What penalty may a fencer face for failing to present themselves at the designated starting time?

When a fencer does not present themselves at the designated starting time, they face a forfeit of the bout. This is because adherence to the schedule is crucial in competitive fencing, as it ensures smooth progression of the event and maintains order among all participants. By failing to appear on time, the fencer disrupts this order, which can lead to delays and complications within the competition. Thus, the penalty is a forfeit, allowing the opponent to proceed without contesting the bout, rather than imposing more severe consequences like disqualification or fines, which are generally reserved for other types of infractions or misconduct.