit: http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/698115-individuals. If no proof of membership you must complete and pay for USA Fencing membership. You may join/renew at the door (parent signature required), however arrive with a completed form or plan to come early to complete required paperwork. http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0034/1407/2013-14_Individual_Membership_Form.rev.pdf. Have separate check payable to "USA Fencing" or use your credit card (preferred). USA Fencing is working towards an age verification process. Check your card and if date of birth has been verified it will be indicated on the face of the card. If your DOB has NOT been verified you should come prepared with ONE of the following: 1. A government issued photo ID with date of birth included 2. A copy of birth certificate 3. Passport Prior to the tournament an athlete can submit a copy of their birth certificate or passport to the National Office via email, mail or fax and they will verify the DOB in the database. Once the date of birth has been verified, it is indicated on permanent and temporary membership cards. ==========================================ARMORY=========================================== Armory services available (for fee) ======================================BOUT COMMITTEE====================================== Escrime Management: George Janto (chair), David Sapery, Cheryl Delaney Head Referee: Lisa Campi Sapery (If interested in working as a referee, contact Lisa at Lisacampi@hotmail.com) =====================================EQUIPMENT CHECK===================================== Arrive early to allow time for equipment check. Equipment will be inspected and marked (mask, lame (as appropriate), sabre cuffs, head cords, and body cords). Fencers only need to have their equipment passed once for the duration of the SYC. Names not required on uniforms. =====================================EQUIPMENT VENDOR===================================== Blue Gauntlet Fencing Gear (www.blue-gauntlet.com) will be on-site for equipment sales. Proprintwear (www.proprintwear.com) will offer event T-shirts and other merchandise https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.752762671426788.1073742018.183020555067672&type=3 ============================================FOOD============================================ Food and beverage concessions will be provided by the Expo Center. ===========================================HOTELS=========================================== Five national hotel chains are adjacent or within walking distance: Book Embassy Suites (adjacent to hotel) by Nov 9 for discounted rate - $159 (Mention Cobra Fencing Club, event #15559). http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/M/MEANJES-NYF-20141128/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Holiday Inn: http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/secaucus/hmnnj/hoteldetail Hyatt Place: http://www.hyatt.com/hyatt/index.jsp Courtyard by Marriott: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ewrse-courtyard-secaucus-meadowlands/ Meadowlands River Inn: http://www.meadowlandsriverinn.com/ Six national hotel chains are within a five minute drive: Crowne Plaza Hotel, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Meadowlands, Candlewood Suites ===============================TOURNAMENT FORMAT/RULES=============================== • USA Fencing rules apply. http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695208-rulebook • Equipment check required (mask, lame (as appropriate), sabre cuffs, head cords, and body cords). Armorer will be on-site for repairs (for fee). Fencers only need to have their equipment passed once for the duration of the SYC. • Must have at least two working weapons and two body cords when reporting to the strip. • Full USA Fencing regulation uniform required. Name is NOT required on uniform. Foil mask with conductive bib required. Fencers arm, equip and clothe themselves and fence at their own responsibility and at their own risk. Fencers are responsible for ensuring arrival at the strip with working equipment. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Uniforms (jacket, pants, knee-high socks, fencing glove): Standard fencing uniforms; cannot have any rips, tear, or holes. Warm-up pants or jeans are not allowed. Fencing glove must cover half of the forearm. • Plastrons (underarm protectors): Standard fencing plastron; required with every uniform • Chest Protector: Required for females • Masks: 12K punch test; sewn in bib. Conductive Bib in foil is required. Elastic strap at back of mask is required • Blades: The maximum blade length permitted for Y10 competitions is 32 inches. For Y12 and Y14 competitions, standard blade length of 30-35” permitted. • Weapon Handle: Any attachment to a weapon’s handle must fix the hand in one position such that the top of the thumb is no more than 2 cm from the inner surface of the guard. • Names on Uniforms: Not required at SYCs • Ratings can be awarded, however youth events do not use the E1 or D1 classifications. This means that these events are NR until they achieve C1 level or higher. See USFA ratings chart at: http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0034/6264/Classification_Chart.pdf • SYC Competitions award points to the top 40% of the field regardless of where the cut off occurs, within a pool round of a direct elimination bracket. For example, if there are 17 fencers in an event, 40% of 17 is 6.8. Only the top 6 finishers, not the top 7 finishers, earn points. • Format for all events is one round of pools with 100% promoted to a direct elimination (DE) tableau. Pools: All events will use pools of six or seven whenever possible. In events with fewer than 11 entrants, the BC may elect to have two rounds of pools followed by 100% promoted to a DE (direct elimination) tableau. There is no fence-off for third place. One preliminary round of pools is comprised of the standard 5-touch bout in 3 minutes. 