The Moncton Open ran this weekend and I competed in the Open Foil division. I managed to come in 8th in the overall open event (mixed men and women) and 1st in the Women's Foil event. Not a bad start to the season. I was a little disappointed in my placing in the Open, however, I recognize that in addition to needing a higher skill level I tend to beat myself up mentally when I'm in the Open super pool (a pool of the top 8 fencers). There are some very skilled fencers in this pool and I always feel like an imposter there, even though I had earned my right to be in that pool by being undefeated in the first round of pools and victorious in the direct eliminations to the top 8 fencers. As soon as I get in the top 8 pool I'm filled with doubt. This is something I have to overcome. And I had a great breakthrough this time. Even though I was pretty much defeated in my first 5 matches, I pulled myself together enough to push out all thoughts except being in the moment for my next competitor, concentrating hard on figuring out his game and won the match 5-1. My final competitor was a very skilled fencer who consistently comes either 1st or 2nd in the Atlantic Fencing League, but again I pulled it together and gave him a very tough match, he won 4-2, not with the full 5 points and worked for every point against me. So I ended the event in 8th place but I think the breakthrough was by far the most important gain for me. This year my goal is not only to be in the top 8 consistently but to increase my placing. 6th and 5th are within reach and maybe with a little luck, even 3rd could be possible.