This is The Way

Just back from San Jose, and very happy to have found my way there at all, given that a few weeks previously I came back from practice with this:

Thank heavens for clever and helpful club mates. RFA's Coach John Tomasi 3-D printed a finger guard to protect the barely healed wound.

Adding yet more tape to the impressive collection that holds my hand together. 

Not that this distinguishes me from all the other ladies holding themselves together with adhesive. 

And yet, despite all our braces and wraps, dents and dings, we all look splendid, IMHO, both in the big picture:

Harriet Eckstein, Vet60WF

And drilling down to details:

Before AND after fencing:

Sharone Huey, Vet 60 WF

While I had limited time for fashion snapping, I did capture a few highlights, including dapper referees:

And snazzy spectators. 

(Points for comprehensive color
coordination including shoes, iPhone case,
headscarf, nails, and hair.)

Spotted on the strip, a smattering of competitors with red lettering on their lames. Many of us (including me) thought the letters had to be blue, but it turns out that, as of 2020, the FIE specifies that "A World Champion has the right to have his/her name and the abbreviation of his/her national federation printed in red. An Olympic Champion has the right to have his/her name and the abbreviation of his/her national federation printed in gold." (m.25.3 h) 

Here's Joe Deucher flaunting the flames he earned by taking gold in Veteran Team Men's Epee alongside teammates Walt Dragonetti, Fred Frank, James Newsome, Jon Normile, and Charlie Schneider.

 

Now Joe's lame lettering matches
his pants :P 

On of the bestest things about vet competitions is the chance to out with friends.

(Note that the AI in the venue correctly
identified Georgie Love, Badger, and
Allison Treloar as "women" 🤣)

Hanging with my Rockville Fencing Academy
ladies. From left: Lynnette Whitt, Badger,
Gemin Channing, Esperanza Alzona.)

That's my report from the January NAC, my friends. Until next time, leaving you with this thought from fellow fashionista Allison Thurman: fence with joy...