Twin teens compete in fencing tournament

Twin brothers Sam and Ben Rinaldi found a unique way to settle sibling disputes: swords.

"It's fun because you can hit the person who's bothering you," Sam said. "We spar with each other all the time. It's a good way to stay on top of your game."

While they're not likely to break out the foils in the living room, the 16-year-old Coraopolis brothers will be en garde at the U.S. Fencing Association tournament, which opens today at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

"It's definitely a sport, not a hobby, and it's not what you might see at Renaissance fairs," said U.S. Fencing spokeswoman and Pittsburgh native Cindy Bent Findlay. "We use state-of-the-art weapons. These athletes are really trying to hit each other."

The protective gear generally keeps anyone from being seriously cut or speared, but Findlay said sprained ankles and hamstring pulls are not uncommon in high-stakes tournaments.

Fencing is often called "physical chess," Sam said. "You have to study your opponents' weaknesses while you try to protect your own. You really have to think on your feet."

The three weapons in fencing are the epee, the foil and the saber. Both Rinaldi twins said they feel confident competing with all three. "I couldn't just pick one, they're like my children," Ben said.

The twins both have C-rankings, E being the lowest, and A being the highest, so they're in pretty good standing as they enter the Division I competition.

"This is one of the competitions that will select the senior national team that goes to the world championship," Findlay said. "The Division I is an elite event; if this were an Olympic year, these would be the finalists to make the Olympic team."

The Rinaldis, who have been fencing since they were 11, like the practical applications of fencing, as well. "It maybe a good way to get into college," Sam noted.

There are several dozen schools with NCAA-level fencing teams, including Penn State, University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University and Cleveland State University.

The twins practice as much as 14 hours a week, but they believe the sport is worth the time and effort they put into it.

"It's a great stress reliever," Ben said. "It makes you focus on the moment, on the here and now."

Additional Information:

Details

Go see it

What: U.S. Fencing Association tournament.

Where: David L. Lawrence convention center, Hall B.

When: Today until 10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How much: Free, open to the public.

Details: www.usfencing.org

The weapons

Foil: A thrusting weapon, with a flexible, rectangular blade, 35 inches long. Points are scored with the tip of the blade.

Epee: The descendant of the dueling sword, is the same length as the foil, but heavier, with a much stiffer blade. Touches are scored only with the point of the blade. It is also a thrusting sword.

Saber (or sabre): A thrusting and cutting weapon. It's the modern version of the slashing cavalry sword, about the same size as the foil.

Source: U.S. Fencing Association