It was the girls’ relay team of Olivia Green and Zoe Davison who fared best, narrowly missing out on a podium position with the boys’ team of George Budden and Toby Price coming home 6^th today. The Mixed Relay took place yesterday (Saturday 2^nd September) with James Wilton and Georgina Mitchell finishing 9^th.

Girls’ Relay

The girls’ relay began in the fencing hall with Wycliffe College’s Davison back to her best in the discipline, picking up 14 victories and just 4 defeats from her 18 bouts. Green, who finished 7^th in the individual competition on Thursday secured 8 victories meaning as a team they were 3^rd in the discipline standings with 22 victories and 14 defeats.

In the pool, the current British number one and number two stopped the clock in 2:04.38, the second quickest time in the field. It meant the Greater Manchester-Gloucestershire pairing were in third position after the opening two disciplines.

The British pair also performed well in the laser run, narrowly missing out on a medal after being overtaken by Italy in the final shoot. Pentathlon GB’s Pathway Manager Stuart Mason commented “Today it was a great effort from the two girls. In the laser run they outran the opposition and looked amazing but one target was our downfall and it dropped us away from the bronze medal.”

Boys’ Relay

The boys’ relay followed a similar pattern to the girls with another marked improvement in the fencing hall from the individual competitions. Both Hampshire’s Budden and Yorkshire’s Price produced positive fences to finish with 21 victories and 15 defeats, finishing 4^th in the discipline standings. However, it could have been even better for the British duo as they were joint top of the standings heading into the last round, demonstrating how things can change so quickly in the fencing discipline.

Both boys qualified for the individual final on Friday, finishing 19^th and 29^th respectively, and a strong swim saw them record a time of 1:56.00, the fifth quickest in the field. It meant that 17-year-old Budden and 16-year-old Price were in 4^th place ahead of the concluding laser run.

The Brits held their own in the final discipline, eventually crossing the line 6^th to ensure the Championships ended on a positive note for the Pentathlon GB team.

Mixed Relay

The Mixed Relay took place yesterday with Warwick’s Georgina Mitchell and Kent’s James Wilton competing for Pentathlon GB. They also began their day in the fencing hall, picking up 12 victories and 28 defeats from their 40 bouts.

In the swim, the British duo who are both 3^rd on the respective Pentathlon GB boys’ and girls’ ranking lists, were one of seven teams to dip under the two-minute barrier; their time of 1:59.06 fifth quickest. It meant the Brits were in 10^th place after the opening two disciplines.

The British youngsters also performed strongly in the concluding laser run, running well and shooting accurately to pick up another place and finish the competition in 9^th.

Reflecting on the week as a whole, Pentathlon GB’s Pathway Manager Stuart Mason commented “Whilst not making the podium, as a team we grew in confidence as the competition went through the days. We have taken a huge amount not only from this event, but also the Under 17 European Championships and Under 19 World Championships earlier in the summer.

“We have been stressing for two seasons that the laser run has become hugely significant in the outcome and medal placings at all levels of competition and this is becoming more evident. To see a 10min 30sec result from an Under 19 boy – with another time under 11 minutes – is a special performance.

The girls are just as strong and in both the boys and girls at all age categories we have to react to this.”

Stuart concluded “Overall our athletes competed to the best of their abilities and can now take some well-earned rest after a busy summer schedule.”

Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB

The day started with the Group A fence meaning Warwick’s Georgina Mitchell and Stroud’s Zoe Davison got things underway for the British team. Both athletes have performed incredibly well in the fencing hall this season, including when they qualified for the Under 19 World Championships final last month. Today it was Plymouth College’s Mitchell who was the leading light, picking up 13 victories from her 20 bouts to finish 2^nd in the discipline standings with Wycliffe College’s Davison 36 points further back on 9 victories.

The group then moved to the swimming pool where it was 18-year-old Davison’s turn to impress as she matched Mitchell’s second place discipline finish with a stunning swim of 2:13.01. 16-year-old Mitchell also performed well with her time of 2:17.66 meaning she sat in 2^nd overall after the opening two disciplines with Zoe in 7^th.

