PLYMOUTH College pentathletes Jess Manning and Annabel Denton both claimed personal bests on their Great Britain debuts at the second World Biathle Tour event of the year in Italy.

Manning (pictured above) knocked 30 seconds of her best time to claim second place in the Youth B girls’ event in nine minutes and 45 seconds.

Denton (pictured left) improved her previous best mark by 17 seconds to take sixth in the Youth D girls in 4.38 minutes. She had been third coming out of the swim.

It was the first time the girls had competed overseas. The event consisted of a continuous run-swim-run with different distances for each age group. Other countries competing included Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Mexico and Argentina as well as the host team, Italy.

College pentathlon coach Josh Lake said: “The girls have been working very hard, particularly to improve their run, which has been rewarded with these fantastic results.

“Their performances will give them great confidence for the next World Biathle Tour event in Portugal in July.”

Meanwhile, in race three of  GB Biathle Series in Cheltenham, Oliver Smart came first in the Youth D boys’ category, Edward Smart second in the Youth C boys’ event, Manning third and Eimear O’Neill fifth in the Youth B girls and Denton 10th in the Youth D girls’ section.