Yelesina`s Surprise Performance

Dramatic developments in the Women`s High Jump undoubtedly made it one of the most intense contests of the Russian Indoor National Championships.
Four jumpers with season bests of 2,00 or better -- Anna Chicherova
(2,04), Marina Kuptsova (2,02), Yelena Yelesina (2,01) and Viktoria Seregina
(2,00) vied for the two coveted spots on the World Championships squad. Over
the course of the competition, the foursome was joined by Svetlana Lapina,
who rose to the occasion by setting a new PR.
But first things first.
Viktoria Seregina, who spent more time competing internationally this
winter than anyone in the field, was the first one to drop out of the contest at
1,96. Chicherova and Kuptsova moved steadily, and flawlessly, up to the
2,00 mark, making every clearance on their first attempts, while Yelesina
needed two tries to conquer 1,98. The outcome of the contest was decided
at 2,02. Yelena Yelesina, the reigning Olympic Champion who who kept her
legs fresh by entering but a few competitions following the Yekaterinburg Christmas Cup, was successful on her first attempt and was crowned the new National champion. Chicherova cleared 2,02 on her third attempt and will
join Yelesina on the trip to Birmingham, while Marina Kuptsova failed at
the height and finished in a disappointing third.


All results you can find in section cometitions.