With qualifying places up for grabs, things were as tense as usual in the laser run but Mitchell, who claimed victory at the British Under 19 Modern Pentathlon Championships in June, maintained her place inside the top 15 throughout to guarantee her place in the final. Davison, who was the highest placed British athlete at last month’s Under 19 World Championships slipped to 16^th at the line, meaning she had to wait until the second group had finished for confirmation of her qualification. However, once all the results were in, her score was comfortably high enough to ensure she progressed to Friday’s final.

Meanwhile, Saddleworth’s Olivia Green and Cholesbury’s Alex Bousfield were both placed in qualifying group B meaning they began their day in the pool. Both girls started the day strongly with Green recording a time of 2:17.81 and Bousfield 2:18.91 meaning they were well placed after the opening discipline.

In the fencing hall, it was Dacorum MPC’s Bousfield who fared slightly better, recording 11 victories and 10 defeats from her 21 bouts with Green picking up 9 victories. It meant that 16-year-old Bousfield began the Group B laser run in 9^th with Green five places behind in 14^th.

Green, who is currently the British number 1 at Under 19 level having tasted victory in all three 2017 ranking competitions, consistently moved up the field during the combined running and shooting discipline, being able to ease around the final 800m loop to book her place in the last 36. Like Davison before her, Bousfield, who claimed the silver medal at the British Under 17 British Modern Tetrathlon Championships this season, finished 16^th in the group standings meaning she fancied a slightly anxious wait for the final results. Once again though, 16^th was more than enough to qualify for the final on points and ensured all four Pentathlon GB athletes will take their place on the start line on Friday.

Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB

The competition began in the pool, Bolton Le Sands’ Whitaker and Ampfield’s Budden producing a fantastic performance with their time of 2:00.60 putting them inside the top 10 after the opening discipline of the day.

A slow start in the fencing salle cost the British youngsters dearly in the final reckoning, but good fight and spirit saw them battle back to record 19 victories and 25 defeats, placing them 15^th after the opening two disciplines in Prague.

An impressive laser run from 16-year-old Whitaker and 18-year-old Budden saw them close on many of the teams above them, although only gaining a single place to 14^th. However, sharp shooting and strong running ensured the Championships ended on a positive note for Pentathlon GB athletes.

The day also proved as valuable extra competition for both athletes with British Under 19 Modern Pentathlon Champion Budden still facing a busy summer ahead and British Under 17 Modern Tetrathlon Champion Whitaker still in the Under 17 age group.

Stuart Mason, Pentathlon GB’s Pathway Manager added “The laser run was as good as both athletes are capable of with their running and shooting times all of a high standard. I’m very pleased with their efforts today and we leave Prague in a better shape than we were a few days ago.”

Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB

 The youngsters’ day began in the pool with the 200m swim, both Brits starting strongly with Wycliffe College’s Davison recording a time of 2:14.51 and Plymouth College’s Mitchell a 2:16.80.

A blistering start from 18-year-old Davison meant she was in a four-way tie at the top of the discipline standings halfway through the fencing ranking round. The Gloucestershire athlete maintained her form throughout the second half too, making some fantastic hits on her way to an impressive score of 23 victories with just 12 defeats.

16-year-old Mitchell, who finished as the top British athlete at last month’s Under 17 European Championships in Bulgaria, was around the level fence mark throughout the discipline before finishing with a flourish to ensure a positive score of 18 victories and 17 defeats.

Both British athletes then secured two extra points in the bonus round meaning Davison was in a tie for 2nd with Mitchell 13th heading into the concluding laser run.

The final discipline was always going to be a tough affair at the end of a long day and with many quick runners in the field.  It proved to be the case as Davison crossed the line 24th with Mitchell 28th to bring the girls’ final to an end.

However, it was still a tremendous display from both British athletes on their Under 19 World Championships debut and excellent experience for Mitchell who is still an Under 17 aged athlete.

Reflecting on the day, Pentathlon GB’s Pathway Manager Stuart Mason commented “Both girls produced podium level performances in all disciplines except the run today which is very encouraging.  A special mention goes to Zoe who put together her best swim, fence and shoot but just didn’t have the run to cope with the new generation of runners that we are seeing this year.

