Fencing Grand Prix. Moscowsabre

GREETINGS

Dear friends!

On behalf of the International Fencing Federation, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all participants and guests of the Moscow Sabre Grand Prix tournament in Russia�s capital. These competitions complete the Sword of the Grand Prix series of this season and, in line with the established tradition, will be attended by the most distinguished participants. The contest promises to be highly competitive and exciting.

The Sabre occupies a very special place in fencing. Its distinctive features include speed and force. Sabre fights are the fastest and the most intense. They require fencers to be in impeccable physical shape, have excellent response times, and maintain an ability to make instant decisions. Only a combination of these qualities along with a fighting spirit and determination lead to victory in these competitions.

"Moscow Sabre� has a long and distinguished history and today it is considered by many to be one of the most prestigious saber tournaments in the world. During the 45-year history, the winners of sabre fencing competitions have included Victor Krovopuskov, Mikhail Burtsev, Victor Sidyak, Vladimir Nazlimov, Pal Gerevich, Imre Gedevari, Grigory Kiriyenko, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, and Sergei Sharikov. Today, the current generation of highly-trained and ambitious sabre fencers will demonstrate their skills here in Moscow.

This outstanding sporting event has a unique and friendly atmosphere, despite the intense competition, and the Organizing Committee along with the International Fencing Federation have always put a lot of work into making these events top class. An additional and important bonus of this year�s competition is that it�s being held in Moscow - one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I wish everyone who comes to this year�s "Moscow Sabre� most favorable impressions and the accomplishment of their goals!

Alisher Usmanov,
President of International fencing Federation (FIE)

Dear friends, athletes, coaches, experts, fans!

On behalf of the Russian fencing Federation, I am pleased to welcome you to the tournament "Moscow Sabre", which is held in the Russian capital for the 43rd time.

From the very beginning these competitions had the status of the international, and traditionally representatives of the leading sabre States took part in them: Italy, France, Hungary, Poland, Romania, USA, South Korea. Very serious competition was always made by the Soviet and Russian fencers who many times were among winners and prize-winners.

Since 2015, Moscow has been included in the number of the cities where tournaments in the fencing series of the Grand Prix "One Series. Nine cities." are held. Moreover, the Moscow stage completes the sabre part of the series in the season, so all the best saber fencers of the planet are looking forward to participating in this tournament. Victory on it is considered very prestigious. In 2018, about 300 athletes specializing in this type of weapon from more than 40 countries will gather in the Russian capital.

It is a great honour for us to hold such a status tournament, and the organizing Committee has made every effort to ensure that it is held at the highest level, so that all our guests feel as comfortable as possible in Moscow and in the VTB Ice Palace, which is the arena of the competition for the second year in a row.

Sabre fencing, if compared with other weapons, perhaps, most spectacular. On routes from the beginning to the end of the fighting there is intrigue. And the struggle for the title of winner is always emotional, sharp and uncompromising.

I wish the participants to achieve the maximum result, and the fans-to get bright and unforgettable impressions!

Alexander Mikhailov,
President of Russian fencing Federation (RFF)

VENUE

VTB ICE PALACE

For the second consecutive year, the fencing World Cup �Moscow Sabre� will be held in the small arena of the VTB Ice Palace (also called �Arena of Legends�), located at 23 Avtozavodskaya Street.

The VTB Ice Palace is the first sporting facility in Russia that includes three distinct arenas under one roof. The large arena is designed for 12,000 hockey spectators or 14,000 concert attendants. The small arena can host 3000 visitors, and the training rink is designed for 200 seats. The large and the small arenas can be easily and quickly transformed into a space suitable for events other than hockey games, which include concerts, festivals, exhibitions, trade shows, and other that meet international and Russian quality standards. These distinct features make the Palace a unique and multifunctional sporting and entertainment facility.

The VTB Ice Palace was opened on April 26, 2015. Since then, it has hosted many events of different levels and profiles. These include the World Cup and the First TV Channel Hockey Cup; repeated matches of the Continental Hockey League Championship; the WBA Super World Championship in the first heavyweight league between Roy Jones Jr. and Enzo Maccarinelli; the KHL Stars Match; Ricky Martin and Pet Shop Boys concerts, and many others. Last year the VTB Ice Palace also greeted fencers for the first time. The �Moscow Sabre 2017� tournament was held at the Palace and the facility really impressed the specialists and the fencing fans alike, and was praised by the leaders of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the Russian Fencing Federation (FFR).