The Great Britain Savate Federation
entered a team in the first ever European Canne de Combat Championships
in Oct 2006. The team of 4 fighters consisted of Julie Gabriel
(Team captain), Morgan Alexander (Coach), Newman Burdett and
Stuart McIntyre, accompanied by Agnès Aubert. Leaving
Cambridge on thursday afternoon, we eventually arrived in Strasbourg
early friday morning. After breakfast, we played tourist for
a few hours - photo shows Newman, Julie, Stu and Agnès.
On friday evening, we enjoyed
two receptions to welcome the delegations, and had the opportunity
to look around the stunning competition venue (right). There
were nine teams from eight countries taking part: France A, France
B, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia
and Spain.
Mayor's reception for officials
and delegation leaders -
photo courtesy of Yonnel Kurtz
The competition began on saturday
morning with the men's elimination bouts. Newman, unfortunately,
had to withdraw after one fight after straining his knee. Stu
completed 4 fights - he was fighting in a group with two top
fighters from France - but eventually took a win against Nejc
Mivsek of Slovenia. Morgan and Julie both lost their first fights
against the top french women, Nicole Chane-Foc and Chantal Lucas,
who went on to win gold and silver. Morgan drew against the hungarian
Ildiko Bruzet Tarpai. On sunday, Stu was defeated in his quarter
final by Matija Tomc of Slovenia, and Morgan lost to the Slovakian,
Elena Bohackova, but Julie went on to take a win against Ildiko
Bruzet Tarpai. The Great Britain team was placed 6th overall,
with individual results as follows:
Julie
5th
Morgan
6th
Stu
13th
Newman
20th
Between rounds: Stuart takes
advice from Morgan
(photo courtesy
of Yonnel Kurtz)
Morgan (in blue) defends against
a headshot from Nicole Chane-Foc (France A team)
(photo courtesy
of Yonnel Kurtz)
Julie (in blue) avoids a leg
shot from Chantal Lucas (France B team)
(photo courtesy
of Yonnel Kurtz)
The finals session included some excellent demos of canne chausson, wheelchair cane and bâton français
The host club celebrated its
20th anniversary on the saturday evening, inviting the delegations
to a celebratory meal. CAMA member Fred Berst (now living in
the area) provided translations during the speeches.
We were also treated to beer,
wine, music and dancing,
and a demonstration of single cane and double cane
fighting by members of the Schiltigheim club. Oh... and
more beer...
We returned to Paris by overnight
train... photo shows Morgan, Stu and Agnès waiting for
a cafe to open for breakfast... and were back in Cambridge by
late afternoon on monday.
The team are very grateful to
the french teams and officials who supported us throughout the
weekend, and gave us countless lessons, both during and between
fights!
More photos available on the
website of Yonnel
Kurtz
