Silver, Bronze for United States

[Craig]

US Fencer Mariel Zagunis (pictured, left) took second place at the Las Vegas Grand Prix event held June 17th-19th. Zagunis, the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal winner, lost to Poland's Aleksandra Socha 13-15 in the gold medal bout. Bronze medalist Sada Jacobson placed 5th. The United States also took third place in the women's sabre team competition and remains a power in both men's and women's sabre.

In the women's sabre team event, Russia continued to dominate winning against China in the gold medal bout. Russia won last year's US-hosted event, held in New York City, and is the reigning world champion for team women's sabre. Russia is locked into first place going into the world championships in September. The United States, currently ranked 7th, has not fenced in a team event this season.

Sylwia Gruchala (right) won the women's foil event, defeating Korean Mi Jung Seo. Germany defeated Russia in the women's foil team final. Italy, fencing without Valentina Vezzali and Giovonna Trillini, only had one fencer in the top 8 and came in third in the team event. Gruchala is currently ranked 7th in women's foil and Italy retains it's #1 team world ranking, primarily due to winning the World Championship event last year.

The next team events will be held at the 2005 World Championships in October in Leipzig, Germany. The final individual events will be held in Havana, Cuba June 24th-28th.