Ladder Competition

The ladder lists fencers in the Salle from first on the online ladder to last in the order in which the fencer joins the ladder for his or her specific weapon.  From the time the fencer joins, bouts that he or she fences for the ladder result in movement upward (for victories) or downward (for defeats), so that at any given time the ladder shows the relative ranking of all Salle competitive and recreational fencers.

Rules

(1)    The Ladder is an annual competition, running from 1 August through 31 July, based on the fencing year.

(2)    New fencers enter the ladder at the last position.

(3)    Any fencer may challenge up to 3 fencers above them on the ladder.  The fencer who wins or ties the bout takes the place of the losing fencer, and the loser is demoted one place.

(4)    Bouts may be fenced at any time the Salle is open, including by appointment, in practice time during classes, and during open fencing.

(5)    Bouts are for 5 touches (foil, epee, sabre, classical foil), 1 touch (1 touch epee), or 11 touches (three weapon, 5 in foil, 1 in epee, and 5 in sabre).

(6)    Bouts are arranged by challenge.  Challenges are valid for 10 days.  A higher ranked fencer may dare a lower ranked fencer to challenge.

(7)    Inactivity on the ladder for more than 14 days results in a demotion.

(8)    Medals are awarded to First, Second, and Third places, as long as the fencer has fenced at least 12 bouts.  The winner of the Ladder is recognized on a permanent plaque in the Salle.

Ladder Results

The final results of previous year ladder competitions in the Salle.

Online Ladder

Starting in the 2010-2011 fencing year the Ladder uses an Internet based provider of sports ladders.  To join the Ladder:

(1)  Go to the appropriate page:

(2)  Hit the red Sign Up button on the top of the page and follow the instructions to create an account.

(3)  Send Maitre Green (wgreen@sallegreen.com) an email advising that you have joined.

(4)  He will send you an invitation for the specific ladder.

(5)  Go to My Leagues on your membership page

(6)  Accept the invitation, and start to participate.

The Walpurgis Cup Challenge

Walpurgis was a student pictured in the oldest surviving fencing manual, the Tower Manuscript MS I.33, also known as the Walpurgis Fechtbuch, written in Germany in approximately 1300.  Not only was Walpurgis the first fencing student known by name in history pictured in the earliest fencing manual, but she was also the first recorded female fencer.  Therefore it is very fitting that the Salle name a training competition in her honor.

The Walpurgis Cup is awarded to the weapon squad with the highest number of bouts fenced in the Salle Ladder Competition.  A 1 bout penalty is assessed against any ladder for each fencer who signed up for the ladder but did not fight.