Eleanor Harvey (Hamilton, ON) continues to show that she is a world force in women’s foil, finishing 7^th and just out of the medal round in the Fencing Grand Prix this past weekend in Turin, Italy.

Harvey overcame numerous challenges to make it to the quarter-finals. Flight delays caused her to miss connections and caused her teammate and fellow traveller Alanna Goldie to miss the opportunity to take part in the event. Due to her world ranking in the top 16, Harvey was able to make it in time as she had a bye to the round of 64 which started on the second day of competition. Harvey’s luggage did not immediately make it either but thankfully arrived in time for the competition.

Harvey’s first bout in the 64’s was against Canadian Kelleigh Ryan (Ottawa, ON) who made it to the main draw following poules and elimination bouts. Harvey defeated Ryan 10-4 and then faced Valentina Cipriani from Italy. It was a very close bout with Harvey coming out on top 8-7! Harvey then defeated Astrid Guyart from France 15-10 in the 16’s to advance to the quarter-finals.

It was an Olympic rematch with Harvey facing world top fencer Arianna Errigo from Italy. While Harvey defeated Errigo 15-11 in Rio, Errigo came out on top this time defeating Harvey 15-12. Harvey finished the event in 7^th place while Errigo went on to take silver after losing to USA’a Lee Kiefer in the final.

Stated Eleanor Harvey following the Turin event, “After a stressful trip to Italy with missed connections, a lost bag, and Alanna not making it here, overall I’m happy with how the Grand Prix went. I lost in top 8 to Errigo, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for her and her fencing. I look forward to competing against her again.”

Canada’s Men’s Saber athletes were in action this past weekend at a World Cup in Gyor, Hungary. Top Canadian was Shaul Gordon (Richmond, BC) who finished 30^th overall out of 183 fencers. Gordon went 4-2 in poules and won both of his direct elimination bouts to make it to the 64’s. He defeated Richard Huebers from Germany, ranked 38^th in the world, a close 15-14 to advance to the 32’s. His day came to an end in the 32’s against Decsi Tamas from Hungary who came away with the victory 15-6. Gordon finished in 30^th place overall.

“It was a great performance for Shaul Gordon in the Individual competition,” stated Men’s Sabre National Coach, Benjamin Manano. “Shaul’s top 32 performance in the start of this Olympic cycle is very encouraging. It is important to see that our young athletes have potential and ambition for the years to come.”

Canada’s Men’s Saber team of Shaul Gordon (Richmond, BC), Fares Arfa (Laval, QC), Pascal Lambert (L’Epiphanie, QC) and Cedric Boutet (Rosemere,QC) lost their bout in the 32’s to a strong Ukrainian team a very close 45-42.

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