“As a team we saw progress today, but also the work that we still need to do and we are confident that this can be achieved.”

Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB

17-year-old Green will head into the event in fine form having topped all three Pentathlon GB Under 19 Ranking Competitions this year. Saddleworth’s Green, who finished 5th at last year’s Under 19 World Championships in Ireland, also tasted victory at the GB Youth International, the first youth international of the season before finishing as the top Brit at an Under 19 European Cup event in Barcelona.

Zoe Davison (Photo: Pentathlon GB)

Wycliffe College’s Davison has also enjoyed a strong year, including marking her senior international debut as the Swiss Women International in March with an impressive 6th place. The 18-year-old is currently 2nd on the Pentathlon GB Under 19 Ranking List having finished 3rd at the GB Youth International and collected team medals at both the Solihull event and European Cup in Barcelona.

Georgina Mitchell and Emma Whitaker will both compete in Prague despite still being in the Under 17 age group. However, both athletes have enjoyed stellar seasons and currently sit 3rd and 5th respectively on the Pentathlon GB Under 19 Ranking List.

Plymouth College’s Mitchell has been in fine form for the past 3 weeks, claiming victory at the British Under 19 Modern Pentathlon Championships before finishing as the top British athlete in 11th at the Under 17 European Championships in forty-degree heat in Bulgaria. The 16-year-old was also part of the bronze medal winning team alongside Green and Davison in Barcelona.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Whitaker has fared particularly well domestically in 2017, winning the British Under 17 Modern Tetrathlon title before claiming bronze at the British Under 19 Modern Pentathlon Championships. Whitaker, who currently trains with City of Lancaster Triathlon and Rossall Pentathlon Academy finished 12th in the Under 17 European Championships at the end of last month, backing up her 6th place finish on home soil 12 months earlier.

Ampfield’s George Budden will lead a youthful boys’ line-up in the Czech capital after a consistent season so far. The 17-year-old finished 8th at the GB Youth International and 7th at the European Cup in Barcelona before tasting victory in the British Under 19 Modern Pentathlon Championships. Budden also made his full modern pentathlon international debut in April, finishing 30th in a strong field at the German Open Championships.

Ashford Modern Pentathlon Club’s James Wilton booked his place in the team with victory at the final Under 19 ranking competition in June, propelling himself into 3rd on the Pentathlon GB ranking list. The 17-year-old has had a strong season after illness interrupted the beginning of his year, enjoying victory at the British Under 19 Modern Tetrathlon Championships before finishing as the 3rd highest Brit at the Barcelona European Cup.

The Pentathlon GB boys’ team will also contain two Under 17 aged athletes in Prague with George Case and Toby Price selected. Both athletes have enjoyed fine starts to 2017 with Leweston Pentathlon Academy’s Case finishing a fantastic 2nd at the GB Youth International in March. Since then, the 15-year-old has tasted victory at the British Under 17 Modern Tetrathlon Championships, claimed silver at the British Under 19 Modern Pentathlon Championships and finished as the top British athlete in 13th at the Under 17 European Championships.

Yorkshire Pentathlon Club’s Price has been consistent throughout 2017, finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the three Under 19 ranking competitions and 1st and 2nd at the two Under 17 Ranking competitions. The 16-year-old also finished as the second highest placed Brit at both the European Cup in Barcelona and last month’s Under 17 European Championships in Bulgaria.

The competition begins with the Girls’ relay on Tuesday 18th July and concludes with the Mixed Relay on Monday 24th July.

Full team:

• Olivia Green, 17, from Saddleworth, Lancashire.
• Zoe Davison, 18, from Stroud, Gloucestershire. Currently training at Wycliffe College.
• Georgina Mitchell, 16, from Warwick. Currently training at Plymouth College Academy.
• Emma Whitaker, 16, from Bolton Le Sands, Lancashire. Currently training at City of Lancaster Triathlon.
• George Budden, 17, from Ampfield, Hampshire.
• George Case, 15, from Bridgehampton, Somerest. Currently training at Leweston Pentathlon Academy.
• James Wilton, 17, from Bethersden, Kent. Currently training at Ashford School Pentathlon Club.
• Toby Price, 16, from Alne, North Yorkshire. Currently training at Yorkshire Pentathlon Club.

