Source: Pentathlon GB

Pentathlon GB’s Kate French and Jo Muir record World Cup top 20s

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Kate French and Jo Muir finished their first international appearances of 2018 in encouraging fashion as they both recorded top 20 finishes at World Cup 3 today. French was inside the top 10 for the majority of the day in Hungary before slipping to 11th on the final lap of the laser run with Muir producing a typically strong run-shoot performance to come home 19th at the competition’s conclusion.

It was encouraging day for both athletes with French returning to the international scene following a break after last year’s World Championships and Muir coming back after a disrupted start to the year.

Story of the Day

The women’s final at the third World Cup of the year began in the pool with the 200m swim. Scotland’s Muir, who has suffered an illness interrupted beginning to 2018, demonstrated that her form is returning with a fine time of 2:17.84 whilst Kent’s French stopped the clock in 2:21.50.

In the fencing hall, the roles were reversed as French led the British charge. The Rio Olympian was inside the top 10 of the discipline standings throughout, maintaining her strong start to finish with 21 victories and 14 defeats. It was a tough day on the piste for Muir with the 23-year-old picking up 12 victories from her 35 bouts, leaving her in 34th position after the opening two disciplines and with lots of ground to make up for a top 20 finish.

In the riding arena, both athletes demonstrated the strength of the Pentathlon GB team as the National Training Centre based duo both performed well. Muir was the first Brit into the ring and produced a perfect clear round to record the maximum score of 300 points. French rolled a single pole on her allocated horse Cecil but picked up 289 points for her round, seeing her gain a single place in the overall standings to sit 9th with Muir moving up to 25th after the third discipline.

With small gaps throughout the majority of field, a typically fascinating laser run developed. The current lack of sharpness for the British girls after spells out was demonstrated but both French and Muir battled their way to line, proving that once back on top form they will be a major threat to the field. French was around the lower echelons of the top 10 throughout the laser run, eventually crossing the line in 11th with Muir still managing to pick up six places as she came home 19th to record a fourth consecutive top 20 World Cup finish.

Tomorrow sees the men’s final taking place in Kecskemet with Rio Olympians Jamie Cooke and Joe Choong both in action for Pentathlon GB.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB