Crowds pack Nathan Benderson Park Friday at Pentathlon women’s fencing

It was a packed house Friday at the women’s fencing final events, and this time, the weather was perfect.

A warm, sunny day with no wind aided organizer in attracting spectators to the first day of finals competition as the Modern Pentathlon World Cup I continued. The opening night ceremonies had been plagued by atypical cold and heavy rain.Cathy Vegliange, a retiree who lives part time at Siesta Key and part time in Connecticut, said she had come to Nathan Benderson Park in order to cheer on Hungarian friends and relatives who were competing in the games.

“The park is magnificent,” she said, looking around at the lake, white tents and bleachers packed packed with spectators enjoying fencing matches that took place on a sunlit stage. “The fencing, we’re learning about; we’re getting interested in all these events,” she said.

“It’s great entertainment.”

The pentathlon competition continues through Sunday at the park, Selby Aquatic Center and the Evalyn Sadlier Jones YMCA, all in Sarasota.

This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Crowds pack Nathan Benderson Park Friday at Pentathlon women’s fencing."