Source: Artur Lesniak

Pentathlon GB’s French to make 1st international appearance of 2018

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Kate French will make her return to the international circuit at World Cup 3 next month as part of a 9-strong Pentathlon GB team heading to Hungary. The Rio Olympian, who took some time off after last year’s World Championships, is now back in training at Pentathlon GB’s National Training Centre at the University of Bath. French, who enjoyed a stunning season in 2017, including two World Cup medals, will now be looking to build back up to that level ahead of the summer.

The 27-year-old, who claimed the British Modern Tetrathlon title on her return to competitive action last weekend, will be joined by Samantha Murray, Joanna Muir and Jessica Varley in a strong Pentathlon GB line-up for the women’s individual competition. Fellow Olympian Murray will head into the event in good form having recorded a fine 5th place finish at World Cup 2 in Los Angeles last month, her best WC finish since 2015. Meanwhile, Varley (2nd) and Muir (3rd) completed the Women’s podium at last weekend’s Tetrathlon Championships in Bath so will also go into the competition high on confidence.

Muir missed the first two World Cups of the season due to illness so the inclusion of both herself and French will take the tally of Pentathlon GB athletes competing in World Cups this season to 17.

The men’s individual team heading to Hungary also contains a trio of senior athletes with Jamie Cooke, Joe Choong and Sam Curry selected. Rio Olympian Cooke enjoyed a successful competition in USA last time, finishing 7th in a strong men’s field. All three men will be making their second World Cup appearances of the season in Hungary with all representing Pentathlon GB at World Cup 2.

Junior athletes Bradley Sutton and Charlie Follett will compete in the mixed relay. Both athletes made their World Cup debuts in Cairo earlier this year and will be continuing to gain vital experience in the sport after competing in relay events at major senior championships last season.

All nine athletes are part of Pentathlon GB’s World Class Programme and currently train at our National Training Centre at the University of Bath.

It is the 10th consecutive year that a World Cup has been held in Hungary with multiple GB medals collected during that spell. The most recent came in 2016 when Jamie Cooke took gold in the men’s event. Last year, Kate French was the highest placed British athlete in 6th as she continued her fine WC form.

Hungary is one of the most popular destinations on the UIPM calendar with numerous World Ranking events and several major championships hosted there during the past decade.

Full Schedule
Thursday 3rd May – Women’s qualifying
Friday 4th March – Men’s qualifying
Saturday 5th March – Women’s final
Sunday 6th March – Men’s final
Monday 7th March – Mixed relay

Women’s Team
Samantha Murray, 28, originally from Clitheroe, Lancashire. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).
Jessica Varley, 23, originally from Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).
Joanna Muir, 23, originally from Dumfries. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).
Kate French, 27, originally from Gravesend, Kent. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).
Charlie Follett, 21, originally from Bristol. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).

Men’s Team
Jamie Cooke, 27, originally from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).
Sam Curry, 24, originally from Salfords’ Surrey. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).
Joe Choong, 22, originally from Orpington, Greater London. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).
Bradley Sutton, 19, originally from Basingstoke, Hampshire. Currently training at the University of Bath (National Training Centre).

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB