Lena Schoneborn and Patrick Dogue victorious at Ministry of Defence Cup

The unique format of competition of the Ministry of Defence Cup again captured the imagination of the crowds in the Russian capital Moscow. Unlike any other of competition on the Modern Pentathlon calendar, the event offers only one draw, the Mixed Relay, with the world’s strongest nations going head-to-head with a prize money pot of $50,000. After the success of the hosts Russia last year, there was high hopes that the home nation could do it once again. However it was not to be as Lena Schoneborn and Patrick Dogue from Germany claimed the winner’s trophy as the Russian duo of Ekaterina Khuraskina and Aleksander Lesun had to settle for silver with Hungary’s Sarolta Kovacs and Bence Demeter coming home in bronze medal position. Schoneborn began her campaign inn inspired form, fencing superbly on her way to 15 victories on the pistes. Dogue was acquitting himself way as he won 10 to give Germany the lead going into the swim. A near-perfect ride then ensured they would begin the combined in pole and from there they made no mistake to triumph in style. The tournament was covered UIPM partner NTV Plus and broadcast live across Russia. There were plenty of spectators and fans of Modern Pentathlon in the stadium with former pentathlete and now popular TV journalist Denis Stoikov commentating and entertaining the crowds with his unique interaction with the public. Find out more on the Russian Modern Pentathlon Federation website HERE [gallery ids="1911,1910,1909"]