McCartney on the rise: second highest vault in world this year

Pole vaulter Eliza McCartney’s comeback has continued with victory at a meeting in Luxembourg. Picture by Lynne Cameron/www.photosport.nz

New Zealand pole vaulter Eliza McCartney has recorded her equal-third highest clearance to win a meet in Luxembourg as she ramps up preparations for next month’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

The 2016 Olympic bronze medallist cleared 4.85 metres, her best height since 2019 and the second highest in the world this year behind world and Olympic champion Katie Moon of the United States.

“As you can imagine, I am really happy with the result,” McCartney said. “It was a funny competition. I didn’t find it easy for no other reason that I wasn’t as on as I’d like to be, but the conditions were great, and we had an enthusiastic crowd around the pole vault which made it so much easier. I was grateful for their support.

“I struggled a little bit in warm-up and during the competition, but the heights were there today and it was an outstanding result given that I wasn’t feeling so good.

“I’m happy to hit a season’s best and be back in the 4.80s again and to be jumping in the 80s again for the first time since 2019.

“There is a lot more in there. It is just small gains at the moment. I’m taking it one step at a time and looking forward to competing in Jockgrim on August 4, which will be my last one before the world champs.”

After several years of injury struggles, McCartney is returning to her best form.

The Auckland-based vaulter claimed the New Zealand title in Wellington in March and cleared 4.75m at the Australian championships.

She has continued to impress during her European stint and will be encouraged by adding 10 centimetres to her season’s best at the CAS International Meeting in Luxembourg.

The 26-year-old required two clearances at her opening height at 4.43m before advancing beyond 4.63m at the second time of asking.

She needed all three vaults to equal her season’s best mark of 4.75m before successfully soaring clear with her second attempt at 4.85m to set a meet record.

Huiquin Xu of China was second (4.33m) and New Zealand and 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Imogen Ayris was third (4.23m). — RNZ