Pentathlon WC Sofia 2024

Name: Pentathlon WC Sofia 2024
Uploaded: 2024-05-10T09:55:34+00:00
Duration: 1 h 45 min 42 s
Channel: UIPM TV
Description: Women's Semi Final A

00:00:00 [Music]

00:00:07 Well, hello and welcome to Sofia, Bulgaria for the fourth World Cup of the 2024

00:00:16 Pentathlon season. It's women's semifinals day. The best 18 athletes from the women's

00:00:25 event so far will be decided today and will be promoted to the final, which will be on Sunday

00:00:32 at this event, Super Sunday, we're rebranding it. The weather has not been kind to the

00:00:38 athletes here in Sofia. It is pelting it down with rain, which has made for some very wet

00:00:45 and tricky conditions on the running track. We'll come back to that in a moment. Let's

00:00:48 take a look at the new format, which starts with qualifications where the athlete numbers

00:00:52 are reduced to two groups of 18 with semifinal A and B taking place. After the semifinals

00:00:56 we're left with the 18 best athletes who contest in the final. The event taking place over

00:01:01 a condensed 90-minute duration. Five disciplines with 18 athletes up against each other and

00:01:06 competing for those medals. Well, today is of course semifinals day, so there's no riding

00:01:11 but the riding rules points scoring system on your screens now. We'll go into great detail

00:01:15 later in the competition. It's then over to the fencing bonus round for the one-on-one

00:01:22 bouts with the conclusion of the fencing action. Two points for every victory. Gone a bit of

00:01:27 run, you can pick up some good points. Then it's off to the pool for the heats of 200m

00:01:33 freestyle. Here in Sofia it's a 50m pool. We then conclude with the ever dramatic laser

00:01:39 run, which is of course five laps of the 600m circuit with four laser shooting rounds where

00:01:44 the athletes have to shoot the five targets. The first over the finish line as always is

00:01:51 the winner. This is the new format. It's brutal, it's ruthless and it's unapologetic. Welcome

00:01:58 everyone to Modern Pentathlon 2024 and it's Olympic year, so strap yourselves in and enjoy

00:02:06 the journey. These are the Olympic rankings and as you can see, Corenza Bryson is having

00:02:13 the season of her life. But if you see the little Q next to the athletes' names, that

00:02:17 means that they've already qualified. An extra nine spots up for grabs due to the Olympic

00:02:23 qualifications. So those athletes a bit further down in with a chance of making their way

00:02:29 up those rankings and getting themselves an all-important spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic

00:02:38 Games. We cannot wait to get underway here in Sofia. Let's just take a quick look back

00:02:47 though at the fencing ranking rounds. And we'll take a little bit of a rundown as to

00:02:56 who has scored what. You can see Samart Maksud up against Blanka Guzi. There's Elodie Clouvel

00:03:02 who's having a solid event so far. But of course yesterday was the ranking round and

00:03:07 it's so important. But it's semi-final A we're focusing on at the moment. Malena Zhe Wade,

00:03:11 wow, what a fencing ranking round she has had. 25 victories. Yevasera Pignate who was

00:03:18 a gold medalist in Albania in Bulgaria in 2022. She's in second place. Jessica Varley,

00:03:25 she is going to be one to watch. That is a dangerous position for Jessica Varley. Our

00:03:29 Olympic gold medalist, Kate French, is back as well. It's actually a real interesting

00:03:33 battle to see which one of the British athletes qualifies for the Olympic Games. But there

00:03:38 we go. Those are your athletes and they are all vying for a place inside the top nine.

00:03:47 Let's welcome Elida van der Merwe to the commentary box. For the first time since Bali for the

00:03:53 Biathlon Triathlon World Championships. Elida, good to have you back. Welcome to a rather

00:03:58 drizzly Sofia. Yeah, thank you very much, James. And I think we're all looking forward

00:04:02 to this World Cup. It's the last of the four World Cups and athletes will really be trying

00:04:07 their best to get all the points that they can. So it will be a good one to watch. Just

00:04:12 a word on yourself. You're no longer competing in the sport as things stand, are you? You're

00:04:16 focusing on your studies back in South Africa? Yeah. So just recently started studying back

00:04:21 in South Africa after my injury and yeah, change of lifestyle, I guess, from sport all day

00:04:27 and now just studying all day and picked up fencing on the side. So that will always be

00:04:31 a part of me, I guess, a bit of the sport. Still keeping my foot in that door. So here

00:04:37 we still have, I'm still here, keeping that foot in the door. So I think it's great to

00:04:41 be part of the sport. Well, good to have you here with us in Sofia. Good to have your fencing

00:04:45 knowledge as well as we head into our first live discipline of the event here in Sofia

00:04:51 at World Cup 4. It's of course the fencing bonus round, the conclusion of the fencing

00:04:56 action. It's Weronika Novotna versus Anna Malashevska, both with 190 and it's all about

00:05:01 getting into that battle for the top nine. Malashevska to the left, Novotna to the right.

00:05:07 20 seconds left on the clock there and Malashevska just slowly trying to find a way past Novotna.

00:05:16 Novotna will have to get something here and she gets the touch. It's a bit of an unclear

00:05:23 touch there but it seems as if Novotna got that point. Counter attack. Next up will be

00:05:32 Andrea from Spain. Andrea Medina Gonzalez had a good competition in the previous World

00:05:43 Cup in Budapest making a final for the first time. So congratulations to Andrea Medina

00:05:51 Gonzalez. She's a very enthusiastic athlete. She made it to the semi-finals now at a couple

00:06:00 of events and I think she's probably done enough to get her way through to World Cup

00:06:04 final which is what all these athletes are vying for. If it's not for the Olympics I

00:06:09 think they'll also be fighting for their World Cup final and score some valuable points there

00:06:13 too. Yeah and there's still a chance to qualify by the way even for the likes of the athletes

00:06:19 a little bit further down the standings. Novotna then with those two extra points from

00:06:24 that first fish she took. So Andrea will be the priority and it's a double touch so that's

00:06:32 no point in the fencing. Andrea. Yeah the touch goes to Medina Gonzalez. You can see that

00:06:47 that just knocks her up the rankings. She jumps above Xiangming Xiang. Xiangming Xiang

00:06:56 has not had a good fencing ranking round. She is down in 15th place. Xiangming Xiang

00:07:06 is a silver medalist in Ankara. So Medina Gonzalez and Xiangming Xiang. Andrea will

00:07:27 be having to make an attack with this as Xiangming Xiang has the priority here so she will be

00:07:32 preparing her attack. No touch for the two athletes.

00:07:39 Into that final five seconds in. Medina Gonzalez with a double. Her points all but Xiang gets

00:07:56 the touch in those last few minutes, last few moments shall I say of that bout and puts

00:08:02 her back above Medina Gonzalez but they're both level on 1.97. The pressure is really

00:08:08 on here in the bonus round. The athlete without priority has to find that right time for her

00:08:14 attack and just the nerves are there when you're on the bonus round. It's your one chance

00:08:19 to get that extra point. Now we have Rebecca Castaldi, also a promising athlete.

00:08:28 Castaldi is becoming a very consistent figure at World Cups. Here in Sofia. She's through

00:08:38 to the semi-final. She's a junior world champion, a junior European champion as well. Mixing

00:08:47 it now amongst the elite in this sport and looking to try and make a final for the first

00:08:53 time this year. She's currently 15 points behind Cate French in ninth place. I think

00:09:01 a bit of uncertainty here with the point but they will start from where they stopped. So

00:09:10 we just have to reset the clock here. So I think what happened was Xiangming Xiang attacked.

00:09:19 No point to the side. Doud 16 then. Castaldi versus Xiang. Xiang with a victory to her

00:09:28 name so far. Double touch with 12 to go. 12 seconds on the clock then. Final 10. Flash

00:09:55 forward by Castaldi. Rebecca is there on the back line of the piece so she will have to

00:10:08 be careful of that back line. I can see Xiangming Xiang is attempting to push her towards the

00:10:14 back. Scrappy bout this. Five to go. And still no touch. It's a strange bout this one isn't

00:10:33 it? Yeah, a lot of uncertainty that's happening. And eventually Castaldi gets the touch and

00:10:40 you can hear the delight from Castaldi and those watching on. I must say Castaldi has

00:10:47 sharpened up her fencing over the years. She was a very promising laser run athlete starting

00:10:52 at the bottom of the field and we see her winning medals then. So in this position do

00:10:58 you think top nine is still possible for her? I mean I think for today just qualifying for

00:11:04 the finals I think she could make it. I think she's been hungry for making a final so we

00:11:10 could see her today. But with that said Blanca Guzzi is also a fantastic runner. Who's up

00:11:17 next? Yeah, she's got some quick runners in front of her hasn't she? Blanca Guzzi who

00:11:21 we can see on the piece now. Gold medalist from Budapest in 2023. She's been struggling

00:11:27 for this year but I think she's in a good position to qualify for the final and Blanca

00:11:32 Guzzi can be dangerous from anywhere in the field. Rebecca Castaldi versus Blanca Guzzi.

00:11:37 Some fast runners by the way knocking on the door of those top nine positions. We of course

00:11:41 have no riding today which means things won't get mixed up like they would do in the final.

00:11:46 There's the attack from Castaldi. No touch. Just 2.6 to go. Castaldi has to attack now.

00:12:01 It's not very clear touches we are getting here but it is a bit stressful. Is it a time

00:12:07 up? I think there's 0.02. She might as well just let the clock tick down at this point.

00:12:16 I think she will. Are there retakes in the clock? And I think at that stage Blanca could

00:12:21 also just do a step back and it will be an inherited priority. Let's see how things play out.

00:12:31 I must say I do hope that this piece doesn't get as much rain in as in Ankara. I think

00:12:47 that caused a lot of problems in the bonus round.

