Fencing

In modern fencing the playing area, called a piste, is 1.5-2 metres wide and 14 metres long with a 2-metre runoff at each end. At competitions, Swiss Timing provides a multi-piste scoring, control, and hit-registering system (the on-venue results or OVR system) along with units that display results recorded by the system.    

At the heart of our timing, scoring, and measurement activities in support of fencing are scoring, control, and hit registration systems with their associated display units.  The hit registration machine is positioned opposite the referee (on the other side of the piste). Fencers are connected to the hit registration system either with or without wires. From the tableau of 32, each round is wireless.

From the tableaux of 32 or 64 (depending on the event), a video replay system is used. A camera operated by a volunteer following the fight is positioned either at least 6 meters away from the piste or in the tribune. When a hit has been recorded, the head referee can, in case of any doubt, replay the previous 10 seconds of the fight at the official table located beside the middle of the piste, at whatever speed is necessary to confirm the hit (i.e. between 10 percent and 100 percent of real-time speed).

Swiss Timing processes a considerable amount of data, which is sent to the scoreboards above and/or next to the piste. Our LED TV scoreboard displays scores, times, penalties, names, fights, and other relevant information.

The timing and scoring of fencing events are complemented by a full range of services in support of media and local organizers. Swiss Timing is also responsible for the distribution of results via on-venue scoreboards, the internet, and television broadcast. For additional information about these services, click on the links below.