Tavistock's Kate Allenby is 'really pleased' after coming fourth in the Modern Pentathlon World Cup final at the University of Bath on Sunday — her first competition since winter, writes Ann Parsons.
'I really had no idea how I would perform at the event. It was make or break as to whether the season would be over for me, but I didn't dare tell anyone,' Kate said.
Following her shoulder injury not long after winning the women's pentathlete bronze medal in the Sydney Olympics last September, Kate was unable to do any proper training, and was not able to swim seriously until March.
Disastrously, as soon as she was was declared fit from the shoulder injury she sprained her ankle and was unable to do any running. It had been a 'rough winter'.
Kate said that her ankle and shoulder had held up well during the competition, although she had strapped the ankle for the fencing in the final as a precaution.
The winner on Sunday was team-mate Steph Cook, whom Kate had beaten into second place on Friday at the semi-final stage.
'Considering I have had only eight weeks' training and the others have been training since last November the result was brilliant,' Kate said.
The local athletics star will be competing in the European Championships at the end of June, but will be going to Germany at the beginning of the month for the qualifier to get extra match practice.
Kate will then compete in the World Championships which take place at Millfield School in Street, Somerset, from July 16 to 22.
Local support would be appreciated, said Kate.
'If anyone would like to come along to watch and cheer, I will be competing in the team event on the Tuesday and the individual final on the Saturday,' Kate said.
Full details of the World Championships can be found on the website http://www.pentathlon.co.uk">www.pentathlon.co.uk