January 22, 2005

Budapest, Hungary - Sherraine MacKay of Brooks, Alta., started out the 2005 world cup season with an eleventh place finish after losing a third round match heartbreaker 15-14 to Li Zhang from China.

MacKay, who recently relocated from Paris to Budapest, training under the tutelage of coach Victor Kulcsar, defeated Barbara Ciszewska of Poland 11-10 in overtime followed by a convincing 15-9 victory over Andreas Rentmeister of Austria.

"It was a decent first competition result and I found it rewarding working with my new coach." MacKay said with a relaxed smile.

Imke Duplitzer of Germany won the gold medal in a dominating fashion beating Ana Branza from Romania 15-8 in the final. France's Laura Flessel-Colovic and Hajnalka Kiraly-Picot earned bronze.

Seven other Canadians competed but were unable to make the top 64 rankings.

Their results were Monique Kavelaars of Appin, Ont., placed 68th, Julie Leprohon of Montreal, Que., 69th, Calgary's Catherine Dunnette 90th, Saskatchewan's Erica Emery 96th, Magda Krol of Vancouver, BC., 97th, Leigh Voigt 99th and Ainsley Switzer 105th both from Toronto, Ont.

Tomorrow, 6th ranked Canada will put their best foot forward in the Team event starting with the Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medalists, Switzerland.

Budapest Westend World Cup Grand Prix official results

Contact:
Geordie MacKay
CFF Media
media@fencing.ca
www.fencing.ca
www.sherrainemackay.com