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Fencing Returns to Atlanta! |
United States Summer NationalsFencing returns to Atlanta! The United States Fencing Association will hold the grand finale of its North American Cup series, the Summer National Championships, June 30 - July 9 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta, Ga. Summer Nationals is a carnival of fencing, the grand finale to a year of competition. It is the last competition in the USFA's North American Cup series at which athletes earn points toward Cadet, Junior, Senior, Wheelchair and Veteran National Teams which will compete at their respective World Championships. More than 3400 participants will compete in Atlanta in 95 men's and women's events in the three fencing weapons: foil, epee and saber. Events are held in eight age groups and four skill levels, plus wheelchair and team events. Fencers must qualify to compete at the Summer Nationals. In most cases qualifying is through the USFA Division or Section Championships or based on the national point standings. Divisions refer to the skill ratings of the fencers; Division I and I-A are open to all levels, Division II to those rated "C" and below, Division III to those rated "D" and below. Age group events include Youth-10, Youth-12, Youth-14, Cadet (Under 16), Junior (Under 19), Veteran 40-50, Veteran 50-59, and Veteran 60+. Team events for juniors and seniors will also be held. The centerpiece of the ten days of fencing is the Division I or Elite Open division. This event will be the last domestic team trial for the Senior World Championships, to be held in Turin, Italy, Sept. 30 - Oct. 10, 2006. Multiple Olympians, including Atlanta native and 2004 Olympic Bronze medalist Sada Jacobson, will vie for spots on that team. The Summer National Fencing Championships is one of a grand festival of sporting events to be held at the World Congress Center this June and July. USA Volleyball's largest event, the Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships, will be held there June 28-July 5. And USA Taekwando will hold its own Junior Olympic Championships there July 6-9. All told, more than 10,000 elite athletes will converge on Atlanta over this time. This is not the first time that USFA fencing has come to Atlanta. Most recently, the Division I National Championships were held there in April, 2004 and a season-opening North American Cup event also took place at the GWC in October, 2004. Competition starts Friday, June 30. Fencing begins at 8:30 a.m. each day and will continue through the early evening. Local volunteers will be on hand to provide spectator information. The public is welcome. NOTES Three members of the family will compete in women's saber events in Atlanta:
Oldest Fencer: Most Traveled Fencers: Most Represented State: Largest Event: The Full Schedule of all 95 Events is available for download at: For more information and media credentials, please contact: |