by Keyan Milanian

kmilanian@thekmgroup.co.uk

Medway’s first international sporting event has begun.

The Modern Pentathlon World Cup is here and after two days of qualifying rounds athletes are gearing up for the finals.

British Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell is expected to feature with 200 other athletes, including world champions and homegrown stars such as James Myatt, of High Halstow.

Heather is joined in the 12-strong British women’s team by Mhairi Spence, ranked 16th in the world, Freyja Prentice, 19, who is 21st in the world, and Beijing 2008 Olympian Katy Livingston , 27th in the world.

Teenager Prentice comes to Medway off the back of a fifth place finish at only the third World Cup of her career in Egypt two weeks ago.

Katy Burke, who finished just behind her in sixth, also competes in Medway.

Nick Woodbridge heads the British challenge in the men’s competition.

The Beijing 2008 Olympian is ranked 26th in the world. But fellow Olympian Sam Weale misses out on Medway through injury.

The British men’s team also includes Jamie Cooke, who turned 19 earlier this month just before competing in his first World Cup in Mexico.

There will also be local interest in the shape of Kate French, aged 19, and 18-year-old James Myatt, two members of Pentathlon GB’s World Class Development Programme, who are both from Kent.

They are among the British pentathletes experiencing their first taste of World Cup action in Medway.

More than 1,000 spectators are expected to attend each day of the finals event on Saturday and Sunday.

On Wednesday the athletes spoke about their hopes.

Myatt was born and raised in Medway and first swam for a club at the Black Lion Leisure Centre, the old name for Medway Park, but now goes to university in Bath.

He said: “I am really looking forward to it, primarily because it’s my first World Cup and I haven’t been home since Christmas.

“It would be amazing to be in the final but I would have to have the competition of a lifetime . I’m looking to this really as a stepping stone.”

uE06E To follow all the events as they happen go to Facebook and join the group Modern Pentathlon World Cup 3 – Medway 2010. Follow the Modern Pentathlon on Twitter@UIPM_HQ