Sydney, Australia – The world No.1 women’s epee fencer, Sherraine Schalm-MacKay, defeated Imke Duplitzer from Germany 15-12 to win the Sydney Challenge 2006 Grand Prix World Cup Saturday.

In a year that Schalm-MacKay of Brooks, Alberta has dominated the world cup circuit; it marked the third time this year the two powerhouses have met up in the finals with Sherraine winning on every occasion.

"It always feels amazing to win, but afterwards I always ask whether that’s really it? There are no more opponents?" Schalm-Mackay said following her fourth world cup victory of the season.

Earlier in the day Schalm-MacKay defeated Yin Ning Chan from Hong Kong 15-11 followed by wins over Canadian teammate Julie Leprohon of Montreal 12-9, last weeks World Cup winner Weiping Zhong from China 15-8 in the quarterfinals and Hyo-Jung Jung from Korea 15-13 in the semifinals.

China’s Lanlan Qin and Korea’s Hyo-Jung Jung won the bronze medals.

“It was a good competition because I knew I needed the points to crawl back to No.1 in the world and I LOVE fencing "under pressure". I accepted the challenge and did my best, while enjoying the game and wanting the day to last as long as possible. Thankfully, it did last as long as it possibly could! I am getting back into top form after a good long break in April. Next stop, Havana!”

Other Canadian results:

Julie Leprohon finished 12^th winning her first round match 15-5 against Yi Nei Cheung from Hong Kong and her second match verses Polish fencer Beata Tereba 11-10 before bowing out to Schalm-MacKay in the round of 16.

Calgary’s Catherine Dunnette lost her first round match in a nail biter to Dimitra Magkanoudaki from Greece 15-14 to finish 38^th.

Full results: