BARCELONA – In the largest World Cup turn-out of the year (161 fencers), epee fencer Sherraine MacKay of Brooks, Alta., won the bronze medal eventually losing 15-8 to the gold medallist Anna Sivkova of Russia.

Earlier in the day MacKay disposed of half the Romanian team with solid wins over Loredana Iordachioiu 15-10 and Anca Bacioiu 15-11. Her next match was a comeback victory as she squeaked by Ukraine's Yana Shemyakina 15-13.  

Sherraine's biggest moral victory may have come in the quarter-finals as she buried some old Athens Olympic ghosts defeating Jeanne Christou of Greece 15-12.

"It is about 10 months too late" she said after beating the girl who defeated her at the Olympics, "but at least it shows some clear progress, mentally and physically."

With two consecutive Grand Prix bronze medals, MacKay has moved up to fifth on the world cup rankings.

"Consistent performances are a sign of a maturing athlete and as I turn 30 in a few weeks I am pleased that I have something to show for my age!"

Anna Sivkova defeated Magdalena Grabowska from Poland 15-9 in the final while Danuta Dmowska also from Poland shared the bronze medal podium with MacKay.

Canada was well represented as 4 others finished in the top 64.  Monique Kavelaars of Appin, Ont., finishing 39^th, Julie Leprohon of Montreal finished 44^th, Ainsley Switzer from Toronto placed 56^th while Calgary's Catherine Dunnette came 57^th.