2007-2008 Mercury Cup Changes
Jonathan
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Jonathan
We thank you for being such loyal participants in our Mercury Cup
series over the last several years. You have helped make it a
resounding hit, and we are ecstatic about hosting such a large and
competitive, yet fun and friendly event.
Due to the unique nature of the Athletic Club, instead of our events
being focused on raising critical club revenue (we spend most of your
entry fees on quality imported beer), our primary tournament goal has
always been to increase the quality and level of fencing for NYAC
members, our regional fencing friends, and the United States. In order
to continue meeting that goal, we are happy to announce some exciting
changes this season:
The Caduceus Cup series
While the Mercury Cup series has been widely successful, we see room
for improvement in offering more opportunities for growing young and
up-and-coming talent.
Last season, we test-ran a Caduceus Cup event (C & under) which was
very popular, and I am happy to announce that this season we will be
hosting an entire 3-event Caduceus Cup series.
Points will be earned at each of the events, with the top 2 results
for each fencer counting toward their total. We will have prizes and
awards for the top fencers at the series conclusion.
Changes to the Mercury Cup
Why are we changing the format?
Our events have created some exciting opportunities for more elite-
level fencing, and we now even see fencers flying in for some of them.
However our success has inadvertently resulted in growing pains and
challenging issues, including:
· The space at the Athletic Club is too small for the number of
competitors
- Half our events last season were A4's. Anybody at these events can
attest to the cramped conditions.
· The number of competitors is making the events unbearably long
- Hosting a single event that runs as long as 7 to 8 hours is
unacceptable.
· It is taking an increasing amount of time and resources to
administer the events
· We are seeing an increase in lopsided match-ups
- 2-time Olympians blowing out U's 15-2 halfway through the first
period of round 2 is of benefit to nobody
· We are still growing
- Our modeling shows events this year would reach competitor levels
well into the 70's
What are the changes?
After much discussion, consideration and planning, we decided to test
a new format this season that should help make Mercury Cup events
better, stronger, faster.
There will be 5 Mercury Cup events. Mercury Cups #1-#4 will be "A/B +
8" events. The "+ 8" represents 8 wildcard spots. Similar to wild
cards in pro sports, C & Under fencers can qualify for the 8 wildcard
spots by finishing in the final 8 at Caduceus Cup events. Epeepalooza
(Mercury Cup #5) will continue to be an open event.
This is how it will work:
Month Event Rating Level Notes
Mid-September Caduceus Cup #1 C & Under Final 8 Qualify as wildcards
for Mercury Cups #1 and #2
Late September Mercury Cup #1 A & B + 8 Wildcards
November Mercury Cup #2 A & B + 8 Wildcards
December Caduceus Cup #2 C & Under Final 8 Qualify as wildcards for
Mercury Cups #3 and #4
January Mercury Cup #3 A & B + 8 Wildcards
April Mercury Cup #4 A & B + 8 Wildcards
May Epeepalooza Open Counts as both Mercury Cup #5 and Caduceus Cup #3
How will this affect points?
For the Mercury Cup, each competitor's best 3 of 5 results will count
towards points.
For the Caduceus Cup, each competitor's best 2 of 3 results will count
towards points.
Epeepalooza will be a single open event and count towards points for
both cups. The top 32 fencers (regardless of rating) will receive
Mercury Cup points based on their placement. C & Under fencers will
also receive Caduceus Cup points based on their relative placement
(e.g. if the top C was 12th place, he would get 12th place points
towards the Mercury Cup and 1st place points towards the Caduceus Cup
since he came in first relative to the other C & Under fencers).
How will this lead to better fencing?
The Mercury Cup events will become even stronger and a better training
ground for the elite and high-level fencers.
Those C & Under fencers who can do well in the C & Under category will
have the chance to be successful in those events, and will graduate up
to also fence with the stronger fencers in the Mercury Cup events,
thus giving them the opportunity to improve their skills.
Those C & Under fencers who cannot make the final 8 in Caduceus Cup
events likely need more time and practice to develop their skills in
Caduceus Cup events before they are ready for the Mercury Cup, where
they are unlikely to do well, develop, or see any results from
improvement.
Using this method, newer fencers will start in C & Under events,
improve, and eventually graduate up to competing with A & B
competitors. This will help foster growth more than the current open
format does. Furthermore, this will result in:
· Smaller, more manageable competitions
· Faster tournament times
· More space
· Better training for elite fencers
· The ability to see growth and improvement for up-and-coming fencers
What else?
1. The final 8 from each Caduceus Cup event will automatically be pre-
registered for the next two Mercury Cup events, and will get half-off
the entry fees for those events, payable at the door.
2. No, there are no alternates for the 8 wildcard spots
3. No, wildcards cannot earn Caduceus Cup points (with or without
multipliers) through Mercury Cup events (Epeepalooza being the noted
exception).
Are these changes permanent?
We don't know... we will evaluate the new system as the season
progresses and solicit you for feedback. If we see an improved system,
we will likely keep it and/or tweak it further. If not, we may revert
back or choose an entirely new format. We will do our best to ensure
the top-level tournaments you have come to expect.
Again, we thank you for helping make these events what they are today,
and hope to continue working with you towards even better, stronger
and more fun events in the future.