00:12:51 So a bit of a painful wait there whilst we watch the clock tick down from 0 but it's

00:13:11 back down to 1.7. And I think Castaldi has got the touch. That's unbelievable. A roar

00:13:19 from Castaldi. A roar from Castaldi as she manages to find a way past Guzzi with milliseconds

00:13:27 of the bout to go. That is great perseverance from the French athlete and she gets her touch

00:13:33 and gets her award and picks up those couple of extra points. And that could be significant

00:13:36 by the way. She now moves on to 2 of 8. It's 2.15 for Cape French and then there's a bit

00:13:41 of a gap from the top 8 onwards. So yeah, Castaldi needs to keep trying to get these

00:13:47 points here. Yeah, but I must say from the fencing ranking round I think all the way

00:13:53 from 6th position to 14th they're only about 15 points away. So there's a lot that can

00:14:01 change. Swimming will mix things up a bit as well. Right, Castaldi now trying to keep

00:14:06 this run going. Van Karskati is next. Van Karskati is a very good runner as well. So

00:14:11 we've got some very quick runners in that lower end which could really mix things up.

00:14:15 Castaldi with two victories to her name so far. She's fired up and pumped. She might

00:14:19 take some beating here. Into those final 10 seconds we go and Castaldi is on a roll. She

00:14:26 picks up a third consecutive victory and this is probably the most pumped I've seen

00:14:31 Castaldi on the fencing bonus round piece. Good stuff, good form from Castaldi. Yeah,

00:14:36 I think if we see her pumped up like this, I cannot wait to see how she'll be on the

00:14:40 Laser Run. Next up is Maria Johana from Estonia. Also one of the younger athletes.

00:15:01 Showing her performance here on the Senior World Cup stage. Might I add also a promising

00:15:08 Laser Run athlete. Here we go then. Castaldi versus Johana Maria Jogesu. As you mentioned

00:15:17 there, an exciting Laser Run athlete. So we've got some really interesting quick running

00:15:25 athletes in and around the top nine. This is turning out like it could be quite an exciting

00:15:31 battle come the end of the semi-final. Double touch and Castaldi thought she'd done it again.

00:15:38 Looking to make it eight points for Castaldi who is rising up the ranking. She's now on

00:15:45 2.13, just two points behind Kate Francis who put her in joint ninth place. Significant

00:15:51 bout this one. Double touch with four to go but never rule out Rebecca Castaldi. She got

00:15:56 a touch in the final few tenths of the second bout she won against Blanca Guzzi. She's going

00:16:02 to have to try and do it again. The clock stopped on 0.5 and I think this could be the

00:16:09 end of Castaldi's run. Surely not even she can do it with half a second to go. She's

00:16:13 got to launch herself forward. There we go. No touch. The priority rule comes in. I think

00:16:22 it was just a matter of finding the right timing for that. I mean Castaldi has, she

00:16:26 did do a solid effort without having the priority. She knew she had to attack for those points

00:16:33 and it was Johanna Maria who with the wind. I've been a little bit overly generous to

00:16:41 Castaldi but I put her a little bit higher than she's actually on 206 points. She has

00:16:47 climbed up and she went above Gwen Cascati but she's still a little bit of a way behind

00:16:53 Kate French. Valeria Permikina is next up on the stage before we go into the top nine.

00:17:00 Was fourth in the 2012 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest. Twelfth in Ankara. So just missing

00:17:09 out on a medal in Budapest. Permikina versus Yogesu. And the touch again for Yogesu who

00:17:27 doubles her money. It's four points. Stunning counter attack from Yogesu. Just on the defensive

00:17:34 side there. Yep. Timed that perfectly Yogesu. So it's a return for the Olympic gold medalist

00:17:51 Kate French who has been fairly vacant from the sport since winning gold. She's won a

00:17:58 whole host of medals by the way. And went on an incredible run before winning the Olympic

00:18:08 gold in Tokyo. Wasn't off the podium from World Cup final 2021 onwards basically. Just

00:18:18 had an amazing run and looking to try and refine that form and try and qualify herself

00:18:25 for the Olympics. But it's unbelievable the competition in that British team. Corenza

00:18:29 Bryson, Kate French, Jessica Varley, Olivia Green, not to mention Charlie Follett and

00:18:35 Emma Whittaker. So into this last few seconds now. No touch. Or was there? I think there

00:18:45 was. I think yep. So. Kate French was a master of fencing in her prime a couple of years

00:18:51 ago. Setting a world record of 31 victories. I think it's fair to say to consider as a

00:18:58 MVP player. As a MVP player? Yeah I agree. Yeah. I think so. MVP fencer. But she's obviously

00:19:08 refinding her form. She's taken a break from the sport and you don't just. Yeah. With reason

00:19:15 though. I think it was good. Yeah. Everyone needs a break from things. And here she's

00:19:19 back on Olympic year. Do you think she's going to qualify? It's going to be difficult. She's

00:19:23 got to get above some very accomplished British athletes. Yeah. Olivia Green took bronze in

00:19:30 European Championships last year, which qualified a spot for Great Britain. Corenza Bryson took

00:19:36 a bronze at World Championships. Oh stunning touch there just under the hand there for

00:19:42 Kate. Two victories for French then as she climbs a little bit higher and puts a bit

00:19:49 of a gap between herself and the chasing bunch. Kate French is an all-rounder really. She's

00:19:57 possibly a little bit slower in the pool but she's a great rider. Great laser runner and

00:20:02 obviously a great fencer as well. Eunju Kim up next. We don't have the likes of Elena

00:20:15 McKellie and Michelle Gouyash. Yuan Gu from China is replacing Eunju Kim next on the piece

00:20:28 and does end the run of Kate French. So that's a great touch there from Gouyash who was eighth

00:20:44 in the 2019 Pentathlon World Championships in the team relay women, was third in the

00:20:54 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina. And has come back to one Pentathlon with a

00:21:03 very good run of results in ranking rounds. She picked up 225 which is 10 points off of

00:21:12 second place in the semifinal. Next up is Amira Kandil from Egypt. Amira Andal has had

00:21:22 some mixed results this year. She's not quite found her fencing form yet. But when she has

00:21:29 that fencing form it's on the top. She's one of the best in the world. Her laser run sort

00:21:35 of peeks out in the back end of the shooting. Yeah, she loses energy sort of halfway through

00:21:42 the laser run but looking to try and get herself into the final. Gets the touch then past Yuan

00:21:51 Gu. Lunges for that point there from Amira. So Andal wins. Next up it is Karolina Krenkova.

00:22:06 Krenkova bronze at the N24 European Championships in 2020. Fifth place overall after getting

00:22:14 230 points in the fencing ranking round. Even the Czech Republic team has shown some promising

00:22:26 athletes over the years. Especially with the women. I mean Lucy and... Yeah, Veronica Novotka

00:22:32 picked up a silver in Albano in 2022. Krenkova versus Andal. Andal with one victory to her

00:22:41 name. That's moved her on to 232. Double touch, 17 to go. So Amira will be searching for that

00:22:54 right timing for her attack which she is well known for. Five to go. Andal tries to go for

00:23:03 that attack but she's not quite found the right timing. A leader, a leader two there.

00:23:08 Andal versus Krenkova, three to go. Double touch. Andal is just struggling to find that

00:23:17 timing there. But she has one lost chance for the time. Oh and a clock tick sounds zero.

00:23:23 Krenkova does get the priority in the end. It's been a couple of priorities kicked in

00:23:29 haven't we? I mean it is quite a tactic if you have priority. Just push them forward

00:23:33 to the other side of the piece and just wait for them to come in. Just keep going back

00:23:37 and back. I think it's especially if you know the fencer and know what they usually do

00:23:42 and their range of moves that they do. It's a definite advantage isn't it to have that

00:23:47 priority because you can play with your opponent a little bit more. You can dictate the pace

00:23:51 of the bout a little bit more. Yeah. So I think so far the highest we've got in a row

00:24:02 is three wins in a row. Yeah, Rebecca Castaldi takes the victory as things stand in terms

00:24:08 of having the best results from fencing bonus rounds. Salma Abdel Maksoud is next. Abdel

00:24:18 Maksoud on 2.30. Abdel Maksoud was 15th in Ankara, bronze in Cairo. Was a bronze medalist

00:24:27 in Budapest last year. Krenkov against the touch. So two wins now for Krenkov into the

00:24:39 top three. Jessica Vali has had mixed results over the past few years. Took a, if I remember

00:24:48 myself correctly, I think it was a silver in World Cup final. Silver in World Cup final

00:24:52 but gold in the World Cup in Ankara. It was actually just two weeks spaced apart. So that

00:24:59 was a season. A really solid result. Wow, this is where this battle for the Olympic

00:25:09 qualification for the Team GB women gets really interesting. You feel Corenza Bryson is as

00:25:14 good as there. She's had an incredible year. She's put together incredible results. But

00:25:19 that second spot is being battled now by Olivia Green, by Jessica Vali, by Kate French, by

00:25:25 Emma Whittaker, Charlie Follett as well. But Vali and Krenkov are now with the double title.

00:25:31 Krenkov goes for the foot again but just misses there. She'll have to do another tactic if

00:25:36 she wants to go for the next point. You feel probably Charlie Follett has now fallen out

00:25:42 of that internal battle. Yeah, I think they all stand a chance to be fair. But I think

00:25:50 Charlie Follett hasn't qualified for World Cup final so the chances are possibly run

00:25:56 out. But there's still a good chance for those athletes at this event. Double such. You feel

00:26:02 Vali probably needs a medal. But also the top three of each nation can qualify for World

00:26:09 Cup final. Krenkov with the touch. Yes, it is a third victory now for Krenkov who moves

00:26:22 up into second place. But even with Jessica falling out there, she will keep her spot

00:26:29 there with her laser run. Yeah, you can start to look at that top nine and start to work

00:26:36 out who you think will make it safely through. Jessica Vali is one of those athletes. I think

00:26:41 from Marlene Joade's point of view, she's got an opportunity here. Really a good opportunity.

00:26:46 Yeva Serebryany from that position as well looks dangerous. Yeah, I mean Marlene is about

00:26:52 20, 15 points ahead already. Been a couple of medals for Yeva in Bulgaria. One was a

00:27:00 gold in Albania in 2022. She won bronze here last year. Karenza Bryson was the gold medalist

00:27:07 there. She's not at this event to defend her crown. Krenkov with three victories to her

00:27:10 name so far. Yeva Serebryany looking to get herself into the final. She's not had the

00:27:14 best run of results so far this year, but this is looking like a good competition for

00:27:17 her. But Krenkov makes it four victories and goes out as now the highest ranked athlete

00:27:23 with four victories in fencing. Bonus round. She's actually closing in a little bit on

00:27:29 Marlene Joade who has had a very good competition here. 250 points, which was 24 touches in

00:27:36 the fencing ranking round. Joade is in a good place.

