Francesca Summers got her 2019 season off to a fantastic start with a superb sixth place finish at the opening World Cup of the year in Cairo yesterday. A consistent display across all five disciplines saw the 22-year-old record her best ever World Cup finish on her way to a place on the wider podium. Charlie Follett, competing in her first World Cup final, finished 32nd with Kerenza Bryson 36th after a long and tough day in the Egyptian capital.
Story of the Day
Summers, Follett and Bryson had all come through qualifying on Wednesday to make the final and started their day in the pool with the 200m swim. It was Bristol’s Follett who started strongest of the Brits, stopping the clock in 2:21.37 with Summers recording a time of 2:23.41 and Bryson 2:26.53.
It was to be the fencing hall that dictated the final outcome of the day for the Pentathlon GB athletes, Surrey’s Summers faring by far the best as she secured 20 victories from her 35 bouts in the ranking round before going on to add two additional points in the bonus round. Plymouth’s Bryson finished the discipline with 14 victories with Follett on 11 victories. That meant former Junior World Champion Summers was 13th at the end of the morning with Bryson 30th and Follett 35th heading into the ride.
Whilst many athletes at the top faltered, a flawless display from Summers saw her pick up the maximum 300 points. Follett also performed well, picking up just 3 time faults to score 297 points for her round, performances which saw both Brits make significant ground on their nearest rivals. 20-year-old Bryson had a tougher time in the third discipline, a score of 226 ending her hopes of a personal best World Cup finish. As a result, Summers headed into the laser run in 6th with Follett 27thand Bryson 36th after the opening three disciplines.
In the combined run-shoot, an excellent display from Summers saw her maintain her position in 6th, recording her best ever World Cup result and a second WC top 10. Behind her, Follett and Bryson both battled well in the final discipline with Follett crossing the line 32nd and Bryson 36th.
Today sees the men’s final taking place in Cairo with Myles Pillage and Tom Toolis both in action for Pentathlon GB after coming through qualifying on Thursday.
Courtesy of Pentathlon GB
