White and Albini top the pile as GB dominate in fencing hall

BRITISH fledgling fencers Ben White and Elisa Albini have captured Australian Youth Olympic Festival gold as Team GB swept up six of the eight fencing medals on offer.

CLEAN SWEEP: (l-r) Corinna Lawrence, Albini, Chang, Hannah Lawrence at AYOF

Albini defeated team-mate Corinna Lawrence in the final as all four semi-finalists were Brits as Albini overcame Hannah Lawrence and Corinna Lawrence defeat Caitlin Chang in the last four.

While White, having edged a narrow victory over fellow Brit Luke Kuhmley in the last four and went on to defeat Australian John Downes to claim gold. 

"In the beginning I was quite nervous and lost one pool match which I should have won," said Albini, who is based in Milan, Italy and has an English mother. 

"Then I felt confident in the eliminations. I'm really proud that I won the final against Corrina as I think she was the best fencer here.

"It was really cool to see four Union Flags raised during the national anthem, it doesn't happen often so it's really nice."

Silver medallist Corinna Lawrence said "The first few stages I felt stiff and a bit nervous. It's so different here because the style of the New Zealander and Australian fencers is so different to the Europeans I'm used to.

"Any one of the Brits could've won today. The team spirit is really good and we're out to win the team event tomorrow."

Hannah Lawrence, 20, said, "I'm feeling really great about my medal. It could be the start of something more for future Olympic Games.

"London 2012 is definitely an ambition. I feel really proud to be part of this team and pleased that everybody got a medal."

Chang, the youngest member of the squad at 15, added, "This is only my second international so I'm really pleased with my medal. We're definitely hoping for the team gold tomorrow."

And White also believes team gold is within the realms of possibility for the GB men.

"I started out really nervous and dropped one fight in my pool," he said. "After that I just blitzed through the eliminations and got to the semi finals, where unfortunately I had to fence a team-mate, which I always hate.

"I got into the final and won it. I feel so proud to have won a medal on such a successful day for Team GB. I really want another gold in the team event tomorrow."