Montreal, May 30, 2008 – Olympic-bound Josh McGuire of Ontario finished 13th in the men’s foil competition on Friday at a fencing World Cup event at the Centre Claude-Robillard.  The result will also improve McGuire’s ranking for the Olympic draw.

McGuire defeated Michele Pirrazo of Italy 15-9 in the round of 32 before falling 15-8 to France’s Terence Joubert.  Joubert went on to win the bronze.

‘’I was happy with how I managed my match against the Italian but I didn’t do as well against Terence,’’ said McGuire, 24.

‘’Josh’s strength is his ability to mount a strategy,’’ said Canadian national team coach Dominique Teisseire.  ‘’He fully understands fencing and can beat almost anyone not in the top-32.  After that, it’s another story.  The best in the world all have elaborate strategies along with great physical fitness.  Josh struggles to keep pace with competitors at the same tactical level but who are physically superior.  In preparation for the Olympics, he’ll attend various training camps in Europe to refine his conditioning.’’

Étienne Lalonde Turbide of Montreal, 19, posted a personal best 23rd place.  He was 46th at the same tournament last year.

‘’I’m very pleased with my result,’’ said Lalonde Turbide.  ‘’I managed my match against the Kazak very well but it was another story in the second bout.  Majewski is very strong.  He caught on to my game plan and I couldn’t adjust.  Still I’m more confident than ever in my abilities.  My hard work in training is paying off.  I also must commend the daily support of my coaches and the financial support from Groupe Aldo which have really helped me in my progression.’’

Also advancing to the round of 32 were Quebec fencers Daniel Cohen of Blainville , Marek Wocjik of Longueuil, Julien Gaudreau-Pollender of Granby and Nicolas Teisseire of Boucherville 25th, 26th, 27th and 32nd respectively. 

Cohen defeated compatriot Kamil Karbonowski 15-9 and lost 15-2 to Gerek Meinhardt of the U.S.  Wocjik took Clement Desvaux of France 15-13 then lost to Tomer Or of Israel.  Gaudreau Pollender opened with a 15-9 win over Andrzej Zamlynny of Poland then fell 15-8 to Erwan Le Pechoux of France, the eventual champion.   Teisseire beat Pierre Boulle of France 15-11 and lost to Olympic champion Brice Guyart of France 14-6, who was sixth overall. 

‘’Overall I’m very satisfied,’’ said Teisseire.  ‘’Some guys like Marek and Nicolas had tougher matches.  But all managed their first matches well to get to the second round.  It is interesting to note that except for Josh, who trains in Ontario and the U.S., all the others who got by the first round train together regularly.  That’s the secret for developing an optimal training environment so we can challenge the Europeans.’’

Jean-François Sigouin of Montreal lost his opener to Martino Minuto of Italy 15-7 for 35th place.  Canadians Karbonowski, Sinatrio Raharjo, Adrien Dessens, Scott Dudiak and Rory Chisholm were 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 50th and 52nd respectively.

Several Canadians advance to round of 64 in epee

In the women’s epee Grand Prix, Brita Goldie of Ontario advanced past the preliminaries on Friday.  She’ll face Marzia Muroni of Italy in the round of 64.  Sherraine Schalm of Alberta, ranked ninth in the world, had a first round bye and faces Anfisa Pochkalova of Ukraine.

In men’s epee, Canadians Yann Bernard, Hugues Boisvert-Simard, Vincent Pelletier and Tigran Bajgoric all advanced past the preliminary round.  They’ll face in order in the round of 64 :  Maksym Khvorost of Ukraine, Benjamin Steffen of Switzerland, Dmytro Chumak of Ukraine and Jean-Michel Lucenay of France.

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