Richard Kruse continues great season form at latest Grand Prix

Richard Kruse was one of five British men to take to the piste in California, at the Long Beach Grand Prix over the weekend.  He got the best result by finishing fifth in the competition.

His world ranking ensured that he had a bye directly to the round of 64 and he went on to beat Lee (KOR) 15-9, Rigin (RUS) 15-9 and Lefort (FRA) 15-7.  He then came up against, Italian Olympic Champion, Daniele Garozzo and lost 15-5.  James-Andrew Davis and Marcus Mepstead fought their way through the preliminary rounds but were eliminated in the round of 64 by Safin (RUS) 15-14 and Choupenitch (CZE) 15-6, respectively.  Ben Peggs narrowly missed out on making the round of 64, falling 15-14 to Auclin (FRA) in the second preliminary knockout fight.  Glen Ostacchini also took part in the event but was unable to qualify through the poule stage.

Timur Safin went on to win the event, beating American world number one, Alex Massialas in the final.  Garozzo shared the bronze medal position with teammate, Giorgio Avola.

Full results here.

Yvonne Chart took part in the women’s event but did not make it through the poule stages.  Lee Kiefer (USA) won her second consecutive Grand Prix at Long Beach.  She beat Marta Martyanova (RUS) in the final as Inna Deriglazova and Arianna Errigo shared bronze.

Full results here.

You can view all matches from the round of 64 in both events on the FIE’s YouTube channel.

Finland hosted a satellite tournament in Turku at the weekend as well.  Kate Daykin came away with the silver medal in the women’s sabre tournament and Emily Ruaux picked up a bronze.  Alexandra Davis and Naomi Lee made the quarterfinals.

Full results here.

Anthony Shek and Jacob Gander Compton made the round of 32 in the men’s event.

Full results here.

Rebecca Wakefield also took part in the women’s epee event but did not make it through the poules.

Full results here.