100% then advance to DE round. DE tableau shall be comprised according to the results of the preliminary pool round. Y10 DE format: 10-touch bouts (two periods of 3 minutes, with a one-minute rest between each period). The first period ends either at the expiration of 3 minutes or when the score reaches 5 touches on one side, whichever comes first. During the 1-minute break, ONE PERSON designated by the fencer (team-mate, coach, or parent) may be on the strip with the fencer. Y12 DE format: 15-touch bouts (three 3-minute periods with a one-minute rest between each period). During the 1-minute break, ONE PERSON designated by the fencer (team-mate, coach, or parent) may be on the strip with the fencer. Y14 DE format: 15 touch bouts (three 3-minute periods with a one-minute break between). During the 1-minute break, ONE PERSON designated by the fencer (team-mate, coach, or parent) may be on the strip with the fencer. Cadet DE format: 15 touch bouts (three 3-minute periods with a one-minute break between). During the 1-minute break, ONE PERSON designated by the fencer (team-mate, coach, or parent) may be on the strip with the fencer. • Seeding for SYC pool round is based on the Current National Youth Ranking (as of November 24, 2014) according to age group and weapon, then letter ranking with year classification, then fencers with neither points nor classification. Fencers with equal classifications will be randomized within each classification. Seeding for CADET pool round will use National Cadet ranking within classification, then classification/year. Only ratings and points standings listed on the USA Fencing website will be used (ratings on FRED at not official). It is the fencer's responsibility to ensure that USA Fencing has properly recorded any necessary changes or corrections prior to this date. No classification or affiliation changes will be made at the event. Current ratings: http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/698125-current-membership-listing. Current point standings: http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695476-current-point-standings. • Medals awarded to 8th place. • Fencers are responsible for ensuring accuracy of all posted information and must report errors to the bout committee (BC) immediately. This includes club affiliation, division, classification, date of birth, gender, spelling of name, etc. Errors in posted pool results must be reported to the BC immediately (within 5 minutes). Once DE round starts and tableau is posted, the pool results are final and no adjustments will be made. Check all scores before leaving the strip. Fencer signature on pool sheet and DE slip implies accuracy. • Photography and filming is allowed, however NO flash photography is allowed near ongoing competitions. Withdrawal during tournament: • Withdrawal during pools: The pools must be fenced through the last bout. A fencer who withdraws, or who is excluded, is scratched from the pool, and his results are annulled as if he had not taken part. • Withdrawal during DE: When for whatever reason a fencer cannot fence or cannot complete his bout, his opponent is declared winner of that bout. A fencer who withdraws does not lose his place in the overall classification of the competition. ==============================TOURNAMENT PREPARATION GUIDES============================== These guides have been prepared to help you with understanding fencing and tournaments. Beginner's Tournament Guide http://www.fencing.net/forums/thread44882.html (courtesy of fencing.net) Parents Guide to Fencing: http://www.fencing.net/forums/thread38526.html (courtesy of Fencing.net) USA Fencing Parent Guidebook: http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0034/6319/USA_Fencing_Parent_Guidebook.pdf ================================ABOUT COBRA FENCING CLUB================================= Located at: 629 Grove Street; Jersey City, NJ (www.cobrafencing.com) Steve Kaplan - Club owner/Coach • (U.S. Fencing Coaches Association Fencing Master) • 1976 U.S. Olympic Team Member – Sabre. • 1975 Pan American Games Silver Medalist. • 4 time U.S. National Team Champion. • 1971 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All American – NYU. • Varsity Head Fencing Coach NYU 1980-1986. • Elected to NYU Athletic Hall of Fame 1996. • Founded Cobra Fencing Club in 2002. Demetrios “Mitro” Valsamis – Coach • Under-19 U.S. Foil Champion 1979, 1980. • Cadet Sabre Champion 1976, 1977. • 1983 NCAA Foil Champion – NYU. • Foil Coach at Cobra since 2003. Raskyrie (Ras) Davidson - Coach • 2005, 2006, 2007 United States Junior World Team Member • 2006 World Cadet Saber Bronze Medalist • 2005 Junior Olympics Cadet Saber Champion • 2005 Junior Olympics Junior Saber Champion • 2004 United States National Cadet Saber Champion Cobra Fencing Club is a member of the NJ Division of USA Fencing (http://www.newjerseyfencing.org). Since Cobra’s inception it has sought to foster the development of youth fencing. Cobra club tournaments seek to provide an atmosphere designed to help you become a better competitor, promoting positive competition, sportsmanship, and love of fencing. The 2013-14 youth series averaged 300 fencers in each of our one-day multi-event youth tournaments. Tournaments are staffed with knowledgeable bout committee and experienced referees. Look for our tournaments during the season at www.askfred.net.