00:27:40 Yeah, no promising performance from Krenkov doing her fencing to the book.

00:27:55 Marlene Joade then with the opportunity to pick up four points now as the highest ranked

00:27:59 athlete.

00:28:00 Here we go. Final bout. Krenkov with four wins to her name, looking to make it double

00:28:10 figures, looking to close that gap on Joade in first place by even more. Joade looking

00:28:17 to claim back four points. Still Krenkov would have a four point advantage from fencing.

00:28:24 Bonus round. But this effectively becomes almost an eight pointer and Krenkov gets the

00:28:29 touch and makes it double figures. It's five for Karolina Krenkov. That is a solid return

00:28:37 and she'll be over the moon with that. Yeah, no, that was quite a performance from Krenkov.

00:28:43 I think she just from the start, she had an idea of what she wanted to do. I think that's

00:28:52 the biggest thing with the fencing. You sort of have to tell yourself what you want to

00:28:56 go for and just execute it to your best. Let's take a look at the standings then after the

00:29:05 points from fencing. Bonus round are added to the ranking round scores. Joade has a ten

00:29:11 point advantage over Krenkov who has made up ten points. Moving up from 230 to 240.

00:29:16 Serapinny 18th and third. Andl in fourth place. Vali in fifth. Abdulmukhsud in sixth.

00:29:22 Gu in seventh. Kim in eighth. And French in ninth place. 219 is the score the athletes

00:29:29 further down will be looking to gain on. Yogosu picked up a couple of extra wins.

00:29:35 Permakina in 11th. Kostaudi in 12th. Van Karskati in 13th. Guzi in 14th.

00:29:42 Xiong in 15th place. Smirnik and Gonzalev in 16th. Novotna in 17th place. Malashevskaya in 18th.

00:29:49 That concludes fencing. Bonus round. We'll be back in a moment's time with the swimming.

00:29:54 Let's just take a look back at the fencing highlights.

00:29:56 [MUSIC]

00:30:06 [MUSIC]

00:30:16 [MUSIC]

00:30:41 Welcome back to Sofia for Women's Semifinals Day. We are in the midst of Semifinal A.

00:30:47 We've just completed the fencing bonus round and we'll soon be moving to the swimming pool for the swimming action.

00:30:55 Let's take a look then at what happens in Pentathlon and what we're heading towards,

00:30:59 which is of course the 200m freestyle in the 50m pool here in Sofia, Bulgaria.

00:31:05 Two and a half minutes gets you 250 points. Every second you drop will take two points off your score.

00:31:11 This can shuffle up the pack quite a bit. And there it is.

00:31:14 The swimming pool venue is in play and about to get us underway with, of course,

00:31:25 the first of three swimming heats as is demonstrated in the new formats.

00:31:30 So you can see the athletes and coaches just getting themselves into position ahead of the start of the swimming.

00:31:43 And we will, of course, have those three swimming heats to bring you live coverage of here from Sofia, Bulgaria.

00:31:53 We're going to have an interview with an athlete in a moment's time.

00:31:56 Seven minutes on the clock until the start of the swimming discipline.

00:32:18 So we are just a few moments away from the swimming, about seven minutes to go.

00:32:27 But before we get to the swimming, let's catch up with Anna Jurt from Switzerland to hear her thoughts on the transition from fencing to swimming.

00:32:37 Well, Anna Jurt, good to speak to you. Here we are in Sofia, obviously discussing the transition between fencing and swimming.

00:32:45 What's it like for you as an athlete, getting yourself ready for the pool, getting yourself in the right mind frame?

00:32:50 How does that all work for you?

00:32:52 Well, I think you said it right. It's all about the mindset. You have to switch very quickly.

00:32:57 And also with the swimming, 200 metres is full of lactate. So you have to shake out and get yourself ready.

00:33:03 And also I think it's quite different to what it's usually to be like shooting with all of the lactate in your arms.

00:33:10 So it's all about getting yourself ready, shake out the lactate and then go to the shooting range.

00:33:16 And even though you will maybe miss one or two, don't get nervous and try to do it again.

00:33:23 And then with the right mindset, I think you're totally able to do it.

00:33:27 But it's all about seeing where you came from and then being ready for the rides.

00:33:34 I think this is an interesting topic of conversation. It's the mental aspect of getting yourself ready for different disciplines.

00:33:41 And it's not something I think people watching at home necessarily will be aware of.

00:33:44 They'll just see athletes changing and warming up and running and stretching ahead of the swimming.

00:33:50 But actually it's about switching your brain from one sport to the other.

00:33:54 Yeah, exactly. I think that's kind of like the most important thing to do in pentathlon.

00:33:59 Also, for example, I'm not the best swimmer, so I cannot be depressed after swimming because I haven't done my best.

00:34:06 Or I know that I'm not in front after swimming.

00:34:09 So it's really about switching your mind and then be ready and give it your best.

00:34:16 And as you said before in the previous competition, in pentathlon you never know.

00:34:21 So it's finished when it's finished. And you have to be ready to fight.

00:34:25 Yeah, it's an interesting point, isn't it?

00:34:28 You mentioned yourself that swimming is not your strongest discipline.

00:34:31 Does that mean that you are able to sacrifice a bit of time in the pool, which you can then make up from laser run or fencing or from another discipline?

00:34:39 Do you sacrifice a bit of time in the pool?

00:34:42 Yeah, well, I think people think because I'm not that fast it's not as hard.

00:34:46 But it's very hard for me as well. And I'm longer swimming, so it's even harder.

00:34:52 But I don't think it's easier if you're swimming slower.

00:34:58 But I think because I know I have a good running and shooting, it's maybe helping me a little bit in swimming.

00:35:04 Because I know even with a bad swimming I can make it up in running.

00:35:08 So it's all about mindset and getting yourself ready.

00:35:13 And here in Sofia it's a 50-meter pool. Does that change how you prepare or is it much the same?

00:35:20 I think it changes a little bit because you no longer have those many turns.

00:35:25 And the turns make it more dynamic, the whole race.

00:35:28 But it's 200 meters, you have to swim the same distance anyways.

00:35:34 But I think it's more about getting in that rhythm even though there are no more that many turns.

00:35:42 So I think it's more difficult maybe to stay in the rhythm, to stay high.

00:35:47 But if you have a good mindset, you can do it anyways.

00:35:52 Cool. Well, listen, thank you very much for your time. I appreciate it.

00:35:54 Thank you.

00:35:55 Bye.

00:35:56 Bye. Thank you.

00:35:57 Anna Jert, who we've been leaning quite heavily on in the past couple of weeks for these pre-swimming interviews.

00:36:04 Because simply, Alida, she's just a very good talker.

00:36:07 She's a good ambassador for the sport and she's someone that you wish only the best for.

00:36:11 Anna Jert talked to us yesterday.

00:36:13 Yeah, definitely. I think she is a promising athlete.

00:36:17 You get to learn your competitors over the year.

00:36:20 And I've learned from her that she's such a hard worker.

00:36:24 And I really just hope for the best for her.

00:36:28 So just been informed there is an issue with the start list,

00:36:36 which has resulted in a delay to the start of swimming, which is not obviously what we want to see.

00:36:44 But I'm sure that the organisers working hard behind the scenes here will do their best to fix that.

00:36:53 We should also keep in mind, athletes had, I think, an hour of warm up time, a general warm up time.

00:36:59 So we will see a few athletes doing in-between warm ups just to activate them.

00:37:04 Would you want that extra time? Would you prefer to have a delay?

00:37:10 I think it's finding that fine balance between controlling your nerves

00:37:14 and also just maybe getting a bit more rest time in between.

00:37:20 I mean, we would all like a bit more recovery time in between our races.

00:37:24 Because let's also not forget, athletes were also competing yesterday just to try and make it to the semifinals.

00:37:29 So it's a hard ask on the body and just maintaining that energy throughout the whole week.

00:37:36 Yeah, it's a tough sport this. And the athletes have obviously had to adapt.

00:37:41 And you've seen the sport changing in the past couple of years, just in the way athletes do compete.

00:37:49 Swimming's a different beast these days than it used to be.

00:37:54 You can see Jessica Valli just getting those last few stretches in.

00:37:59 She's in a good position as things stand. She will be one to watch.

00:38:04 We don't doubt as the competition ticks closer towards getting back under weather.

00:38:10 We are understanding that there is going to be a delay.

00:38:14 [MUSIC]

00:38:19 [MUSIC]

00:38:48 So we understand that there's going to be a delay,

00:38:51 but we're not getting too much information in the commentary box.

00:38:54 So we will obviously keep you updated once we know more.

00:39:01 It's also a bit of a walk to the swimming pool.

00:39:05 So there could also be people or officials walking their way through and setting up.

00:39:10 I think it's a start list issue actually. We've been informed it's a start list issue.

00:39:16 So there's a bit of a walk between the venues,

00:39:19 but we understand the delay is coming from a start list issue.

00:39:23 So we'll be back in a minute.

00:39:27 So it's not a traditional start list as we would have seen.

00:39:30 I think athletes are put into their heats according to their ranking throughout the competition.

00:39:38 So the highest ranked athletes will be in the last heat.

00:39:49 Becca Castaldi just vibing to the right of your screen there.

00:39:56 She's an entertainer, isn't she?

00:39:59 She is quite a character. I think she's ready for today.

00:40:02 She's pumped.

00:40:04 She is showing up today.

00:40:06 She's going to the final actually. She looks like she is.

00:40:21 OK folks, we have got a bit of a delay,

00:40:22 so we are going to catch up with another one of the athletes.

00:40:25 Sofia Cabrera is standing by the pool.

00:40:30 Well, Sofia, we're here in Sofia, just outside the pool.

00:40:34 We're discussing obviously the transition from fencing to swimming.

00:40:38 As an athlete, just talk to us about the challenges of getting yourself from the fencing hall,

00:40:43 out of your fencing gear and ready for swimming.

00:40:45 Is it something that's a difficult part of the competition?

00:40:48 Yeah, it's more difficult during the semifinals because you have to do it really fast.

00:40:54 Also during the qualifications it's hard because fencing is really a physical sport.

00:40:59 Maybe it doesn't seem like it, but it's very physical and you have to use a lot of power in your legs.

00:41:04 And then coming for the swimming, you have to use a lot of power in your legs and your arms,

00:41:08 so it's really hard.

00:41:10 And then also of course you have laser run to consider as well,

00:41:13 so it's a lot of physical exertion on your body and something you have to manage as an athlete.

00:41:18 Yeah, I have to manage it.

00:41:19 It depends on how well I do on the fencing, I can manage my swimming.

00:41:23 I will say, "Okay, I will not do as fast as the last 50, so I can save power in my legs."

00:41:29 But if I don't do so well in the fencing, I have to swim really hard and then I have to run really hard.

00:41:34 So yeah, it's hard to manage.

00:41:36 Interesting. So you will actually, the pace in which you swim is dictated by how the competition has gone.

00:41:42 Yeah, sometimes.

00:41:43 So just to sort of recap on that, if you've not fenced as well,

00:41:46 then you will have to make up some time in the pool.

00:41:49 So you look at that as an opportunity to make up some time?

00:41:51 Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I have to make a lot of effort.

00:41:54 I cannot lose two or three seconds in the swimming, so I need to push there.

00:42:00 And it depends on which part of the race you're in as well,

00:42:02 because you mentioned there the final 50 metres might be where you hold back a little bit.

00:42:06 So you will save a bit of energy towards the end of the swim, looking ahead to laser run. Is that right?

00:42:11 Yeah, yeah. So the first three 50s, it's not so hard on the legs.

00:42:17 The last 50 for me, personally, it's super hard on the legs, because I have to kick more.

00:42:22 So if I'm good in the fencing, I don't have to kick as much, just the arms.

00:42:26 Because in the laser run, I don't use the arms as much.

00:42:29 So I try to use my arms during the last 50, and then I consider using my legs or not.

00:42:35 So whilst you're in the pool, your brain is calculating effectively which part of the swim you need to be giving it extra energy.

00:42:42 So there's a lot of thought process involved in pentathlon.

00:42:44 Yeah, actually, I do it before. I prepare my swimming race before.

00:42:50 In the transition, the 10 minutes we have, or the hour we have, I try to make my swimming plan before.

00:42:57 And you sit down with your coach as well, and you have a discussion?

00:43:00 Yeah, we used to do it more often. Now that I'm an older athlete and more professional,

00:43:06 I can choose. We don't talk so much about my plan anymore.

00:43:10 Just like when I do really bad, and we need to adjust some things there.

00:43:14 So that 10 minute transition, it's more than just getting yourself ready.

00:43:19 Yeah, it's mentally.

00:43:20 It's mentally preparing yourself as well.

00:43:21 Yeah, it's not just changing. It's like changing your focus and remembering your plan and knowing what you have to do.

00:43:28 Super interesting stuff. Thank you for your time. Good luck.

00:43:30 Thank you.

00:43:31 Appreciate you.

00:43:32 Thank you. Bye.

00:43:33 Yeah, great interview that with Sofia Cabrera, who gives us quite an informative insight into the swimming discipline.

00:43:43 Yeah, and I think she's really touched up upon the psychological aspect of the sport,

00:43:50 and having to detach yourself or change your mindset from the fencing,

00:43:55 and change it now, how you're going to approach the swimming.

00:43:59 How are you going to save your energy, like what she said, if she's in that position,

00:44:04 or how is she going to give everything that she could.

00:44:09 Yeah, I think, and then going from there to the laser run, where that's then two disciplines in one,

00:44:15 where you also have to have a whole different mindset for the running, giving it your all,

00:44:19 or maybe keeping that pace, and then to the shooting, where you have to resent yourself and just focus on shot for shot.

00:44:25 So she's really touched up upon the psychological aspects of the sport, which is a big ask for us athletes.

00:44:33 Yeah, nice analysis there from Elida Vandermeule, who's joining us throughout this event here in Sofia, Bulgaria.

00:44:41 So yeah, there is some technical issues going on behind the scenes here,

00:45:09 which is why we've not got to swimming. So apologies in the delay in the broadcast.

00:45:15 Obviously, the new format is all about being fast and frantic and keeping that momentum going.

00:45:22 But these things do happen. So bear with us whilst we get to the bottom.

00:45:27 Swimming has been delayed due to technical issues.

00:45:33 Will this disrupt the momentum of the athletes or will they benefit from this break?

00:45:40 I think, like I said, the more time you can get to recover, I think the best.

00:45:46 But I think mentally they are just willing to start and get it over and done with,

00:45:50 because I think the swimming part of the sport is, I think we all, we have an idea of what everyone's going to swim with their times.

00:45:58 And they just want to get that burst of energy out their system before they start the laser,

00:46:03 because that's really the unpredictable part of the day.

00:46:08 So I think they are eager to start and just get it over and done with.

00:46:13 OK, we are going to hear from another athlete now. Rita Erdos from Hungary was poolside yesterday. Let's hear her thoughts.

00:46:28 Lovely to see you here in Sofia, Bulgaria. Just discussing the transition from the fencing to the swimming pool.

00:46:35 As an athlete, it can be quite a tricky part of the competition.

00:46:38 Just go on to explain to us what it's like from your point of view, getting yourself ready for the swim.

00:46:43 Yesterday we had one hour after the fencing and before the swimming, so we had time to go here and just warm up.

00:46:58 And during semifinals and finals it becomes more of a challenge, doesn't it?

00:47:02 Because you have less time and you have less time to think about things.

00:47:06 But my fencing skills are not really good today and in the last competition.

00:47:17 So I was in the first members in the fencing bonus round, so I had a little bit more time than the others.

00:47:28 So it could be enough for us.

00:47:34 Talk to us about the pool here in Sofia. Is it a quick pool, a slow pool? I know it's 50 meters.

00:47:40 It's a slow pool.

00:47:43 What difference does that make if it's a slow pool?

00:47:46 It's 15 meters, so that's why it's more slow than 25 meters.

00:47:56 And I don't know, it's not so clear the water, so maybe that's why it's more slow than the others.

00:48:08 Different athletes seem to have different opinions on this, but how much effort are you putting into the swimming?

00:48:14 Are you giving it 100% or are you thinking, I need to save some energy for Laser Run?

00:48:19 I need to give it 100% because I'm not the fastest swimmer, so I need to give my best in the pool too.

00:48:33 But I don't think it affects my Laser Run, so it's alright.

00:48:40 A lot of athletes talk about the lactic acid build-up after swimming.

00:48:44 It's obviously very challenging on the legs. Is it something that you face and if so, how do you react to that?

00:48:54 Luckily, I don't feel this affect.

00:49:01 That's interesting though, because different athletes, their bodies react in different ways.

00:49:05 For you, lactic acid is not a problem?

00:49:08 No, not really.

00:49:10 Does that give you an advantage?

00:49:15 No, not really.

00:49:18 And finally, in regards to the quick speed in which you have to get yourself ready for swimming, how challenging is that?

00:49:26 Is it something you find is a challenging part of the competition?

00:49:31 It is, but we can handle it.

00:49:35 You're a PENTA athlete, so you have to adapt to everything.

00:49:38 Thank you very much and good luck for the rest of the competition.

00:49:43 Rita Adolfs of Hungary giving us her thoughts as we now can look ahead to the start of swimming.

00:49:49 And these are the seven athletes that will be taking part in the first swimming heat.

00:49:59 In lane one, we have Jintere Van Kalskajti.

00:50:04 In lane two, it is Blanka Guzi.

00:50:07 In lane three, it is Xiong Wenxiang.

00:50:13 In lane four, it is Andrea Medina Gonzalez.

00:50:17 In lane five, it is Veronica Nowotka.

00:50:21 And well, a lane ahead of myself, but easy we'll go with this.

00:50:24 In lane seven, it is of course Anna Maniszewska of Poland.

00:50:32 So those are your six athletes that will be taking part in our first swimming heat.

00:50:45 As the judges and officials get themselves into position.

00:50:57 Ladies and gentlemen, these are your judges and officials and your swimming director here in Sofia, Bulgaria,

00:51:02 Rasmir Kumanov.

00:51:09 So, we are about ready to get ourselves underway with our first of three swimming heats.

00:51:16 Apologies for the delay, some technical issues behind the scenes.

00:51:21 But there you can see Jintere Van Kalskajti.

00:51:26 She's in lane two.

00:51:36 Jintere Van Kalskajti.

00:51:43 A quick laser on her, she was ninth in Sofia last year, fifth in Budapest last year.

00:51:49 In lane three is Blank Guzi, gold medalist from Budapest.

00:51:56 She's also a laser on world championship, gold medalist for Budapest in 2023, I should specify.

00:52:02 It is Xiangming Xiong, silver medalist from Ankara, Andrea Medina Gonzalez.

00:52:09 She wears goggles by the way.

00:52:29 Anna Malashevska is out next.

00:52:42 Anna had a bronze last year in Bulgaria, so we'll be looking to perform again here.

00:52:54 So there we go, we have our six athletes in position.

00:53:01 And off we go, swimming heat one is underway here in Sofia.

00:53:07 And all athletes get away cleanly.

00:53:10 Andrea Medina Gonzalez.

00:53:15 Xiangming Xiong dragging away and taking that lead.

00:53:19 So this is a 50 meter pool so athletes won't be able to benefit from those tumble turns in the 25 as they would have in the 25 meter pool.

00:53:31 Yeah, and the issue athletes have is, as Lida mentioned, they won't be getting their quickest time.

00:53:39 So it's all about just being as fast as you can, but also like we heard from Sofia Corbera, some athletes will navigate their way through this pool.

00:53:49 They might put everything into that first 150, but then possibly lay off for the final 50.

00:53:56 So we're heading to the halfway stage of this swim.

00:54:05 I must say, this is where the legs start to feel it from that third to fourth lap.