Full competition schedule:

• Tuesday 18th July – Girls’ Relay
• Wednesday 19th July – Boys’ Relay
• Thursday 20th July – Girls’ Qualifying
• Friday 21st July – Boys’ Qualifying
• Saturday 22nd July – Girls’ Final
• Sunday 23rd July – Boys’ Final
• Monday 24th July – Mixed Relay

Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB

Pentathlon GB have sent a team to the event for many years with the venue always providing a high quality competition. Following a pair of team medals last year and two relay medals in the 2016 Under 19 European Championships held at the same venue, the crop of 2017 will be looking for further success in Catalonia.

Saddleworth’s Olivia Green (pictured above) will lead the girls’ team, looking to continue her perfect start to the season which has seen the 17 year-old claim victories at National Youth Ranking Competition 1, National Youth Ranking Competition 2 and the GB Youth International. Green will be joined in the girls’ team by Zoe Davison, Georgina Mitchell, Zoe Gowers, Emma Whitaker and Alexandra Bousfield meaning the top 5 athletes on the current Pentathlon GB Under 19 girls ranking list will be competing in Spain, along with Bousfield who only recently returned from injury, impressing by finishing inside the top 10 at the GB Youth International.

All 6 girls in the team have started the season strongly with Stroud’s Davison making her senior debut at the Swiss Women International last month and Warwick’s Mitchell enjoying victory at National Youth Ranking Competition 3 on March 19th. Weymouth’s Gowers won team gold at the GB Youth International earlier this month whilst Bolton le Sands’ Whitaker recorded 4th, 5th and 6th place finishes at this year’s three National Youth Ranking Competitions before winning the Portuguese Under 17 National Championships at the beginning of the month. Meanwhile, Bousfield finished 10th, the fifth highest placed of the British athletes, at the GB Youth International after missing the first two months of 2017.

The boys’ team will contain Toby Price, George Budden, Nicholas Laws, George Case, Josh Hood and Kieran Harby. As with the girls’ team, all 6 athletes have made promising starts to 2017 with Yorkshire’s Price recording three podium finishes – one first, one second and one third – at the three Pentathlon GB National Ranking Competitions. Somerset’s Case produced a fantastic display at the GB Youth international to claim the silver medal with Hampshire’s Budden and Cornwall’s Laws both part of the gold medal winning team at the same event. Hull’s Hood has also performed consistently at each of his competitions so far this season and is currently 4th on the Pentathlon GB Under 19 boys ranking list with Nottinghamshire’s Harby finishing in 5th position at the opening youth ranking competition before unfortunately suffering an injury which meant he was unable to compete in the second event.

The individual Girls’ and Boys’ competitions will be held on Saturday 29th April with a Mixed Relay on Sunday 30th April.

Full Sant Boi Under 19 European Cup team

Girls’ Team

Olivia Green, 17, from Saddleworth, Lancashire.

Georgina Mitchell, 16, originally from Warwick. Currently training at Plymouth College.

Zoe Davison, 18, from Bagpath, Gloucestershire. Currently training at Wycliffe College.

Zoe Gowers, 18, from Weymouth, Dorset. Currently training at Leweston Pentathlon Academy.

Emma Whitaker,15, from Bolton Le Sands, Lancashire. Currently Training at City of Lancaster Triathlon Club (COLT).

Alexandra Bousfield, 15, from Cholesbury, Hertfordshire. Currently training at Dacorum MPC.

Boys’ Team:

Toby Price, 16, from Alne, North Yorkshire. Currently training at Yorkshire Pentathlon Club.

George Budden, 17, from Ampfield, Hampshire.

Nicholas Laws, 16, originally from Truro, Cornwall. Currently training at Millfield School.

George Case, 15, from Bridgehampton, Somerset. Currently training at Leweston Pentathlon Academy.

Joshua Hood, 15, from Hull, East Yorkshire. Currently training at Yorkshire Pentathlon Club.

Kieran Harby, 16, from Blidworth, Nottinghamshire. Currently training at Yorkshire Pentathlon Club.