Hilary Philbin (nee Cawthorne), the LOCOG Fencing Manager and two-time Olympian (Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980), recently organised a 'taster' session for some of the Sports team. No, we weren't going to practice mending picket fences, this was going to be an opportunity to try out one of the oldest of the Olympic Sports, Fencing being one of the four sports which have been featured at every modern Olympic Games.

In preparation for our opportunity to 'swing from the chandeliers' which was arranged at the 'fencing salle' at St Paul's School, Hammersmith, it appears we have to nominate whether were left or right-handed.

There's a left-handed sword?

The mystery is solved once we're provided with our 'plastron' (protective padding) covering the right side of the chest for a right-hander, chest protector (for the ladies) and covered with a 'Lamé' jacket. The tight-fitting but bulky clothes instantly provide a feeling that this sport is going to be different from any we've tried before. A thick glove and stainless steel mesh mask complete the kit-out.

We sit mesmerised whilst Hilary's husband Jim Philbin, also an Olympian (Los Angeles 1984) introduces us to this noble sport.

Currently, three types of weapon are used in Olympic fencing:

1. The Sabre (Jim's Olympic weapon), a light cutting and thrusting sword which, because it was the weapon of mounted soldiers, has as its valid target area the upper body from one side of the fencer's hip to the other and includes the head but does not the hands.

2. The Épée, a heavy thrusting weapon which has as its valid target area the entire body including the hands and arms.

3. The Foil (Hilary's Olympic weapon), a light thrusting sword for which the valid target is restricted to the torso, the chest, shoulders, and back. Today, we will be training with the Foil.

In a rush of excitement we select our weapons. The point of the Foil is covered with a rounded metal piece to avoid serious injury and the sword has a slight curve in the blade to ensure that it will bend on impact.

Jim puts us through some elementary moves, including a very satisfying thrusting motion which we are encouraged to accompany with a strong yell of ‘lunge’ as we leap towards our opponent.

Eventually we get an opportunity to spar freely against each other. I take a fairly aggressive approach, thrusting and lunging, parrying, charging and retreating with delight only to find that I rapidly run out of puff. Several bouts later, hot,  dripping in sweat, our masks wet and our breath coming in short pants, we all realise just how demanding and athletic this sport really is.

We take a welcome break as Jim's assistants, fellow 'veterans' Cary Zitcer and Steve Fox, both members of the British vets team (Cary at Sabre, and Steve at Foil and Sabre), provide us with a demonstration in Sabre fighting.

Despite Jim's explanation of the scoring including the 'right of way', I find that I can't follow who has scored a hit first and which hit counts – the action is just too fast and furious for the untrained eye to discern such finer points. Nevertheless, we are captivated by the action and admire their ability to make it all look effortless, even though we all now know it to be far from being so.

Both Cary and Steve have qualified for the Veterans World Championships (in Porec, Croatia) in September. Sadly, Jim and Hilary won't be attending this time. Both Jim and Hilary have been competing in the sport since their teens and now as veterans, Jim's currently ahead of Hilary as he won the World Sabre Championships in 2007 while Hilary's had to be content with a 'miserable  bronze' (her words!) at the World Championships, and a consolatory gold (Foil) and silver (Sabre) at the European Championships. 

Jim boosts our confidence with some encouraging words about our prowess and after another few bouts we finish with the proper salute: swords extended, then in front of our faces followed by a swish of the blade to the side. It's all so... civilised.

I wonder how they settle any disagreements in the Philbin household?

NB - in case you were wondering, the title of this blog is Shakespeare: the Merry Wives of Windsor. And I suppose I can now fence, at least a little.