00:54:11 You just sort of put your head down and kick your way through.

00:54:15 Yeah, this is where you start to feel the pain a little bit.

00:54:18 Yeah, as you approach the 150 meter mark, the athletes now very much in the flow of things.

00:54:26 Xiang Mengxiang is keeping her pace very well and should hopefully keep it all the way to the end of the race.

00:54:43 Yep, here we go then. The final turn coming up here and it's a final 50 meter swim and Xiong has a sizable lead here.

00:54:53 Her quickest time over the past 12 months is a 2.16.

00:54:57 Still a little bit of a way to go.

00:55:01 I wonder how close she's going to get. This is looking like a very good swim from Xiong, by the way.

00:55:05 Silver medalist already this year in Ankara.

00:55:09 And finishing this swim well. 2.16, her best time of the year.

00:55:13 She'll go over that, but not by much.

00:55:16 Approaching then the final few meters of this race and it's a 2.19 for Xiang Mengxiang.

00:55:23 Blanca Guzzi comes home in second place. Veronica Novotna in third.

00:55:29 I must say, I think the athletes are all trying to go for a time around 2.20 for the women now.

00:55:37 I think that's about the average 2.20, 2.22 for the women.

00:55:42 It used to be about 2.10, didn't it? It's slowed right down this time for the women.

00:55:46 I think maybe a little bit, yeah, probably average is about 2.20, I think you're right.

00:55:50 But I must say, I think with the three days of competing, it's normal to see time slowing down because you cannot do a 2.10 every single day with all the other disciplines added to.

00:56:03 But I think we do still have those swimmers that stand out, Elena Macelli,

00:56:08 Elodie Clivel, who's around 2.15 sometimes, even the 2.10.

00:56:15 So there are still those swimmers that stand out.

00:56:19 I used to see a good battle between Gónaz Guberlina and Elodie Clivel at the front of the par, didn't we?

00:56:29 The easiest hand again after the first swimming heat.

00:56:32 And you can see Blanca Guzzi now four points ahead of Xiang Mengxiang.

00:56:37 Who's a point ahead of Chintaria Van Kalskati.

00:56:39 Andrea McDinna-Gonzalez might struggle to get to the final from there, but you never know.

00:56:43 The Votner a bit further back, Malashevska has lost quite a bit of time now.

00:56:48 And you feel it's now just a case of finishing as strongly as you can.

00:56:52 But who knows? Still all to play for.

00:56:55 Swimming heat two.

00:56:58 And you can see it is Yuwen Gu in lane two.

00:57:05 Eunju Kim in lane three.

00:57:09 Kate French in lane four.

00:57:13 Ioana Maria Iogassou in lane five.

00:57:21 Valeria Permakina in lane six.

00:57:26 And then Rebecca Castaldi.

00:57:28 Those are your athletes that are in this swimming heat.

00:57:36 So here we go. The athletes one by one.

00:57:39 Yuwen Gu of China is first out.

00:57:46 She was eighth in 2019 Pentathlon World Championships.

00:57:51 Eunju Kim lines up alongside

00:57:56 bronze team relay Sofia 2021.

00:58:02 Kate French takes a little introduction, doesn't she?

00:58:05 Olympic gold medalist, multiple World Cup medalist, multiple World Cup gold medalist.

00:58:11 Ioana Maria Iogassou, renowned for having a fast laser arm.

00:58:16 She could be one to watch later in this competition.

00:58:20 Valeria Permakina.

00:58:25 And then finally, alongside Permakina is Rebecca Castaldi.

00:58:35 Keeping herself pumped up and motivated for this race.

00:58:52 So these are the athletes who all I think will be fighting for that

00:58:57 finals qualification. I think from this heat to the first heat is really

00:59:03 they're in the contendance for that.

00:59:07 Yeah, this is, you feel, an important part of this competition here, isn't it?

00:59:14 The athletes all flying to get into that top nine.

00:59:17 Rebecca Castaldi is fired up for this one, doesn't she?

00:59:20 As she enters the pool on the far right hand of your shot there.

00:59:23 We've got Castaldi, we've got Kim, we've got French, we've got Permakina, Iogassou,

00:59:29 Gu, all fighting for position in the pool here.

00:59:33 Gliding through the pool. Looks like it's a good battle between Castaldi and between French.

00:59:37 But there's still a long way to go. And French is leading, gliding through the pool.

00:59:43 A very elegant swimmer. As she comes to the first 50 meter turn, there's the turn.

00:59:47 She powers off the wall and that's a decent lead from French already.

00:59:51 Yeah, I think she's got a very smooth style to her strokes.

00:59:57 And I think that's also quite an important aspect to swimming is sort of focusing on your technique

01:00:03 and let the rest go through it. I think a technique can go along, can take you a long way.

01:00:11 Cut a few of those seconds off. Technique, your turn, your dive, all of those add up at the end of the day.

01:00:18 And we can see Kate French is just showing us how it's done.

01:00:23 Yeah, this is a split time of 1.07 with Gu in second place, Permakina in third.

01:00:30 It's a good battle for second and third there for French. She just looks very, just very...

01:00:35 Very comfortable.

01:00:36 Yeah, just a smooth swimmer, isn't it? A natural swimmer.

01:00:41 She's looking good from Kate French, I have to say.

01:00:45 At the 1.25 mark, approaching the 1.50 mark and then she'll turn for one last time.

01:00:55 There we go. Final turn then for French.

01:01:01 Look at that lead. She's powering through on that last... So she played it very well, planned it out really well,

01:01:07 paced herself for that last 50 of the 200 meters, which is a killer.

01:01:14 So Kate French of Great Britain is, you can see with a good lead, how close to her best time of the past 12 months will she get.

01:01:25 2.18 is her fastest time. Last few meters. Very good swim this from French.

01:01:31 It's not going to be too far off that 2.18 mark. A couple of seconds over.

01:01:35 2.19.92 quickest swim so far of this semifinal from Kate French, Permakina in second place with Yuan Gu in third.

01:01:47 So we'll see how that affects the standings in a moment's time.

01:01:58 But the headline is Kate French makes up some time and I think is looking in a good position to get through to the final here.

01:02:09 Yeah. Having said that, it's a 50 meter pool, I think, but it's affecting everyone.

01:02:16 Everyone's in the same situation. So there will be slower times compared to the past competitions, I think, where we had 25 meter pools.

01:02:29 And also sometimes you just feel heavy in some pools and a bit lighter in others.

01:02:38 So Kate French final few stages of that race brings it home.

01:02:44 It's a slow pool, this one, isn't it? But French gets a touch. Good starting block. Very solid starting blocks.

01:02:52 And let's have a look then at the standings after the first two swims. French has now moved seven points ahead of Yuan Gu, which means she will start in at least seventh place.

01:03:05 So Kate French has made up some time there in the pool with a score of 2.71.

01:03:12 Polenka Guzzi has brought herself back into things as well, by the way.

01:03:20 So up next is Marlena Djuwade, Karolina Krenkova, Yeva Serapinate, Amira Handel, Jessica Barley and Salma Abdul-Muqsoud.

01:03:28 See them on the screen in a moment's time.

01:03:31 Here they are then. So in first place, it is, of course, Marlena Djuwade.

01:03:38 In second is Karolina Krenkova.

01:03:42 Third is Yeva Serapinate.

01:03:47 Fourth is Amira Handel.

01:03:53 Fifth is Jessica Barley.

01:03:58 And then, of course, finally, it is Salma Abdul-Muqsoud.

01:04:04 And the runner-up to the third, the final heat, heat number three,

01:04:10 going on the right, number two, representing Sweden, Marlena Djuwade.

01:04:17 So first out then, it is Marlena Djuwade.

01:04:20 Coming in at number three, representing Sweden, Karolina Krenkova.

01:04:24 Followed by Karolina Krenkova.

01:04:29 From the right, number four, representing Sweden, Yeva Serapinate.

01:04:34 Yeva Serapinate, I think, will comfortably get through to the final.

01:04:38 Especially, she's a fairly quick swimmer.

01:04:41 She could set one of the fastest times.

01:04:45 Amira Handel will be in with a battle to get herself inside that top nine, I feel.

01:04:50 Yeah, it's still, I mean, from the standing so far, they're all just spread out with seconds.

01:04:57 So it's going to be an interesting semifinals, this.

01:05:00 Jessica Varley out next, and then Salma Abdel-Muqsoud.

01:05:04 And those are your six athletes in Swimming Heat 3.

01:05:09 Abdel-Muqsoud has shown promising swimming results in the past.

01:05:13 She'll be one to look out for.

01:05:23 So here you go, those are your six athletes all vying for time in the pool at the final of Swimming Heat.

01:05:31 We are getting ever closer to the all-exciting conclusion of Pentathlon.

01:05:36 The laser arm of the athlete now in the pool and raring to go.

01:05:41 So, so far in the semifinal, I think our fastest times were 2.19.

01:05:48 Yes, escape French, wasn't it?

01:05:50 It's the time to beat today.

01:05:53 I think we should beat that with the likes of Sarah Piniete, Salma Abdel-Muqsoud,

01:05:58 and even Amir Handel, all three of them, you feel could go quicker than 2.19.

01:06:03 Could be a good battle, this one, as we approach the first 50m.

01:06:08 We'll see the split times at the next turn.

01:06:14 Turning on a 32 should, they keep that pace, should maybe be under 2.20,

01:06:22 definitely even around 2.18, 2.17 maybe.

01:06:26 But it's always the first lap that you go a bit faster,

01:06:31 and then just having to find your rhythm after that.

01:06:35 I think it's Salma Abdel-Muqsoud leading,

01:06:40 although it's pretty close actually between Salma Abdel-Muqsoud and Yeva Sir Piniete.

01:06:44 In fact, it is Yeva who is almost a second ahead of Salma Abdel-Muqsoud.

01:06:49 Handel's in third place, so Handel's not swimming to her potential.

01:06:53 Handel's best time over the past 12 months was 2.17,

01:06:59 I don't think she's going to quite make that with this current pace.

01:07:05 It seems like Abdel-Muqsoud is dragging away, taking the lead of this race.

01:07:10 Really motoring through for the last lap that she's about to turn for.

