A great performance from Jess Varley saw her finish 2nd at the Open Swiss Champs last weekend, the University of Bath based athlete’s first individual international podium. It was also a strong competition for Pentathlon GB teammate Charlie Follett as she finished 4th in Bern.
Varley, who became the new 2016 British Modern Pentathlon National Champion last month, continued her fine form in the Swiss capital in the two day competition. A slow start saw her pick 36 penalty points in the ride, but 18 victories in the fencing salle followed, moving her up to 4th after two disciplines. A strong swim of 2:20.09 saw the 21 year old gain another position to sit 3rd overnight with the combined event following on Sunday.
Varley, who is originally from Peterborough, produced another impressive discipline performance, the 4th quickest combined event of the day, to move up to 2nd and claim the silver medal, finishing just 6 seconds behind competition winner Alessandra Bertacchini from Italy.
Follett, who currently trains with Dorset Pentathletes, also produced a good all round display, particularly in the fencing where she secured 18 victories to hold a narrow lead after two disciplines. The 19 year old who made her senior international debut earlier in the year, also in Switzerland, eventually finished 4th, narrowly missing out on a place on the podium, and backing up her 2nd place finish at the British National Championships last month.
Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB
