20/03/2024
Sofia CrossSwords is coming back in 2024 - this time with a unique new tournament category - Open Light Longsword.
We are proud to announce that this year we are adding a new Open Longsword category - the Open Light Longsword, first of its kind in the world.
For years HEMA Longsword has used big, long and substantial simulators as the standard. While we all love the thrill and the adrenaline that comes when fencing with such a weapon, we also want Open competitions to be more accessible - for younger fencers, newbies in the competitive HEMAsphere, ladies, for people with injuries and physical limitations.
In the last couple of years more and more manufacturers have introduced lighter models of their longswords, and this year our regular sponsor SIGI Forge presented their own SIGI Light. Less than 48 hours after the announcement we decided on this new category and it will be with swords provided - namely with SIGI Lights.
These lighter simulators represent the lower limit of longswords from the period and SIGI has done their best to make a sword that still behaves as a historical weapon. They allow hard hits with less damage, longer exchanges, less strain on muscles, joints and ligaments.
The Open Light Longsword will welcome anyone who wants to participate, with one caveat - you must choose between the Light Longsword or the standard Open Longsword category.