01:07:18 Also really smooth strokes from these swimmers and good stroke rates.

01:07:35 So into the final few meters then of Swimming Heat 3,

01:07:39 the final Swimming Heat of this swimming discipline here in Bulgaria.

01:07:45 You can see a bit of encouragement in the back of the shot there

01:07:50 from some of the athletes trying to push the athletes through.

01:07:54 And Salma Abdel-Muqsoud is 0.13 ahead of Sir Piniete.

01:07:58 Handel in third place.

01:08:00 So it's 2.18, our quickest swim of the day and Sir Piniete,

01:08:05 I think, will be comfortably through as will Abdel-Muqsoud.

01:08:09 Handel's lost a bit of time there, but she's still going to be inside a good position.

01:08:15 12.25, the start of the Laser Run. So these athletes do not have long, by the way.

01:08:25 That's just 16 minutes away.

01:08:29 So they're going to be frantically getting themselves out of that pool,

01:08:33 getting themselves changed into their running outfits.

01:08:36 And then, like, I mean, basically trenching through the mud to get back

01:08:43 because it's been so wet here that the paths are muddy.

01:08:45 And it's going to be quite difficult for the athletes to get themselves back trackside.

01:08:50 It's the transitioning, it's the refueling with food, it's the changing their mindsets.

01:08:56 It's a tough competition. It's all in one.

01:09:00 And we have seen athletes adapt to that.

01:09:03 So, yeah, the heroes of the sport.

01:09:08 Certainly are.

01:09:10 The final few stages of that swimming heat.

01:09:14 It's very close in the end between Abdel-Muqsoud and Sir Piniete.

01:09:19 Let's have a look then.

01:09:22 Joued and Sir Piniete share the lead.

01:09:25 Abdel-Muqsoud in third place, Crankover in fourth, Andal in fifth place.

01:09:30 But it's really close things up this.

01:09:32 Valli in sixth, French in seventh,

01:09:34 Gou in eighth and Gouzi has now moved into that top nine.

01:09:38 Gouzi on four, seven, three.

01:09:41 There's a bit of a drop off there, isn't there?

01:09:43 You think the top seven are looking pretty good, but four, seven, three, the gap

01:09:47 is very, very small.

01:09:49 So, yeah, you can see just.

01:09:52 And these are all the top runners just all in one bunch.

01:09:56 So we're in for an exciting race.

01:09:59 I think so.

01:10:00 What about Castagny?

01:10:02 We've sort of been focusing on a little bit this competition.

01:10:04 We are willing her to get into her first final.

01:10:06 Do you think she could make it from there?

01:10:08 I mean, she's really shown promising race runs in the past.

01:10:12 So I think she could.

01:10:14 I mean, what was it? Junior World Champs.

01:10:16 She started about 20th position.

01:10:18 Stormed her way through to gold medal.

01:10:21 So shouldn't underestimate her.

01:10:23 No, absolutely not.

01:10:25 All right, folks, we're going to be putting up plays run in a few minutes time.

01:10:28 But firstly, let's just take a look back at the highlights of the swimming.

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01:10:49 .

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01:11:16 Well folks, welcome back to Sofia, Bulgaria for the fourth World Cup of the Pentathlon season.

01:11:24 We're building up to the start of the Laser Run, the exciting conclusion of Pentathlon.

01:11:31 And this is how Laser Run works.

01:11:34 It's a handicapped start, which is what makes it so exciting, is you get faster athletes further down.

01:11:40 And the first lap is a...

01:11:49 It's actually four shooting series, so it's five laps and four shooting series.

01:11:55 That is how it concludes when the athletes make their way around towards the finish line.

01:12:02 And that is how the event concludes.

01:12:11 So that is the start/finish line then for Laser Run.

01:12:17 And it's looking very calm at the moment, but I can assure you that won't be the case for long

01:12:22 with the athletes making their way to the venue from the swimming pool.

01:12:30 They don't have a lot of time. They'll still now be walking through.

01:12:33 Those athletes who were in Swimming Heat 3 have not been given a lot of time to get themselves into position.

01:12:40 [no audio]

01:13:03 So we are actually going to take an interesting perspective into the Laser Run in a moment's time,

01:13:13 which we've not done before on Pentathlon coverage.

01:13:18 It's actually a bird's-eye view, if you like, a GoPro on the head of an athlete.

01:13:25 Let's take a look at how the Laser Run works.

01:13:29 So this was on the head of Penelope Nika, a Greek athlete.

01:13:33 And check out this shooting, by the way. This is such an awesome angle.

01:13:36 Here we have it. Five out of five, by the way, from Penelope Nika in this.

01:13:41 I think she clocked in about 10 seconds there, didn't she?

01:13:44 She did. Really cool stuff. And look at that. I love that.

01:13:47 The head turn before she's even got away from the reins.

01:13:51 You can see here just how muddy and slippery that first turn is.

01:13:55 They've been vying for position. And again, that second turn is a big puddle.

01:13:59 And we've seen athletes slipping in the past round here.

01:14:01 So, you know, the weather hasn't been kind to us in Sofia.

01:14:05 They have put down sawdust today to make it a bit easier.

01:14:08 But you can see this sort of the back end of the course swings round to the middle part.

01:14:17 And it's fairly straightforward. A spike will, of course, be on.

01:14:19 But you'll see another very wet patch.

01:14:22 Yeah. And when you think just how close the athletes are going to be battling with each other,

01:14:27 this could be interesting.

01:14:30 Then down the back straight towards the end and another rather muddy part.

01:14:35 And then it's a straight run down towards the finish line. And there you go.

01:14:39 I think there in the finish line, they put a bit of dust there or sawdust there just to take away the slip.

01:14:46 So we're going to go trackside to try and get some interviews with some athletes and some coaches.

01:15:03 And we're going to leave you in the capable hands of Alida van der Merwe.

01:15:07 It's all yours, Alida. Thank you, James.

01:15:11 Yeah. So now we just see athletes doing the last preparations for the laser run.

01:15:17 Blanca Guzzi there doing her shooting drills.

01:15:21 Blanca Guzzi also a very promising athlete.

01:15:24 And we are sure to see a good laser run performance from her.

01:15:30 Marlena Zawid, who was fourth at the European Under-24 Championships in 2022.

01:15:41 Who will be looking to make her way to the final today.

01:15:49 She's in a promising position.

01:15:56 But so far, our handicaps start. We have Ieva Serapinati and Marlena Zawid starting together.

01:16:05 And they're after her. Salma Abdel Maksoud, Karolina Krenkova, Amira Kandil and Jessica Valle.

01:16:12 Just right after her. Cape French.

01:16:16 So it is all so close together.

01:16:21 So today will be a very exciting race for that final qualification.

01:16:28 In your shot you have Jintara Venkauskaiti, who will be starting in 12th position.

01:16:36 But we have seen her do amazing laser run races in the past.

01:16:42 Who will be looking to climb her way up her positions to qualify.

01:16:50 Here we have Rebecca Castaldi, who will be starting in 16th position.

01:16:58 Very close, right after Veronika Novotna, who will be starting in 15th position.

01:17:12 So it is a rainy atmosphere we have here in Sofia, Bulgaria.

01:17:19 And athletes are going to have to keep in mind to keep warm, keep their muscles warm and all ready for the next session.

01:17:39 In front of you we have Kim Nju, who will be starting in 17th position.

01:17:53 So athletes today will have to keep in mind if they will be running with spikes with the muddy weather.

01:18:03 We see here Cape French won't be using spikes.

01:18:09 It will be a tricky race today, having to avoid all odds to not slip around those coves.

01:18:18 It is a technical course in that sense with the sharp turns that they are going to have.

01:18:28 We see Eva trying out her spikes.

01:18:34 But with that said we are going to throw to James, who will be giving you an interview on the sideline.

01:18:39 Back to you James.

01:18:41 Here trackside with British athlete Charlie Brown.

01:18:43 Charlie, good to see you ahead of the start of women's semifinal A.

01:18:47 It is all very close and all very frantic.

01:18:49 There are quite a few quick runners a bit further down.

01:18:53 As a quick runner yourself, what is it like when you are trying to catch that top 9 and get yourself into the final?

01:19:00 It is an exciting thing to be doing.

01:19:03 But I think the main thing you have to do is focus on yourself and execute the best laser run you can do.

01:19:09 However that compares to everyone else is out of your control.

01:19:14 Focus on your shooting when you come into the range.

01:19:16 Give it all you possibly can in the run.

01:19:19 And hope people suffer and hopefully it works out in the end.

01:19:26 So you as an athlete are probably focusing more on what you can do rather than the athletes around you.

01:19:32 When you are at the shooting range and it is as close as it is in this semifinal,

01:19:36 do you feel the pressure of other athletes?

01:19:38 Do you feel their presence when you are trying to focus on shooting yourself?

01:19:41 I think you do.

01:19:43 But the whole point of the pressure, when you are a younger athlete I think that gets you the most.

01:19:49 The more experience you have in chasing people down is you learn to deal with that pressure.

01:19:54 You learn to almost put that behind you and just focus on yourself.

01:19:59 Ignore everyone else's targets and execute the best you possibly can.

01:20:03 Thank you for your time mate and we will catch up again soon. Good man.

01:20:06 Thank you.

01:20:09 There you have it everyone, an interview with Charlie Brown who is only 21 years of age and competing on this senior phase.

01:20:20 It is unfortunate he will not be competing in the semifinals but like he said, I think he will come back from that.

01:20:28 And the athletes are just doing their last preparations before the Laser Run.

01:20:35 The nerves are kicking in here regarding to the shooting, definitely.

01:20:41 Here we have Jessica Varley who will be one to watch today.

01:20:46 So just hearing thoughts there of British athlete Charlie Brown and the various different pressures that athletes have on their shoulders,

01:20:58 especially with a Laser Run as tight as this.

01:21:01 The gaps looking further down are pretty close.

01:21:05 Blanka Guzzi is currently in 9th place.

01:21:10 Four seconds behind her is Xiong Mingxiong and Valeria Permikina.

01:21:15 Jintaro Vankovskaiti five seconds further back.

01:21:18 Yoko Su is eight seconds back.

01:21:25 On your screens there is Jessica Varley who is currently in 6th place, 15 seconds off the lead.

01:21:31 And we are going to see some more of her statistics.

01:21:36 So she has had a few medals over the course of her career, some of which have come in junior level, some of which have obviously come in senior level.

01:21:46 21 World Cup stars, Olympic ranking of 130th, needs to make her way up that ranking if she is to get herself a place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

01:21:58 Has a senior ranking of 24.

01:22:03 Jessica Varley of Great Britain on her day is one of the best athletes out there.

01:22:07 Let's see how she compares to others.

01:22:09 So while in terms of fencing she is 5% above average, in terms of swimming 1% above average, but it's her laser run where Jessica Varley really excels.

01:22:16 9% above average and in the top 17 in the world in terms of her average in laser run.

01:22:24 Where does she start and where does she finish?

01:22:27 Well, you can see in the past year in Cairo, started 10th, finished 9th.

01:22:33 She is always moving further up the field, but there she is, Jessica Varley, just practicing her shooting and getting herself primed and ready to go.

01:22:48 You can see her British teammates, Kate French, a bit further up the pile.

01:22:53 Blanca Guzzi in 9th place, a solid laser run.

01:22:56 The laser run world champion from 2019, gold medalist in Budapest in 2023.

01:23:08 Yeah, all these top, actually all the top laser run athletes have made their way through to the top and I think they are guaranteed a spot to make it to the final.

01:23:19 They won't be giving it all today, I think. They've all actually ended up in a good position after the fencing ranking round, haven't they James?

01:23:27 And I think it's in the final, it will be very interesting to see their results there.

01:23:32 Yeah, certainly. Well, let's take a look at the start list.

01:23:36 I think you can see Yevisa Repiniate and Melania Jouade both starting on level points.

01:23:41 There's no difference between those two.

01:23:43 Salma Abdul-Muqtasid five seconds further back.

01:23:45 Kranjkova is eight seconds further back.

01:23:47 Amira Andal is ten seconds back.

01:23:49 Jessica Valiant, Kate French, 15 and 19.

01:23:52 But it's all about, well, Ewen Gu is in 8th place, but it's all about Blanca Guzzi and the gap that she has, which is 36 seconds off the lead.

01:24:03 And that is really close, by the way.

01:24:05 And I think this is promising to be a very exciting laser run as we build up to the start of the action here in Sofia.

01:24:15 Ten seconds away from the start, then it will be Yevisa Repiniate and Melania Jouade leading us out.

01:24:21 Both on the same score after the fencing and swimming.

01:24:26 And away we go. Jouade and Yevisa Repiniate are relaxing to their rhythm.

01:24:30 A further five seconds back is Salma Abdul-Muqtasid as she gets away.

01:24:35 Caroline Kranjkova followed by Amira Andal.

01:24:40 The top five are on the track.

01:24:43 Five seconds further back and then we will see Jessica Vali making her way out.

01:24:47 We've got Kate French coming out as well.

01:24:51 Ewen Gu makes her way onto the course as well.

01:24:56 And then there's a bit of a gap and this is where things will get interesting.

01:25:00 Blanca Guzzi is out on the course.

01:25:04 Then it's Xiangming Xiang.

01:25:07 And this formation lap is all about just getting the blood flowing and trying to pace yourself and just work out the course really, isn't it?

01:25:16 Yeah, I think it's that and getting the nerves out with your first lap.

01:25:20 I actually quite prefer having a lap before going into the shooting.

01:25:24 I mean, you really just, like I said, you get all those nerves out to be ready for that first shooting that you will have.

01:25:32 It is muddy out here, so we really do hope we don't see some dangerous falls.

01:25:38 I think you feel the slips inevitable at some point, don't you?

01:25:42 Because the conditions, I mean, you can't dictate the weather, unfortunately.

01:25:48 Mollana Jawed and Eva Serapineta pacing each other out in first place.

01:25:51 But we're focusing on Blanca Guzzi because she's currently in ninth place.

01:25:54 And Blanca Guzzi now moves up into eighth place past Ewen Gu.

01:26:00 And I think Guzzi will disappear off into the distance, by the way.

01:26:04 Xiangming Xiang is making her way back into the fold.

01:26:08 So Guzzi in eighth place, but it's that battle for ninth a bit further back.

01:26:13 There we can see it, which could really spark into life.

01:26:17 Permakina, Yoko Su.

01:26:21 Yeah, Ewen Gu will have to watch out for all the athletes on her tail.

01:26:26 I think Ewen Gu is in the crosshairs of a lot of these athletes now,

01:26:30 one of which is Xiangming Xiang, who is about to overtake and moves now up into ninth place.

01:26:40 So Ewen Gu is dropping down the order.

01:26:46 Blanca Guzzi has already moved up into eighth place.

01:26:50 Guzzi is a quick runner looking in great shape.

01:26:53 And there you can see the athletes arriving at the shooting range for the first time here in this final.

01:26:58 Milena Zhuayde and Yeva Serapinete shooting toe for toe.

01:27:02 Zhuweed looking to get this first shoot done.

01:27:05 It's a 9.59 for Zhuweed, a 12-second shoot for Serapinete.

01:27:09 They're away and looking good. It's a slow shoot.

01:27:11 This is for Varley. Abdelmaksoud is away.

01:27:14 Good shoot that from Abdelmaksoud.

01:27:16 Andel's away. Varley's found her rhythm.

01:27:19 Kranjkova's away. Still Varley at the range.

01:27:22 This is getting a little bit concerning for Varley.

01:27:24 She eventually does get away. Now it's that battle for ninth place.

01:27:28 Blanca Guzzi has a unique style. It's a 9-second shoot for Guzzi.

01:27:33 Kate French has done a slow shoot as well.

01:27:35 It's 20 seconds for Kate French.

01:27:37 And Xiangming Xiang and Venkas Gaiti are now the chasing two.

01:27:41 Good shoot that from Gu, but she's dropped back.

01:27:44 Permakina a little bit slow. Yogesu slow at the range.

01:27:46 We're seeing a few different sort of different times here.

01:27:51 What about Rebecca Staudi?

01:27:52 She's brought herself back into things with a 13-second shoot.

01:27:55 It's all still to play for. Still quite early. Still early games.

01:27:58 Xiang in ninth place. Venkas Gaiti in tenth.

01:28:01 That could be an interesting battle to keep an eye on.

01:28:03 Kate French has been pulled back into this battle for ninth place.

01:28:06 Could Kate French maybe drop out of the top nine here?

01:28:09 All mixing up after that first round of shooting.

01:28:12 Yeah. I mean, like we always say, it's only over until you cross the finish line.

01:28:15 It's so unpredictable, this race.

01:28:18 But yeah, Kate French will have to make up with that for the next shooting round.

01:28:24 Yeah, she's actually really getting caught up in this battle now for ninth place.

01:28:28 Xiangming Xiang will, you feel, overtake French maybe on this lap.

01:28:33 She's reeled her in and she's now catching, catching, catching.

01:28:37 And it is Xiangming Xiang who moves past Kate French with Venkas Gaiti now all over the rear.

01:28:46 So this is worrying times for the Olympic gold medalist as she looks to make the final.

01:28:53 And this, you feel, her last chance to qualify for World Cup final.

01:28:58 If she doesn't get through to the final here, it could be goodbye.

01:29:02 And her chances for defending her Olympic crown.

01:29:06 Xiangming Xiang has moved up into eighth place.

01:29:09 It's now Kate French in ninth. Blanca Guzzi is a bit further up.

01:29:13 We've got three quick runners and three World Cup medalists all on the course.

01:29:19 In fact, four because you've got Venkas Gaiti there as well.

01:29:22 But arriving at the shooting range, it is the two leaders, Serapin Iaite and Joao Wade,

01:29:28 who've been absolutely neck and neck with each other, pacing each other well.

01:29:32 And they're now shooting pretty similarly as well.

01:29:34 Great shooting from both of them.

01:29:36 In sync there from those two athletes.

01:29:39 Keep an eye on Jessica Valle because she's going to be looking to improve on her previous round.

01:29:43 This is looking better for now from Valle.

01:29:45 Abdelmouksou is so consistent with her shooting.

01:29:47 Amira Ander with a 7.78. Great shooting.

01:29:50 Valle is just struggling to close this out a little bit now.

01:29:53 17.2 for Valle.

01:29:55 What about Xiangming Xiang of Korea?

01:29:59 Venkas Gaiti with a ten-second shoot.

01:30:01 It's slow again for French. She's got away with a 46, not too bad.

01:30:06 This is a real hustle now for those top nine positions.

01:30:10 And I think Kate French is just about still in ninth place, is she?

01:30:15 Yep. Krenkova's dropped down.

01:30:18 So Karolina Krenkova has dropped out of the top ten.

01:30:22 She started in fourth place.

01:30:24 She's now dropped down to tenth.

01:30:26 So look at this.

01:30:27 All those athletes on your screen there are in those top positions.

01:30:32 But Krenkova has really suffered here.

01:30:34 Permakina.

01:30:37 Jessica Valle in fifth position so far.

01:30:41 And right after her, Venkas Gaiti, Samwin Jung, Blanka and Kate French.

01:30:47 So we've only had...

01:30:48 Those are our top nine athletes so far.

01:30:51 There's a lot that could change.

01:30:52 We've only had two shooting routines.

01:30:54 Don't forget, still two to go.

01:30:56 Guzi Xiang, French, the Olympic champion,

01:31:00 who is looking in a better position now.

01:31:02 That was a 14-second shoot for French.

01:31:05 And look at that gap now between Krenkova and French.

01:31:08 It's not far off 10 seconds.

01:31:10 Permakina, you feel these are strong enough runners to hold off the battle

01:31:13 from those coming a bit further back?

01:31:15 Oh, it's quite tough to say,

01:31:17 because I can see now in the corner of my eye

01:31:19 Rebecca Castaldi going from 12th position.

01:31:22 And I think it's about a 20-second gap.

01:31:25 I mean, Castaldi is a quick laser runner.

01:31:29 If anyone can do it, she can from that position.

01:31:31 But that gap now between French and Permakina is looking pretty big.

