World Cup 3, Budapest, Hungary Day 1

Budapest, Hungary hosts the third world cup of the season. All athletes are looking to gain Olympic Ranking points to try and qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games. The first day of the competition was the Women's Qualification round with 84 women competing in three groups, the top 12 in each group making the semi-final. Team USA was represented by Phaelen French, Madison Gonzalez, and Corinne Thompson.

Group B had French and Gonzalez. The day started with the fencing event. French stayed mostly consistent throughout the day, winning just under half of her bouts. Her score of 194 points put her in 22nd place for the event. Gonzalez had a great day in fencing. Her score of 208 points was over 40 points more than her last World Cup. Her score put her in 16th place for the event. The swimming event was next. Swimming out of heat 1, French swam her way to a 2:26.58, a new personal best by 4 seconds and 26th place in the group. Gonzalez was in the final heat. She had a strong swim and nearly won the heat. Her time of 2:12.60 was the 2nd fastest time in the group. Heading into the laser run, Gonzalez was in 7th place and French was in 26th place. French had a strong run and a good 3rd and 4th shooting series. She had the 11th fastest laser run in her group with a time of 11:51. French moved up a few places and finished in 21st place overall. Gonzalez struggled a little in the first three shooting series but managed to complete the 4th series in 7 seconds. She dropped a few places, crossing the finish line in a time of 12:30 and 19th place overall. Neither French or Gonzalez were able to advance to the semi-final round.

Thompson was the lone American in group C. Her first event was swimming. Thompson dropped 5 seconds from her personal best; swimming a time of 2:33.93, which was 27th in her group. The fencing event was up next. She had a hard time getting momentum but was able to finish strong, winning the last three bouts. Her score of 159 points put her in 27th place. After two events, Thompson was in 27th place. Her laser run time of 13:54 kept her in the same position throughout the race, finishing in 27th place overall in her group and not advancing to the semi-final round.

Tomorrow is the men's qualification, with athletes looking to make the top 12 in their groups. GO TEAM USA!!!