2010 World Championships - Paris

An epic trip of 30 days in Europe, where do I start?! There is something to be said about doing what you love that is uncomparable to any enjoyable daily routine. So much, that its even hard to put into words sometimes. When you're given a task, whether it have a schedule or not, and you love every moment of trying to acheive the end goal of that task it becomes an adventure all in its own. Many of the European athletes are blind sided by how North Americans do sport out of passion rather than livelihood. They believe that it brings a different frame of mind when competing - a no stress attitude - because whether you win or lose, in the end, you still get to keep your job. That is hardly the case. Our support structure is financially based and our goal is to win, like any other focused athlete. The mental stress is constantly there, the physical pains are constantly there and the desire to succeed amounts to much more because we, ourselves, are the only ones responsible for our path. Of course, it would be nice to be a professional athlete, that's a given, but there is a certain charm about amateur sports - its humbling in a way!

2010 World Championships - Paris. Our build up to the event went from Montreal to Germany, back to Montreal then to Belarus and then finally Paris. Preparation for such a big event takes about a month and a half to get into peak form, both physically and mentally. Its not easy cutting yourself off from the rest of the world practically and putting all your focus on a single thing....(especailly when you're also trying to run a business)! I've got to admit though, living in a sport compound on the other side of the world is painfully draining - in the middle of the woods with nothing else around. Oh how lucky we are to live in Canada! Twice a day training, with three meals a day doesn't leave you with much energy in the evenings - so when the internet works its basically all that you count on doing ....did I say this was going to be fun!

Arriving in Paris at Le Grand Palais was almost dream like. There are only a handful of coutry's that can host this event and host it well. A total of 9 days of events, both team and individual. Group photo's, media breakfasts, cheering on other team members, interviews, registration, signing autographs - is all required but still you have to maintain the focus up to the day of your event. Crucial in fact. But it does make it more exciting - for everyone! Result time. I had a very tough pool the first day which was unplanned and went 3 victory's and 3 defeats. I then faced Tunisian champion

El Habib and won the match 15-11 with confidence - which put me into the final day against world number 5 Luigi Tarantino. At 38 years old he is the oldest fencer on the circut but a true talent and the most experienced. We rally'd back and forth but in front of a crowd of 6000 fans I layed my sabre to rest with a dissapointing loss 9-15. Gigi had my number that day. We spend all the time and effort preparing for that day and sometimes you can never predict what may or may not happen. Everyone is in the same vote - everyone wants to win - but only one champion can come out of it at then end. I was pleased with the result as my goal was only for one round after that ...will I learn from it, absolutely ...will I remember it, without a doubt ...will I want a rematch, NO QUESTION!! Home now. Ready for a break. Time for some beers. Let's do it!

Ps - thanks Neill for making it from London to support me - a true gesture of freindship.