Kate French produced a stunning performance to claim her first ever World Cup victory in convincing style in Cairo today. The 25 year-old took the lead of the competition after a fantastic fencing display before eventually going on to claim victory by 30 seconds for one of the most comfortable modern pentathlon victories seen in recent years.
The result sees French move up to 5th in the official World Rankings and complete a career set of World Cup medals following her silver medal in Los Angeles last month and bronze medal in Florida in 2015. British teammates Jo Muir and Kerenza Bryson also impressed in the Egyptian capital with Muir finishing 12th after a fantastic laser-run and Bryson an impressive 26th on her World Cup debut.
Story of the Day
The day began in the swimming pool where 22 year-old Muir recorded the quickest British time of 2:17.79. Former North Kent MPC athlete French was just behind in 2:20.37 with Plymouth Studio School’s Kerenza Bryson setting a time of 2:27.89.
However, it was the fencing salle where French asserted her authority on the competition. Some fantastic hits saw the Brit secure 29 victories from her 35 bouts, 5 more victories than any other athlete in the field. World Cup debutant Bryson finished the discipline standings on 16 victories and 19 defeats where former Scottish Saltires athlete Jo Muir securing 12 victories alongside her 23 defeats.
Gravesend’s French then consolidated her position by winning the fencing bonus round. It meant she held a 17 point lead ahead of the afternoon’s ride with Plymouth’s Bryson 29th and Dumfries’ Muir 31st.
The ride saw both Bryson and Muir producing flawless clear rounds to pick up the maximum 300 points and move up the leaderboard to 20th and 21st respectively with some of the athletes above them faltering. With competitors starting their show jumping course in reverse order, French was last to go and despite knocking 2 poles down, maintained her 17 second ahead of the laser-run.
A sub 12 second first shoot meant the Rio 2016 Olympian extended her advantage, continuing to so before enjoying the final 800m loop with victory secure. The result continues a brilliant start to 2017 for French with victories at both of Pentathlon GB’s National Ranking Competitions and her silver medal at the first World Cup in the USA preceding today’s ground-breaking gold.
Dorothy House ambassador Muir produced the 5th quickest laser-run of the day to move up to 12th on her first international appearance of the season with Bryson finishing 26th to cap a fine World Cup debut in the Egyptian capital.
The next World Cup takes place in Kecskemet, Hungary from 4th-8th May.
Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB
