Pentathlon GB’s Georgia Pipes and Charlie Follett both continued their fine starts to 2017 as they secured top 20 finishes at the German Open Championships yesterday with consistent performances across all 5 disciplines in Berlin.
The competition began in the pool with the 200m swim where both British athletes produced good times, Easingwold’s Pipes 9th in 2:26.15 with Bristol’s Follette 26th in 2:23.87. In the fencing salle it was Follett who led the British charge, picking up 19 victories alongside 16 defeats to move up to 15th in the overall standings. University of Bath Sociology student Pipes secured 15 victories and 20 defeats, leaving her 21st after the opening two disciplines in the German capital.
A confident round by 20 year-old Pipes saw her have just five time faults in the ride, picking up 295 points to move up to 18th ahead of the closing laser-run. Follett, who moved to Pentathlon GB’s National Training Centre at the University of Bath in September secured 275 points meaning she started the combined running and shooting discipline in 22nd.
A strong effort in the laser-run saw both Pentathlon GB athletes record a top 20 finish with Pipes maintaining her place in 18th and Follett moving up to 19th at the competitions conclusion. Against a strong field, it continues the good international form of both athletes with Follett securing silver and Pipes finishing 4th at the Swiss Women International just 2 weeks ago.
Joe Choong (Photo: Pentathlon GB)
Meanwhile, Joe Choong finished 5th on his first international appearance of 2017 at the German Open Championships in Berlin on Saturday with young British teammates George Budden and Bradley Sutton 30th and 34th respectively. Joe was placed inside the top 6 throughout the competition in the German capital on an impressive return to action following 7 months away from the international circuit. George, making his senior international debut, and Brad, competing in just his second senior event, both gained valuable experience in a high quality competition in the German capital.
The competition started in the pool with the 200m swim where Basingstoke’s Brad led the British charge in a time of 1:58.52, just under 2 seconds ahead of Joe in 4th (2:00.50). Romsey’s George began his senior international debut by recording a time of 2:05.75 to lie 19th after the opening discipline.
In the fencing salle, 21 year-old Joe showed the sort of form that propelled him into contention at the 2016 Olympics with some excellent hits seeing the Brit pick up 25 victories and 12 defeats to move up to 4th in the overall standings. 18 year-old Brad and 17 year-old George who recorded 14 and 13 victories respectively meaning they were placed 23rd and 31st after the opening 2 disciplines.
A strong ride from Orpington’s Joe saw him knock down just a single pole to pick up 293 points, moving him into 2nd ahead of the closing laser-run. Meanwhile, TASS supported athlete Brad secured 261 points with Pentathlon GB Talent athlete George collecting 279 points. It meant the two Hampshire youngsters sat 33rd and 34th after 3 disciplines in the German capital.
A solid laser-run from 21 year-old Joe saw him cross the line 5th, finishing as the top placed overseas athlete with German quarter Marvin Dogue, Patrick Dogue, Alexander Nobis and Fabian Liebig occupying the top 4 places. Debutant George finished his competition on a high, moving up to 30th with a time of 12:17.27 in the laser-run whilst Brad, who moved to Pentathlon GB’s National Training Centre at the University of Bath in September, finished 4 places further back.
The next time Pentathlon GB athletes will be in action is at the British Modern Tetrathlon Championships in Solihull on April 22nd and 23rd with the Sant Boi Under 19 European Cup the following weekend.
Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB
