Feofanova ends Dragila's vault reign

Russia's Svetlana Feofanova ended Stacy Dragila's supremacy in the women's pole vault at major events by winning gold at the world championships in Paris.

The 23-year-old Feofanova equalled the championship record of 4.75 metres at her first attempt to win an eventful final that Dragila left after failing to clear 4.60 metres.

German Annika Becker took the silver medal with 4.70 metres, while world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia won the bronze with 4.65 metres.

Twice champion Dragila, who has struggled this season after reigning supreme over the relatively young discipline for years, ended up joint fourth with 4.55 metres.

"I knew I wasn't at the level I wanted to be but I wanted to give it a try," said Dragila, whose ground-breaking performances have helped women's pole vault win respect.

"There have been so many changes in my life with a new coach and a new technique. I did not trust everything."

The 32-year-old American had never lost at a major outdoor event, taking the first two world titles and the inaugural Olympic title three years ago in Sydney.

She set the championship record when winning gold two years ago in Edmonton before injury worries marred her 2002 season.

Isinbayeva had emerged as the woman most likely to succeed Dragila by clearing a world record 4.82 metres last month in Gateshead, England, adding one centimetre to the American's previous best mark.

But the 21-year-old passed after missing two attempts at 4.75 metres and then failed to clear 4.80.

"I felt a lot of pressure on my shoulders," she said. "I felt good during qualifying but I lost strength at the most critical moment. The result is not special but I tried my best."

Feofanova cleared all her heights comfortably, but after vaulting 4.75 did not have the strength to attempt a world record.

"I wasn't sure I would win at all because I had fever yesterday," she said. "I was too weak to go for the world record."

The Russian set five world records while winning all her nine competitions indoors in 2002 and kept shining this year, taking the world indoor title in March in Birmingham, England, with a world record 4.80 metres.

A silver medallist behind Dragila in Edmonton, Feofanova's performance on Monday confirmed she is a major threat outdoors as well.

A former gymnast who stands only 1.63 metres but compensates with a great technique, Feofanova says she has vaulted 4.82 metres several times in training.

Dragila promised she would be back but the time might have come for her to pass over to the younger generation.

"I would like to come back to show I'm not out of it," she said. "It's great to see the new generation of vaulters make their breakthrough. I feel like a pioneer.