Elena Micheli of Italy finished joint top of women's qualifying at the UIPM World Cup in Sofia ©Getty Images

World Championships silver medallist Elena Micheli of Italy and Britain's Kate French were among the top qualifiers for the women's final at the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) World Cup in Sofia.

Micheli scored 1,004 points to book her place in Friday's (April 9) final in style.

French, winner of the gold medal in the women's event at the last World Cup stop in Budapest, also safely progressed after matching the Italian's score.

Spain's Laura Heredia and Ukraine's Valeriya Permykina were the other two athletes to amass 1,004 points in women's qualification.

Britain's Kate French is on course for a second consecutive World Cup gold ©Getty Images
Britain's Kate French is on course for a second consecutive World Cup gold ©Getty Images

Japanese teenage sensation Natsu Ohta, who finished joint top of women’s qualifying on her debut in senior competition in Budapest, is also through.

Ohta will be aiming to mark her second World Cup appearance with a medal after scoring 997 points.

Olympic silver medallist Elodie Clouvel did enough to make the final after she earned 996 points.

The event, the first of two back-to-back World Cups to be held in Sofia in a competition calendar condensed by the UIPM because of the coronavirus pandemic, is due to continue with men's qualifying tomorrow.