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Post by schlager7 on Feb 10, 2010 0:28:14 GMT -6
Visor Masks Bannedfrom the USFA websiteFebruary 09, 2010 Visor Mask as tested by FIE Effective Immediately! Visor masks will no longer be allowed at USFA competitions for Epee and Foil This is a safety decision precipitated by a release from the FIE earlier today. This is effective as of 9 February 2010, and will be enforced at the Junior Olympic Championships this weekend in Memphis.
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Post by schlager7 on Feb 10, 2010 8:16:03 GMT -6
The FIE Letter of 8 February 2010:The FIE Executive Committee took the following urgent decisions at its meeting of February 6, 2010 in Lausanne: a) Transparent masks Further to the urgent letter 15-09, the FIE has received the conclusions (attached) of the Sabic Innovative Plastic lab (NED), relative to the mask damaged in Odense. This lab points out two major facts: - the analysed visor presents stresses linked to its making (injection moulding, instead of hot bend and cold setting recommended by the FIE); stress marks clearly appear at the plastic injection juncture points; - due to the lack of protection coating against deterioration and scratches, the visor presented several significant scratches. And moreover, some manufacturing standards imposed by the FIE Equipment Rules have not been completely adhered to. Therefore, the Executive Committee has decided to suspend and forbid, until further notice, the use of the transparent visor mask both in foil and epee, at all FIE official competitions. The FIE will set up a working group (SEMI Commission, manufacturers, specialised institute) whose objectives will be the following: - reinforce the standards imposed by the FIE Rules (i.e. make mandatory what was recommended or optional); - establish systematic verification processes during the equipment control; - enlarge the security standards. Conclusions of the LaboratoryNews Story on Fencing Net
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Post by schlager7 on Feb 10, 2010 8:31:56 GMT -6
Statement from Leon Paul.
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This weekend following the receipt of a technical report regarding the failure of a Ulhmann transparent mask at the Junior European Championships the F.I.E. have temporarily suspended their use at its competitions for foil and epee. Leon Paul have reviewed all the technical evidence and the reports from the independent technical advisor who tested the mask that failed and two other independant experts. All of this confirms our continued belief that a mask that is made according to the FIE rules that incorporates in its design all of the features that are suggested in the FIE rules is perfectly safe provided it is used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
It is essential that the mask is:
Made with a visor made from Lexan not a generic polycarbonate.
Made with a drape formed rather than injection molded visor.
Made in such a way that the visor when inserted is not stressed or bent out of its natural shape and or the fixing mechanism cannot be over tightened. .
Made in such a way that there are no sharp edges in contact with the main visor.
Made with a coated visor to help protect it.
It is also essential that the visor has an outer layer to protect it from scratches. The use of an outer protective scratch layer is advised in the FIE rules and European standards rather than mandatory and we have said for a long time that it should be mandatory.
We stand by our product and assure all of our customers that Leon Paul visor masks include all of the features noted above.
Barry Paul M.D. Leon Paul
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Post by MTD on Feb 10, 2010 12:27:18 GMT -6
For reference, the documentation indicating that the USFA (as contrasted with the FIE) has banned foil and épée use of visor masks is: usfencing.org/news/2010/02/09/visor-mask-banned/31642?ngb_id=19I suspect this will turn out to be a decision of the USFA Executive Committee, likely to be ratified by the Board of Directors during their Memphis meeting. Note also that, inasmuch as the USFA seems to be following FIE actions, and the FIE seems not to have committed to a permanent ban (but rather a temporary ban, with reason to believe that there may be future regulatory changes which would restore confidence in the use of visor masks), it is quite possible we'll see visor masks allowed for USFA foil and épée competition again. However, there's no telling how many already-manufactored, and already-bought masks, or how many visors already installed in them, might fail to meet new requirements.
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nemo
Blademaster
mobilis in mobili
Posts: 729
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Post by nemo on Feb 10, 2010 13:13:28 GMT -6
All I know is that photo is the type to give me cold sweats. Yoiks!
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