Love On And Off Piste
When Fencing Meets The Heart
On Valentine’s Day, the European Fencing Confederation celebrates not only medals and rankings, but also the powerful partnerships that grow alongside elite careers. Behind every champion there are sacrifices, long travels, shared pressures — and sometimes, another fencer who understands it all without a single word.
This year we spoke with four inspiring couples from across Europe, whose relationships are built on shared dreams, different personalities, and a deep understanding of life on and off the piste.
Jean-Philippe Patrice & Erica Cipressa — Understanding Without Explanation
Jean-Philippe explains that the greatest gift of their relationship is understanding. She recognises his ups and downs, his doubts, and the moments when silence and space are necessary before competition. There are no rigid rules between them — only mutual respect. If one of them does not respond immediately after a tough loss, the other simply knows why.
Erica describes their bond as deeply positive, built on shared rhythms and shared fatigue. Yet they are different in how they process sport: he likes to talk fencing; she sometimes needs to disconnect. Over time, they have learned to respect these differences and create balance. Competition weeks are treated with special care, with small rituals — a message the evening before, another in the morning — simple gestures that say, “I’m here.”
She admires his limitless dreaming and natural optimism. He admires her relentless dedication and precision. Together, they blend vision and structure, lightness and perfectionism.
Gaétan Billa & Aurore Favre — Shared Pressure, Shared Motivation
With men and women now competing in the same cities at World Cups, tournaments are no longer faced alone. Aurore explains that sharing the competitive environment makes it easier to manage stress and pressure. Wins and losses become collective experiences.
They have no “no-go rules.” Fencing is everywhere in their lives — a common passion that naturally takes space. What Gaétan admires most is Aurore’s determination and perseverance; what she admires most is his ability to dream without limits and turn those dreams into reality.
Support, exchange, motivation — their relationship becomes an extension of their training.
Filippo Macchi & Giulia Amore — Growing Together Through Difference
Filippo highlights the beauty of living the same routine and discovering the world together through fencing. The key, he says, is knowing when to step into competition mode and when to step out of it, so sport does not overpower the relationship.
Understanding each other’s needs around competition has grown with time. What he admires most in Giulia on the piste is her light approach to defeat — she reminds him that, at the end of the day, it is still sport. Off the piste, her intelligence and constant positivity bring balance to his more emotional reactions.
Differences, when respected, become strength.
Simone Mencarelli & Lucrezia Paulis — Balance, Clarity And Emotional Control
Simone explains that being in a relationship with another athlete — especially one who practices the same sport — helps him enormously. Lucrezia understands the sacrifices, the pressure and the emotional investment that fencing requires. She knows when to stand close and when to give space, particularly during competitions, when concentration becomes essential before each bout.
For both of them, the most important “unwritten rule” applies during tournaments: recognising when the other person needs space, offering support without interference, and respecting the emotional rhythm of competition.
Lucrezia believes that sharing the same dynamics allows them to fully understand each other’s emotional states without lengthy explanations. Joy becomes greater when shared; difficult moments become lighter when divided.
Simone admires Lucrezia’s determination — not only in sport but in life. Once she commits to a path, she follows it through with full focus and intensity. Lucrezia, in turn, highlights Simone’s genuineness and sweetness, as well as his remarkable clarity on the piste. She describes him as a pleasure to watch, someone capable of making even the most complex actions look simple, maintaining emotional control until the final touch.
Together, they combine strength, composure and mutual respect — qualities that extend far beyond the piste.
More Than Medals
In elite fencing, margins are small and pressure is constant. These couples show that love does not distract from performance — it strengthens it. Through mutual respect, honest communication and shared ambition, they build not only results, but resilience.
On this Valentine’s Day, European fencing celebrates partnerships that prove one powerful truth: sometimes the greatest advantage on the piste is knowing someone is waiting for you off it.
