It was decided that for next season for both South East and Kent closed events the Guidelines issued by the BFA would be followed and the new target for foil would not be operative. Therefore, the bib on any mask need not have a metallic (Lame) covering.

It was further agreed that whilst any fencer who wished to use a new mask with a metallic bib could but they would do so at their own peril in that any hit that was recorded would be classed as a valid hit.

The full text of the BFA guidelines is attached.

Peter Huggins
Chair BFA/England South East Region
Chair Kent County Amateur Fencing Union
21st July 2009.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW FOIL TARGET (INCLUDING PART OF THE BIB) – TIMING FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN COMPETIONS

The following chart shows the proposed introduction dates approved by the Board for the new foil target (ie., including part of the mask) for various categories of competition in the UK, and therefore when fencers in foil competitions will need to be equipped with new or modified masks.

These timings presuppose successful FIE implementation of the introduction for their senior competitions in January 2009.

* Mask update including wire:- retrofit conductive material covering the new valid bib surface on the outside of the bib, kit supplied by equipment suppliers and fitted by the owner of the mask. The fencer will also be required to connect the mask valid target to the conductive jacket by an approved specification mask wire, as per the FIE specification.
Note: The Rules definition of the revised bib to allow for the extended target is as follows (Article m.27.2):-
“The part of the bib that is beneath a horizontal line 1.5 - 2 cm below the chin, must be entirely covered with a material that has the same conductive characteristics as the conductive jacket”.