Team GB Pentathlete Jo Muir from the Haugh of Urr, Dumfries and Galloway has continued her golden 2020 with a second title of the year, as she wins a thrilling final at World Cup 1 in Cairo.
With the gold and silver medals separated by less than a second, and the lead switching twice within the final 400m of the laser run, Muir dug deep, remained composed and delivered a well thought out performance to secure her first ever World Cup triumph. Holding her nerve and remaining calm seemed to be the story of Muir’s day, having essentially found herself riding with just one stirrup for half of her ride earlier in the final.
Following her Gold at the Budapest Indoor in January, Muir’s elation was clear to see as she crossed the line in the number one spot again, and the smiles continued on the podium
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, I can’t quite believe it, to be honest”.
“I had a good fence and my swim was OK, but in the Riding my stirrup snapped halfway round and I couldn’t believe it – I thought ‘the one day when I fence well and I am going to come off my horse’. I was so relieved to get round.”
“In the Laser Run there were lots of quick runners round about me and I tried to stick with them, and not kill myself too early. It could have been anyone’s race.
“I can’t believe it. It feels amazing.”
Women’s Finals – Story of the day
Posting similar times to their qualifying swims both Summers (2:23.18) and Muir (2:16.13) started the competition with solid performances, coming in 23rd and 9th respectively.
Facing a competitive field, a strong performance in the fence was critical to maintaining and improving their positions in the competition. Muir found her feet early and remained consistent through the discipline, clocking up a run of points against key competitors (21V/14D). Meanwhile Summers, who found herself on the back foot after the first few bouts, put on a brilliant demonstration of determination, fighting her way back to finish 11th and just one hit out from her team mate (20V/15D). Neither Brit was able to secure any further points during the fencing bonus round, and following two disciplines both women had climbed up the standings; Muir now in 6th, Summers up to 15th.
In what seemed to be a discipline of two halves, results from the ride ranged from superb clear rounds to multiple eliminations – with several medal contenders – including World champion Silkina (BLR) – losing critical points in the discpline. Summers was the first Brit up, and despite the nervy performances that had preceded her, there was no sign of nerves for our determined Brit. Replicating her calm and elegant performance at the National Ranking earlier in the year, Summers settled well and remained controlled throughout, resulting in a score of 287 (16th). Muir too kept her nerve, and despite her stirrup strap snapping halfway round, finished strongly (and with a smile full of relief) on 286 (17th).
With both sitting within the top 10 (Muir – 6th, Summers – 10th), the race was on for the top spots in the laser run. Summers delivered a solid performance (12:31.87) to cement herself another top 10 World Cup finish (9th), but it was Muir who literally stole the show – and the top spot – after a battle right to the line. With two laps to go, Muir found herself in amongst the top 4 (Oteiza (FRA), Sotero (ITA) and Batashova (RUS)), battling for the bronze medal position with Batashova. With only seconds separating them, an accurate shot was going to prove critical.
Muir delivered, and after initial leaders Oteiza and Sotero both fell foul to the pressure of the range, Muir found herself in a running race for the line against the Russian, who was looking to retain her the gold medal she won in the Egyptian capital 12 months ago. Muir led the final lap, and despite a well-timed tussle on the bend from Batashova, Muir remained composed, dug deep and produced a gold medal worthy sprint finish to secure her best ever World Cup finish.
With the women’s event now complete, the attention turns to the men’s competition, where Myles Pillage will be flying the flag for Pentathlon GB, as the sole British qualifier at World Cup 1, Cairo.
Men’s Final – Story of the day
With the competition still buzzing about Muir’s sprint finish and excellent Gold medal from the day before, Myles Pillage (the sole British qualifier for the Men’s final) took delight in setting out his stall early in the pool, unsurprisingly posting the fastest time in the pool (1:54.80) – a full 5 seconds faster than his qualifying time.
Following his excellent start, Pillage’s competition began to come undone in the fencing, where the 22-year-old found himself on the wrong side of several results (11/24) falling to 25th overall. A clean ride was going to prove crucial to the Brit’s competition.
With expectations of an excellent ride predicted, Pillage fell foul to the commentator’s curse, and the accomplished rider found himself in trouble as he struggled to settle on his horse and found himself eliminated after two heavy falls. Despite being eliminated, the British athlete got back on the horse and stoically rode it out of the arena.
Sitting in 34th, Pillage had a tough challenge ahead, as he essentially tackled the laser run course solo (due to the distance between himself and his nearest competitors). Nevertheless, he put on a determined display (12:14.90) and will chalk up the competition (and his 35th place finish) as an experience to build from for sure.
Next up for the Pentathlon GB athletes, will be World Cup 2 in Sofia, Bulgaria (24th-28th March).
One partner. No competitors. Visible across local sport.
