Beijing, September 16 - A strong group of pentathletes consolidated their rankings at the top of the competition ladder after the fencing event, the second leg of today's competition. One fencer who had plenty to prove was the "Olympic Best Performance" holder Elen Rublevska (LAT). She took control of the competition from her opening bout and came away with 25 wins from 35 starts to top-score with 1,000 points.
 
Like in the men's fencing yesterday, the spectators at the Fencing Hall were treated to an outstanding desplay of skill. However, the "World Best Performance" score of 1216 (held by Brazilian Jane Marques) always seemed safe.
 
Great Britain's Katherine Livingstone was attentive in every bout to score 24 victories. While the energetic Edita Maloszyc (POL) finished the third with 23 wins.
 
The local Chinese competitors, the passionate Liu Zhou and tentative Xiu Xiu, finished with 19 and 17 wins respectively. The competition's earlier leader, Germany's Lena Schoneborn, also scored 17 victories.
 
After the first two events, Rublevska had a good lead with 2132 points, ahead of second-placed Mhairi Spence (GBR) with 2072 points. Fourth-placed Amelie Caze (FRA) should have little trouble improving her standing with a good result in the third discipline, the swimming.
 
Top 5 results in fencing:
 
1. Elen Rublevska (LAT)
2. Katherine Livingstone (GBR)
3. Edita Maloszyc (POL)
4. Amelie Caze (FRA)
4. Mhairi Spence (GBR)
 
Top 5 standings:
1. Elen Rublevska (LAT)
2. Mhairi Spence (GBR)
3. Katherine Livingstone (GBR)
4. Amelie Caze (FRA)
5. Lena Schoneborn (GER)