A strong group of pentathletes consolidated their rankings at the top of the competition ladder after the fencing event, the second leg of today's competition. One fencer who had plenty to prove was the "Olympic Best Performance" holder Elen Rublevska (LAT). She took control of the competition from her opening bout and came away with 25 wins from 35 starts to top-score with 1,000 points.

Just as in the men's fencing yesterday, the spectators at the Fencing Hall were treated to an outstanding display of skills. Nevertheless, the "World Best Performance" score of 1,216 (held by Brazilian Jane Marques) seemed safe.

Great Britain's Katherine Livingstone was attentive in every bout to score 24 victories, while the energetic Edita Maloszyc of Poland finished in third place with 23 wins.

The local Chinese competitors -- the passionate Liu Zhou and Xiu Xiu -- finished with 19 and 17 wins respectively. The competition's earlier leader, Germany's Lena Schoneborn, also scored 17 victories.

After the first two events, Rublevska had a good lead with 2,132 points, ahead of second-placed Mhairi Spence (GBR), who had 2,072 points. Fourth-placed Amelie Caze (FRA) should have little trouble improving her standing with a good result in the third discipline, swimming.

(BOCOG September 16, 2007)