Pentathlon News
Long Season Ends with another Silver Liningposted by Dominic Mahony on21-11-2006
The longest season in recent memory ended on a high for Britain's women at the World Championships in Guatemala today when they secured their second silver medal in three days in the team relay competition. Ahead of them were the all-conquering team from Poland, who won their third gold medal of the championships, with Russia in third place.
A solid start in shooting was followed by a strong performance in fencing with both Georgie Harland and Lindsey Weedon scoring 25 victories and just 11 defeats as Britain moved up to 4th place overall. Progress continued in the 3 x 100m swim and they lay third going into one of their traditionally strong events, the riding, level on points with China and 96 points behind Russia.
Despite just two rails down show-jumping, Poland went better with a perfect 1200 point score and set off across country sixteen seconds behind leaders Russia with Britain a further seven seconds back in third place. Brave running by both Mhairi Spence, who was completing her fourth major championship this season senior and junior, and Weedon on the second leg, made little impression on the leaders until Georgie Harland ran down Mouratova of Russia to clinch silver for Britain on the last lap. Well ahead of her was Maloszyc of Poland who brought her team home to take the gold medal. "Today was one of those days when you have to pay respect to your opponents, commented Harland. We hardly put a foot wrong all day, and yet the Poles were one better.
It is terrific to see all team members winning medals here this week said Jan Bartu, National Performance Director. Today was a really good day, especially in fencing and these girls now deserve a break after a long hard season.
Britain"s team of Nick Woodbridge, Sam Weale and Ben Mclean compete tomorrow (Tue 21 Nov 06) in the mens team relay.
Full Results table available at www.pentatlonmoderno.com
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