The Federation Francaise d'Escrime (French Fencing Federation) has released some statistics regarding the number of left-handed fenders (aka lefties, southpaws, portsiders, gauchers and gaucheres) who competed in the Olympics of Atlanta 1996. One surprising statistic: of the total number of contenders in the Epee events, 30% of the women were left-handed, while fully 40% of the men were left-handed.

In the Men's Team Epee, France fielded a trio of left-handers, a team that captured the Bronze Medal. Even more successful was the Women's Epee Team, which won a Gold Medal. Two members of this team were left-handers, one of whom (Laura Flessel) took the Gold Medal in the Individual event!

A possible reason for these successes may be that their coaches, still influenced by older masters, rely on an epee methodology based on the classical concept of toucher sans etre touche - "touch without being touched." In essence, this technique consists of finding the opposing blade, taking it to the outside line and keeping it there.

In our Hudson-Berkshire Division, left-handers comprise no more than 10% of the membership (my estimate). For the left-handed epee fencer this translates into a slightly practical advantage: FAMILIARITY. On the piste he is regularly crossing blades with a right-hander who may have little or no experience against an opposite-handed opponent.