01:31:36 It was eight seconds.

01:31:39 And there are a lot of athletes that would fancy themselves

01:31:51 to get into that top nine.

01:31:53 Karolina Krenkova suffered at her last shooting routine.

01:31:56 So here we go.

01:31:57 Our front two are at the range now.

01:31:59 Sarabiniete and Zhuid.

01:32:02 Sarabiniete shooting well here.

01:32:06 Yep, Cape French just...

01:32:08 10-second shoot from Sarabiniete.

01:32:10 Zhuid is a little bit slower, 15 seconds for her,

01:32:13 but she's got enough of a gap for that not to worry her.

01:32:15 Abdul-Muqsud, is that going to be another sub-10-second shoot?

01:32:18 Just over. Vali's away. Great shooting from Vali.

01:32:21 She's found her rhythm. Van Kuskati, great shooting.

01:32:24 Abdul-Muqsud's away with a 12-second shoot.

01:32:26 Blanca Guzzi with an 11-second shoot.

01:32:29 Cape French with a sub-10-second shoot.

01:32:32 That's more like the Cape French that we know from times gone by.

01:32:35 Permakina with a sub-10-second shoot.

01:32:37 There was a 22-second shoot in there somewhere from someone who's dropped down.

01:32:40 Amira Andal's now in ninth place.

01:32:42 Permakina is right on the back of Amira Andal.

01:32:46 So Amira Andal's been sucked into this battle for ninth place.

01:32:49 And Amira Andal is now about to drop out

01:32:52 with Permakina all over the back of Andal.

01:32:55 Can Andal hang on to ninth place? She can't.

01:32:58 Permakina snatches ninth place off of Amira Andal.

01:33:03 And Amira Andal, who started in fifth, has now dropped out of the top nine.

01:33:09 And is in a real battle to try and get back in.

01:33:12 That is resilience from Valeria Permakina,

01:33:15 who's just paced herself nicely around this first three shooting routines,

01:33:20 the first four laps, and has got herself into that position now.

01:33:23 But one slow shoot can be so costly.

01:33:27 Amira Andal has dropped down into tenth place.

01:33:31 Yeah, very unfortunate for her.

01:33:34 If there's still energy in the tank, she could hang on to her tenth position

01:33:39 and maybe make a difference in the next shooting round.

01:33:41 But still a long way away.

01:33:46 Yeah, I mean, it is often this point of the race

01:33:50 that we see Amira Andal drop back.

01:33:54 And Rebecca Castaldi is still not out of this race, by the way.

01:33:59 We still have one shooting routine to go.

01:34:02 Andal flies around that corner there.

01:34:04 You can see the attempts to put a bit more grip on this course.

01:34:10 Yokozuna has dropped down a little bit further as well.

01:34:13 Yuwen Gu has dropped eight places.

01:34:16 But it is Permakina currently in ninth place,

01:34:19 and it's a little bit more relaxed for those in front of Permakina.

01:34:22 Andal now has been dropped by Permakina.

01:34:26 What about those a bit further back?

01:34:27 Is there a chance maybe one of those could make themselves into the fold?

01:34:31 You'd need a sub-20, a below-20 second shoot from one of this front pack

01:34:35 for that really to be a chance.

01:34:37 But everyone's up the range now and trying to get themselves into that final.

01:34:41 It's a 7.3 from Senna Piniata.

01:34:43 A ridiculously good time.

01:34:45 Chouhid has re-found her form here in Sofia.

01:34:48 It's a sub-10 second shoot for her.

01:34:50 Van Kalskatey, Valle, both out with good times.

01:34:53 Abdelmouksou, so consistent in the range.

01:34:56 Xiong is out.

01:34:58 Gouzi is away.

01:35:00 Keep your eye on Kate French, by the way, who is a little bit slow.

01:35:04 It's 18 seconds for the Olympic champion.

01:35:07 So it's sub-20 seconds for Kate French,

01:35:09 and that, you would imagine, will safely see her into the final.

01:35:13 So your top nine, I think, are looking pretty good,

01:35:17 unless there's some really late dash.

01:35:19 You see Rebecca Castaldi at the range.

01:35:21 Krenkova is trying to get herself back into things.

01:35:23 So Castaldi and Krenkova are battling away.

01:35:26 It is Kate French in ninth place.

01:35:29 Andel has dropped down five seconds,

01:35:31 and you don't feel she has the pace to catch the Olympic champion.

01:35:35 Kate French determined, back with the vengeance here in Sofia.

01:35:41 Multiple World Cup gold medalists, multiple World Cup medalists.

01:35:45 And here she is qualifying for another final.

01:35:48 She's had to work hard for this one, by the way, Kate French.

01:35:51 It hasn't come easy.

01:35:52 There's been challenges across the field.

01:35:56 But the Olympic champion is back in Sofia,

01:35:59 and back now, you feel, with a really, really good opportunity here

01:36:06 as she looks to qualify for Paris and tries to retain her Olympic crown.

01:36:12 Amira Andel is now 11 seconds behind Kate French of Great Britain.

01:36:18 And this is pretty much just a flat run to the end, isn't it,

01:36:21 for Kate French, who is looking pretty comfortable out there,

01:36:25 heading around the back stages of this course.

01:36:29 The top nine have been pushed the whole way,

01:36:32 but on this final lap, it's been fairly straightforward.

01:36:36 Is that Amira Andel, possibly in the back of the shot?

01:36:39 We can see they're still trying to catch up.

01:36:42 Yeah, I think it's safe to say from Kate French,

01:36:45 she's our finalist for tomorrow, for Sunday.

01:36:49 Yeah, here they are, then, the top nine on your screens here.

01:36:53 Melena Zhuid, Jessica Valle, Eva Serpenyayte, Jintare Van Karskate,

01:36:57 Xiangming Xiong, Samraj Maksud, Blanka Guzi, Valeria Permakina.

01:37:03 And coming home now in ninth place,

01:37:07 qualification for the final, it's Kate French of Great Britain.

01:37:13 Missing out there is Amira Andel,

01:37:15 who gave it everything right up until the end of the race.

01:37:19 Solid laser on that from Rebecca Castaldi.

01:37:22 It wasn't to be for Karolina Kranjkova, that one slow shoot cost her

01:37:26 and she could never recover from that point.

01:37:29 Yaga Su starts in 13th, finishes in 13th.

01:37:33 Medina Gonzalez starts in 14th, finishes in 14th.

01:37:36 Anna Malashevskaya makes her way a little bit further up the fields.

01:37:41 There comes Karolina Kranjkova, sorry, Novotna, apologies.

01:37:47 Veronica Novotna just bringing herself home now in 16th place.

01:37:56 Anju Kim.

01:38:00 And then finally, Yuwen Gu coming home in 18th place.

01:38:07 And those are your top 18 athletes, but your top nine have been decided.

01:38:12 Kate French snatches ninth spot ahead of Amira Andel.

01:38:16 And just having a bit of a cool down chat with coach Marco,

01:38:21 who is a stalwart in that British team.

01:38:24 Yeah, no, I think it was a good recovery that French made

01:38:28 from that first shooting round, which did cost her a few positions.

01:38:33 And she just held that position throughout the whole race.

01:38:38 So Marlena Zhivoy and Yeva Serapinete were pretty untouchable out front, weren't they?

01:38:44 I think our Sky T started in 12th position, pulled her way through to...

01:38:49 She's a great later runner, it doesn't surprise me that, to be honest.

01:38:52 She's very good, very solid, very consistent.

01:38:58 It was a joy to watch that, I would say collaboration between Zhuada and Serapinete.

01:39:03 They just stuck with each other.

01:39:05 They'll have enjoyed each other's company that race, I think, won't they?

01:39:08 It's nice when you're out in front and you've not got a battle.

01:39:11 Yeah.

01:39:13 Blanca Guzzi made her way through the field.

01:39:15 She started in ninth place, but it was only forwards from there onwards.

01:39:18 You can see the sawdust in an attempt to add a bit more grip to this venue.

01:39:25 Very unfortunate for Amira who fell out.

01:39:36 And I think Yuwen Zhu who also fell out when they were starting the top nine positions.

01:39:44 It's always such a bittersweet thing to accept, you know, starting in the top nine,

01:39:50 but then having to fall out, not finishing there.

01:39:55 So that race was very much won and lost, effectively, from the shooting range.

01:40:05 You saw athletes dropping points.

01:40:09 And yet you can see the athletes now just coming over the finish line.

01:40:15 It's great to see Marlene Jouyde in such good form here.

01:40:21 Yeah, definitely.

01:40:23 Rebecca Castaldi gave that everything, didn't she?

01:40:25 Started in 16th place.

01:40:27 She's got a bit of a lead.

01:40:29 She's got a bit of a lead.

01:40:31 Yeah, definitely. Rebecca Castaldi gave that everything, didn't she?

01:40:36 Started in 16th place.

01:40:38 In the end, finished in 11th place.

01:40:41 Couldn't have done much more, could she?

01:40:43 Let's take a look then at the standings.

01:40:45 And those are your nine athletes who have qualified for Super Sunday here in Sofia.

01:40:52 Because of course, it's a day behind where we'd normally have Pentathlon.

01:40:59 Normally Super Saturday, isn't it?

01:41:01 But there you can see Jouyde, Vali, Van Karskajt, Serebreniëte, Guzi, Siong,

01:41:08 Abdul Maksoud, Permakina and French.

01:41:12 Your top nine athletes who have made their way through semi-final A.

01:41:17 They had to get through qualifications as well, by the way.

01:41:19 Pentathlon is tricky to get through to a final, to say the least.

01:41:25 Andul is the athlete to miss out in 10th place.

01:41:29 Castaldi in 11th place, gave it absolutely everything in that battle.

01:41:34 Krenkova, she dropped, having started in 4th place.

01:41:38 She's in 12th place.

01:41:39 Iogurtsu in 13th, Medina Gonzalez in 14th, Malisheska in 15th, Novotna in 16th,

01:41:45 Gu in 17th and Kim in 18th.

01:41:48 That is it from women's semi-final A.

01:41:50 We'll be back a little bit later this afternoon for semi-final B.

01:41:53 We'll see you all then. Bye for now.

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