The Auckland pole-vaulter Eliza McCartney has recorded her best ever height.
Eliza McCartney. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Devonport 21 year old, just two weeks after finishing fourth at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham with a clearance of 4.75m, went much higher in front of a big, enthusiastic crowd at the popular vertical Pursuit street event in Auckland, getting over 4.90m.
The height is better than her New Zealand and Oceania record of 4.83m, but is unlikely to be ratified as a new record because of the gently sloping temporary runway.
Rio 2016 bronze medallist McCartney knew this would be the case, but was still excited to be vaulting at these heights, giving her confidence a huge boost ahead of a big year.
Finishing second in the competition was American Morgann LeLeux with 4.35m while Kiwi Imogen Ayris produced her highest ever vault, clearing 4.20m.
The previous best height by McCartney was 4.82 metres set in Auckland a year ago.
Even if the height isn't confirmed, the performance by McCartney will put the rest of the Commonwealth on notice that she's the person to beat at the Games on the Gold Coast next month.
This year, the height of 4.9 metres is world leading and it would mean McCartney would be just the sixth person ever to have vaulted that high.
