Britain’s Jamie Cooke won the first Modern Pentathlon World Cup medal of his career today (Sunday), and he did it in style, taking gold in Budapest.

 
The 22-year-old, who won the World Junior Championships in Argentina in 2011, had to produce a gritty and spirited performance to battle back from 24th place after the fencing.
 
But the world number 40 ranked athlete was the fastest in the pool, went clear in the ride and then produced a terrific run/shoot to take gold.
 
It rounded off a fantastic weekend for the British team in Budapest that had already seen reigning world champion Mhairi Spence take bronze in the women’s final yesterday (Saturday), while Sam Weale, competing at his first World Cup since London 2012, came home in sixth place today.
 
Cooke went into the run/shoot in fourth, 21 seconds behind event leader, Hungary’s world number two Adam Marosi, the bronze medallist at the London 2012 Olympics who had already won World Cup gold in Rio in March and silver in Palm Springs in February.
 
But Cooke overhauled him on the third visit to the shooting range, using just six shots to hit the five targets in 10.35 seconds. Marosi needed nine shots and 20 seconds to start his third of four 800m runs.
 
Cooke remained calm, again using just six shots to hit the five targets and left the range for the last time with a nine second lead over the Hungarian. Cooke’s lead never looked in danger on the last run and he crossed the line 10 seconds clear of Marosi.
 
Afterwards Cooke said: “This was my first World Cup medal, so I’m so happy. I never thought I would do this after the fencing this morning, but I had a good swim, a good ride and a good combined.  My shooting was definitely the key today.
 
“Adam (Marosi) was awesome all day and I was definitely scared with him behind me at the end,” he added. “I just ran as fast as I could.”
 
Jan Bartu, Pentathlon GB Performance Director, said: "This was a fantastic conclusion to the four World Cups this year and a good start to the Rio Olympic cycle for us.
 
“It was an amazing performance by Jamie and a massive milestone for Pentathlon GB.  He seemed to be fearless in the combined event today. It was the hardest World Cup this year, all the top athletes were competing here, but it all came together for Jamie.
 
“I was pleased to see two athletes finishing in the top six in the men’s final. It’s the first time I can recall that happening in my 15 years as Performance Director,” he added. “It was good to Sam Weale return after struggling with a foot injury. He seems more relaxed and that was probably the best combination I’ve seen from him today.  He showed he has matured as an athlete.”
 
Weale made a good start to his return to international after London 2012, winning 19 of his 35 fencing contests for joint 14th place with 856 pentathlon points. Cooke’s 15 wins put him 24th with 760 points.
 
Cooke produced a trademark strong swim to climb 10 places. His 200m freestyle time of 1:54.88 in the 25m pool was more than a second faster than the next quickest time and earned 1424 points.
 
Weale’s 2:02.02 was the 12th fastest time of the day, promoting him to joint 12th ahead of the ride.
 
Korea’s Jinhwa Jung led, but at this stage the top-15 athletes were separated by just 116 points, worth only 29 seconds in the run/shoot.
 
Both of the Brits rode well to move into the top-five ahead of the run/shoot. Cooke produced a clean and tidy round, going clear within the allowed time to bag the maximum 1200 points. That promoted him to fourth place overall.
 
Weale looked set to go clear too, but he had the third from last fence down in an otherwise clear round. That added 1160 points to his total, putting him joint fifth going into the run/shoot.
 
Cooke started just 10 seconds behind Hungary’s leader Adam Marosi, with Weale a further 11 seconds back. Marosi and compatriot Bence Demeter, now second, were the only other two riders to go clear in the time allowed in the ride.
 
And Cooke went on to take gold with the fastest run/shoot time of the day, clocking 11:18.75. Weale’s 11:41.61 saw him end the day in sixth, 34 seconds behind his team-mate.
 
World Cup 4 in Budapest is the last opportunity for athletes to score points to qualify for the World Cup Final, which takes place at Nizhny-Novgorod in Russia from 31 May to 2 June.
 
World Cup 4 results
Gold:  Jamie Cooke (GBR) – 5872 points
Silver:  Adam Marosi (HUN) – 5832 points
Bronze:  Jean Maxence Berrou (FRA) – 5768 points
6th: Sam Weale (GBR) – 5736 points
 
 
The GB team for Modern Pentathlon World Cup 4 is:
 
Women
Katy Burke – 01.06,89, Cleveleys, near Blackpool - Bath
Samantha Murray – 25.09.90, Clitheroe, Lancashire - Bath
Mhairi Spence – 31.08.85, Farr, near Inverness - Bath
 
Men
Jamie Cooke  - 03.03.91, Cheltenham - Bath
Sam Weale – 09.02.82, East Coker near Yeovil, Somerset
 
World Cup 4 schedule
Thursday 9 May – women’s semi-finals
Friday 10 May – men’s semi-finals
Saturday 11 May – women’s final
Sunday 12 May – men’s final
 
 
2013 senior modern pentathlon calendar
 
20-24 February: World Cup 1 – Palm Springs, USA
20-24 March: World Cup 2 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
17-21 April: World Cup 3 – Chengdu, China
8-12 May: World Cup 4 – Budapest, Hungary
31 May – 2 June: World Cup Final – Nizhny-Novgorod, Russia
11-17 July: European Championships – Drzonkow, Poland
15-21 August: World Championships – Kaoshiung, Chinese Taipei
 
Pentathlon GB is the National Governing Body for the Olympic Sport of Modern Pentathlon. For further information please see www.pentathlongb.org
 
You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PentathlonGB and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PentathlonGB
 
The modern pentathlon sees athletes tackle fencing, swimming, show jumping and a run/shoot all in one day.
 
Great Britain's women have collected an impressive haul of five modern pentathlon medals from the last four Olympic Games, with Steph Cook winning gold at Sydney 2000 and Kate Allenby bronze, Georgina Harland taking bronze at Athens in 2004, Heather Fell winning silver at Beijing in 2008 and Samantha Murray taking silver at London last year.

For further information members of the media can contact the Pentathlon GB press office at Matchtight Ltd on 01225 383518.

Part Time National Development Manager Recruitment

Pentathlon GB is the national governing body for Modern Pentathlon in the UK.  We have had a highly successful period, including Olympic medal success at London 2012 and the securing of funding to support our Participation and World Class aspirations.

The Role

We are seeking to recruit an experienced and dynamic part time National Development Manager to manage a small team and be part of the Senior Management Team to drive our ambitions and deliver our Operational Plan by maximising resources and building capacity. 

The key areas of development for the role are:

1.         Increasing the number of people participating in the sports of Modern Pentathlon as members of the Association.

2.         Providing opportunities for supporting the development of the English Talent Programme at regional and national levels.

Location

Pentathlon GB Head Office is at the University of Bath and the role can either be based here or from home.  There will be a requirement for national travel.

Remuneration Package

The post is part time, equivalent to three days per week, the salary will dependent on experience within the range of £40,000 - £45,000 (pro rata).

Knowledge and Experience

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a proven experience of developing sport, excellent people skills and ability to deliver on objectives.  This should include the ability to demonstrate experience in majority of the following areas:

1.         Able to demonstrate a good understanding of the sporting structures in Great Britain.

2.         Previous experience of developing sport and encouraging participation (min 2 years).

3.         Able to demonstrate previous experience in managing projects, setting goals and achieving results.

4.         Able to form effective realationships and partnerships to enable the delivery of projects.

5.         Able to demonstrate an understanding of coordinating and managing teams of people.

6.         Proven ability to effectively work as part of a team and if necessary be able to use initiative and lead peers when required.

Appointment Process

If you are interested in further information including the Job Description and Competency Profile please contact the Office Manager, Ellie Guest Eleanor.guest@pentathlongb.org In addition if you would like an informal discussion about this opportunity, contact Ellie who will be able to assist.

If you would like to be considered for this role please forward your CV and covering letter to the email address above, detailing your reasons for applying and suitability for the role by 1700 on 23 May 2013.

The intended timescale for interview will be the week commencing the 3 June 2013.

The manufacturers of IQ systems have very recently raised a safety concern about the power of lasers used in some laser pistols. Pentathlon GB is making further enquiries about this but while the matter is being clarified it is recommended that laser pistols should not be used in continuous beam mode, even for training sessions. 

Members are reminded that all pistols, whether used with pellet or converted for use with laser should always be treated as potentially dangerous weapons. They must never be pointed at anyone else and when not in use should always be either boxed or left unloaded, with breach open, pointed down the range.  Never walk in the line of fire of any pistol, laser or pellet. 

In summary, do not use continuous beam unless advised that you should do so – and never point a laser pistol at anyone.

Jon Austin
CEO
Pentathlon GB

Dear Masters,

The dates for the 2013 European Masters Championship in Budapest, Hungary have been confirmed as 12 – 15 September 2013.

The organisers will send out the detailed invitation in the beginning of June.

I am sure that our Hungarian friends will organise a splendid competition right in the center of the Modern Pentathlon history. For many many years the Masters have not been invited to Budapest for competitions.  Now we must show have many and how good we are.

NEUSS (GER)  Competition

Please see the invitation here.  Please notice the last entry date:  Sunday 14th April.

TARTU (EST) Competition

Please see the invitation here for this very good competition in Estonia from  7 – 9th June.

Best regards

Erik Pock
Chairman UIPM Masters Committee

saucekok@mail.tele.dk

Pentathlon GB Insurance Update

This update includes information on two key areas:

1.         Public Liability insurance for Clubs and

2.         Travel Insurance

Clubs

The position about Club Insurance (meaning the public liability insurance of the Club and those who run it) as opposed to the public liability insurance of the individual members (who are covered in accordance with policy terms provided they are paid up members of Pentathlon GB) has not been sufficiently clear.  Accordingly from 1 April 2013 we have decided that in addition to individual members, all affiliated clubs will also be covered in accordance with policy terms.

Travel Insurance

Travel abroad - i.e. outside Great Britain. We remind members that Pentathlon GB Travel Insurance covers only those members who are travelling abroad to compete, or train, as part of a team officially sanctioned by Pentathlon GB.  This would normally be led by a member of the Pentathlon GB Performance Team or the Pentathlon GB Biathle Director.

Pentathlon GB members who are travelling abroad to compete or train with their club, or alone, should ensure that they purchase specialist sports travel insurance.

Members should not rely solely on their ordinary travel insurance as a claim may well be turned down on the grounds of material non-disclosure e.g. the fact that you were competing or training.  This applies to all the elements of Modern Pentathlon, not just those involving potentially dangerous activities: insurers may turn down your claim for an accident which occurs during a training session or competition if you do not purchase specialist sports travel insurance.  Members should check with their travel insurance provider that cover extends to include their non-incidental sporting activity both on a competing and/or training basis."

April 2013

PentathlonGB Biathle is pleased to announce a sponsorship deal with Warranty Direct.

Warranty Direct are to sponsor the 2013 GB Biathle Series and the National Biathle Championships. This deal, amongst other things, will enable the prize fund for the overall Series standings to be increased from the top three to the top six in each class with value of the winners prizes rising to £100. 

Warranty Direct is the industry's leading provider of direct consumer warranties. They specialise in mechanical breakdown insurance for vehicles and warranties for most cars vans and motorbikes as well as extended warranties for brown and white household goods.
Warranty Direct will be an important partner helping promote the exciting sport of Biathle and making the event available to many more competitors both young and old though the various age categories.

The administration office at Pentathlon GB HQ will be closed from 1700 today (27 March 2013) and will re-open again at 0900 on Tuesday 02 April 2013.

If you wish to get in touch over that period then you can either leave an answer phone message on the office phone (01225 386808) or e-mail admin@pentathlongb.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Have a great Easter weekend, and keep up the Pentathlon training!!

Millfield School pupil Alexander Allen collected his fourth individual title in five years at the Pentathlon GB British Schools Modern Biathlon Championships finals in London today (Sunday).

He dominated the boy's Year 10/11 group competition, taking a second off his personal best for the 100m freestyle swim, setting a new benchmark of 56.28 seconds.  He followed that up with the 2:45.04 for the 1000m for the run, again, the fastest time in the 29-strong field.

Just for good measure, he joined forces with James Rustom and Jason Haw to help Millfield to the Year 10 & 11 boys’ team title.

Alexander has now won individual titles at Year 7 in 2009, Year 9, Year 10 and Year 10/11. He missed out on the Year 8 title in 2010 when he had to pull out of the competition with a heavy cold.

“The swim went really well today with a one-second personal best. It was just a case of sticking with them in the run then, I knew it was in my grasp,” he said.

“We really wanted to win this team title this year, we haven’t done that for a while.”

There was another success for the South West with Laura McNab from the Royal High School in Bath winning the Year 7 girls’ competition – she won the Year 6 girls’ competition last year.

This year the Year 6 title went to another Bath schoolgirl, Rhiannon Bowen, a pupil at Moorlands Junior School.

William Mitchell, Archie Carr and Victor Webb from Bath’s Monkton Combe Junior School won the Year 6 boys’ team title.

George Tester of Taunton Preparatory School followed up his Year 5 boys’ title last year by winning the Year 6 competition this year.  He did it in style with both the fastest swim and the fastest run in the group.

The team from Queen’s College, also in Taunton, returned to Somerset with the Year 10 & 11 girls’ team gold, courtesy of Rebecca Wilde, Keren Greenow and Tess Down.

The Howorth brothers, John and Robert, and Henry Dixon, from St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge, won the Year 8 boys' team title.

And Toby Samuel, Freddie Pryce and Max Duffield from Castle Court Preparatory School in Wimborne, Dorset, won the Year 5 boys’ team title.

Charlotte Blake, Ottilie Whelan and Kate Peach of Kingsbridge Community College in Devon, won the Year 8 girls’ team title.

The men’s teacher competition was won by Adam Gough of Huish Primary School in Yeovil.

Afterwards Jon Austin, Chief Executive Officer of Pentathlon GB paid tribute to everyone who helped make the championships such a big success again this year.

“It’s been an enormous challenge to pull the championships together in the current weather conditions,” he said.

“I would particularly like to thank Sue Hyde our National Competitions and Events Manager, who, despite the uncertainties over the weather, remained resolutely determined to make sure the championships took place,

“I’d also like to thank all of the volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the event happened today, as well as the schools, parents and athletes for showing the commitment to making the championships the successful event it has proved to be over the years.

“Thanks too for everyone at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre for their support in making sure the competition could go ahead.”

The schools biathlon is run by Pentathlon GB, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of modern pentathlon, and gives young athletes an opportunity to have a go at a multi-sport competition featuring a run and a swim. They could also try out fencing and shooting taster sessions.

This year young athletes also got the opportunity to meet Heather Fell, who won modern pentathlon silver for Great Britain at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Heather, who presented medals and trophies to many of this year’s winners, said: “Being involved with the championships this year really brought back fond memories. It was great to be a part of it today and to meet so many talented young athletes.”

Barbara Woodward, Director General of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and a member of the Pentathlon GB Board, also made a number of presentations.

Some former participants have gone on to represent Great Britain on the senior international circuit.  They include Jamie Cooke, Britain’s 2011 world junior champion and Joe Evans, who won bronze on his World Cup debut in California a month ago. Both are currently in Rio for the second World Cup of the year.

There were individual and team awards up for grabs in each year group from Year 5 up to Years 12/13.

Year 5, 6 and 7 pupils and teachers complete a 50m swim and a 500m run, with Years 8 to 13 pupils tackling a 100m swim and 1000m run.

For results go to www.pentathlongb.org/schools/index.php?tab=7

You can also follow our coverage of the action on our Facebook and Twitter pages at www.facebook.com/PentathlonGB and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PentathlonGB

Pentathlon GB is the National Governing Body for the Olympic Sport of Modern Pentathlon. For further information please see www.pentathlongb.org

For further information members of the media can contact the Pentathlon GB press office at Matchtight Ltd on 01225 383518 or 07765 071683.

Entry details have now been received for the European Biathle Championships to be held in Setubal, Portugal over the weekend of 20th and 21st July. This event will also be part of the Biathle World Tour so, in effect, will comprise two competitions within one for the GBR team. The organisers have provided packages for Lisbon airport transfers and accommodation in Setabul at two hotels. See the calendar for further details.

Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) is the governing body for the Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon. Modern Pentathlon has been on the Olympic Programme since 1912 following the conception by Baron Pierre de Coubertin to include a unique sport reflective of the ancient pentathlon. The five disciplines of Modern Pentathlon are fencing, swimming, equestrian, laser shooting and 3,200m run.

UIPM has created a new and challenging post, based at its Headquarters in Monaco. The Development Manager will be in charge of managing the UIPM Strategic Plans for Development programmes and will report to the UIPM Secretary General.

Key Responsibilities

·      To manage the launching of any initiatives proposed  in the Strategic Plans for the Development of Modern Pentathlon as agreed by the UIPM Executive Board

·      To manage, develop and improve existing UIPM Development Programmes such as

-        Certification courses for National Federation Coaches

-        Development competitions such as World School Biathlon, Triathle and Tetrathlon

-        Creation of new Modern Pentathlon federations

·      To create best practice manuals for Continental Confederations and National Federations

·      To develop new projects and ideas for UIPM Development

·      To manage Olympic Solidarity and other funding programmes

·      Create an integral an comprehensive marketing and sponsorship plan in coordination with UIPM partners and stakeholders

·      Work with the UIPM Communications Manager to increase media presence and sponsorship at UIPM events

·      To retain existing clients by ensuring they receive excellent customer service and then keep a dialogue open to ensure they are aware of all future opportunities

