By Ottawa Sportspage
Coming off an 11th-place finish at the London 2012 Olympics, Ottawa’s Melanie McCann began her new modern pentathlon season on the right foot by placing 22nd at a Feb. 26 World Cup in California, and then following it up with a 16th-place showing at the March 26 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“World Cup #2 in Rio was a great event for me,” McCann said in a press release. “Finishing second to the Olympic Champion in my qualifying pool earlier in the week was a huge confidence boost.
“In the Finals, it was critical to stay focused all day as I battled to find consistency, with a good showing in the physical events like the swim and run and a challenge in the technical events like my fence, ride and shoot.
“I’m definitely pleased with a 16th place finish with such a competitive field. But lots to work on as well – to get faster, stronger and more focused in the more technical events.”