Murray is the reigning women's world champion had a mixed performance in the semi-final stage of the event in Florida but improved in the final to take gold.

The 25-year-old world champion scored well in the 200 metres swimming section of the competition to put herself in contention for gold, finishing in 2min 09.84sec.

She was lying in second place behind Marguax Isaksen of the United States after the fencing and swimming events, but the American had a difficult time in the riding portion of the competition placing 24th, which saw her drop to third in the standings, with Murray assuming the lead.

The Olympic silver medallist refused to let her advantage slip in the combined shooting and running event, which rounds off the competition, to seal the first World Cup title of the season and earn valuable points for Rio 2016 qualification.

World champion and London 2012 silver medallist Samantha Murray scored valuable ranking points for Rio 2016 with her victory in Sarasota-Bradenton ©UIPM

"I am really proud of myself because in the semi-final I was really shaky and felt like I wasn't in the right place mentally to do a competition, but I took the time yesterday to think about everything and try and find that feeling I had at the World Championships and bring it to the World Cup," said Murray.

"The thing with pentathlon is that you should be really happy when you make the podium because with five diverse events you never know what's going to happen.

"I'm just really grateful for every time I stand on the podium because I see that as a massive achievement."

Despite her blip in the horse riding event, Isaksen was able to take the silver medal in front of a home crowd, while another Briton Kate French had an excellent combined event to finish third and elevated herself into the bronze medal position in the final standings.

Sarasota-Bradenton will host the men's Modern Pentathlon World Cup event on Saturday ©UIPM





Following the women's event UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: "We have witnessed a wonderful competition full of excitement, skill and passion from the athletes who are to be congratulated, one and all.

"From the success and excitement of the fencing bonus round all the way to the atmosphere of the pool, the grace of human and horse working together in the riding and the thrill of the combined event, we have experienced every emotion today."

Sarasota-Bradenton is also set to host tomorrow's men's final, while Egypt, Italy and Hungary are also set to stage World Cup events this series before the Grand Final is due to take place in the Belarussian capital Minsk from June 12 to 14.

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