·      To proactively identify and source new business

·      To work alongside the UIPM EB Member for Marketing to constantly review UIPM’s hospitality product to ensure it is of the highest standards

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·      Educated to University degree level preferably in the fields of sport management

·      Minimum of 3 years of experience in the field of sport and event management in major sporting events or organization

·      Any other relevant sport industry experience is an asset

·      Experience in policy development, project management, knowledge transfer,

·      implementation and monitoring of all levels of sport projects

·      A solid knowledge and understanding of the international sports community

Preferred Skills:

·      Strong organizational skills with the ability to set and manage priorities and cope with a demanding workload

·      Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels

·      The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

·      Problem solving skills

·      High level of attention to detail

·      Willingness to travel and flexibility

·      Enthusiastic and motivational

Languages:

English is the working languages of the UIPM headquarters. Fluency in oral and written English is a must. Working knowledge of other languages, in particular French is an advantage.

Other Skills:

Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office) is required, as well as ability to keep abreast of technological developments in the field of business management

Immediate Start

Deadline for Applications: 10 March 2013

Apply Here:  http://www.sportsrecruitment.com/jobs/details/937/development-manager

A new shooting certificate is being introduced with effect from 1st January 2014.  From this date all athletes wishing to compete in Triathlon, Tetrathlon, Pentathlon or any other competition involving either static or combined run/shoot will need to have lodged a shooting certificate with Head Office. The shooting certificate is available from https://www.pentathlongb.org/resources/forms/ShootingCertificate.pdf.

Assurance for the future

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today agreed on the 25 sports it will propose to the 125th IOC Session for approval as the core sports for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

The 25 sports include modern pentathlon.

(The EB recommended that wrestling, governed by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), not be included on the list of core sports. Wrestling will now join the seven shortlisted sports – baseball/softball, karate, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, wakeboarding and wushu – vying for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic programme as an additional sport.)

Though the matter has to be approved by the IOC session from 7 to 10 September in Buenos Aires, Argentina this is great news for our sport, for us at Pentathlon GB and for our future.

Great news!

Tony Temple – for the Board 

The exciting combined run/shoot has now been introduced into the triathlon, tetrathlon and pentathlon for all age groups with immediate effect.  The triathlon competition retains precision shooting and therefore the competition for all age groups will comprise; shoot, swim, combined run/shoot.  The 2013 Rules for Modern Biathlon and Triathlon can be found by following this link - https://www.pentathlongb.org/pentathlongb/resources.php?tab=1.  Appendix 1 at the back of the rules has a summary of the competition format.

Qualifying competitions are being held in the following regions: Yorkshire, North West, West Midlands, South West and South East.  Dates and further details can be accessed via the calendar.  Athletes who reside in regions that are not organising a qualifying competition should enter the regional competition most convenient to them in order to gain valuable competition experience in the new format and to qualify for the British Championships.

We have been informed by the German Federation that there will be no BIathle World Tour in Germany in 2013. To date, World Tour events have been confirmed in Italy, Portugal and Great Britain. Please see the Biathle calendar for further details.  

Pentathlon GB is pleased to announce that Barbara Woodward has been appointed to the Board of Directors with immediate effect.

Mrs Woodward is currently the Director General of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), she is a member of the FCO Board and is listed as one of the top 200 civil servants in Whitehall.  Prior to this Barbara has gained a huge amount of experience in a variety of challenging roles and a number of countries.  She brings both this knowledge and a love of sport to the Board, having been involved with Team GB during the Beijing Olympics, and competed in both swimming and running events.

We welcome Barbara and wish her every success as a member of the Board.  We are extremely pleased to have such an experienced member contributing to the progression of Pentathlon GB.

The minutes for the 2012 AGM can be found here:  http://pentathlongb.org/resources/other/20130109-Pentathlon%20GB%20AGM%202012%20Minutes-Final.pdf

Pentathlon GB have just published their End of Year Review 2012!!

Have a look at it here:  http://pentathlongb.org/resources/other/20121205-End%20of%20Year%20Review.pdf

There's a competition included in there so don't forget to go and like us on Facebook for your chance to win one of five Pentathlon GB sweatshirts!!

The Pentathlon GB AGM took place on 08 Dec 12.  A short summary of the decisions is as follows:

• The amended version of the Memorandum of Articles was proposed and agreed.
• The accounts were approved.
• Haysmacintyre were re-appointed as the organisation's auditors.
• The re-election of the Chairman, Treasurer and two Members was uncontested.

The full minutes will be published on the website shortly.