The FIE has published an updated material rules (dated September 2021) which feature several changes to the equipment regulations.
Fencing New Zealand has accepted the Officiating Commission’s recommendations for the following changes
- 2.1 - At all three weapons, the use of maraging steel blades is obligatory.
This will be adopted at New Zealand national events from 1/1/2024, allowing for two full calendar years for fencers to upgrade their equipment. Note: this rule change affects Sabre only.
- 18.3 - The socket inside the epee guard must have two separate holes in the block, so that the two wires can be passed through the block separately and then connected to the terminals.
This will not be mandatory at New Zealand events, but we encourage fencers to upgrade their equipment when they next purchase gear.
- 29.1.b - The bodywire has a connecting plug which must be made of a transparent material at each end. In the absence of a security device being fitted to the weapon, a security device must be fitted to the plug of the bodywire.
This will not be mandatory at New Zealand events, but we encourage fencers to upgrade their equipment when they next gear.
Please note that these decisions are applicable for New Zealand national events only, and events with an international component (such as Oceania or Commonwealth Championships) may require that they are enforced.
For additional information about equipment requirements for FIE events, please see the below link:
https://static.fie.org/uploads/25/128444-book%20m%20ang.pdf