Confirming the use of designated FIE Satellites where performances will count for qualification standards for the 2025 Junior, U23 and Senior major championship events.
As highlighted in June, the new FIE Calendar of Junior and Senior World Cups/Grand Prix events creates affordability challenges for athletes trying to make qualification standards for major events. This resulted in additional nominated events being added to the GBR Calendar in June to allow fencers to plan their season.
The use of satellites to provide more opportunities to meet qualification standards for Juniors and U23s was signposted in the GBR International Selection Approach and the recent Senior Fencer Community Discussion event on 9th August.
In summary, FIE Satellites for the 24-25 season will be used as follows
The three designated FIE Satellites for Juniors and Seniors for the season 2024-2025 are Geneva (Epee), Amsterdam (Foil) and Gand (Sabre).
What does this mean for selection?
It is important to note that anyone who meets the minimum ranking requirements can still request to be entered into any FIE Satellite. However, BF will still run a selection process for Seniors and U23s so that the top 12 ranked athletes don’t have to complete a separate form to receive the Sport80 invitation to accept their place.
Entry process for non-selected athletes
Any athlete that meets the following criteria is eligible to be entered into an FIE Satellite if they wish to (form here):
Irrespective of the entry method (via the ‘selection’ route or entry form) athlete results are treated the same for BF ranking points and qualifying standards (nominated Satellites only). So, if you are a fencer and are not selected, you enter the nominated satellite and achieve a qualifying standard, but it still counts in the same way as for a selected athlete.
GBR Weapon WhatsApp Groups Reminder
As a reminder the GBR Weapon WhatsApp Groups is the mechanism we use to alert fencers to changes (in addition to the Friday email). Given the number of last-minute changes from the EFC and FIE, we strongly recommend anyone wishing to fence internationally for GBR to sign up. These groups are not used for open discussion but to broadcast critical messages.
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