Girls' high jump final report - Donetsk 2013

WRITTEN FOR THE IAAF WEBSITE

Australia’s Eleanor Patterson not only took the High Jump crown with 6cm to spare over her nearest challenger but the 17-year-old additionally registered a lifetime best in the process.

Having qualified for the final with an energy-conserving 1.74m, Patterson cleared 1.88m on her second attempt to push Italy’s Erika Furlani into the runner-up position, aided by her 1.82m personal best.

Patterson, whose previous best of 1.87m was established back in December, opened her campaign at the 1.79m mark – clearing that height, 1.82m and 1.85m each on her first attempt.

Her first foul arrived at the 1.88m point which she then continued to clear on her second effort, before attempting to improve the 1.90m World youth lead which was registered by Britain’s Morgan Lake earlier in the day during the first day of the heptathlon. 

Failing to clear 1.91m on three occasions, Patterson failed in her quest but will be content with her dominant performance in Donetsk, Ukraine nevertheless and in turn claimed Australia’s first medal in this event since Petrina Price took silver in Debrecen twelve years ago. 

Furlani meanwhile, continued her fine form after setting a 1.77m lifetime in the qualifying round in clearing 1.82m at the third and final attempt.

The 17-year-old had second-time clearances at 1.75m and 1.79m, and failed on her only available attempt at the 1.85m point to settle for the silver medal.

Her medal is Italy’s first in this event since Alessia Trost took gold in Debrecen four years ago. 

South Africa’s Julia Du Plessis claimed the bronze medal with a best 1.79m clearance, having failed three times at 1.82m to take her nation’s first ever medal in this event in the 14-year history of this championship.

The 17-year-old has a lifetime best of 1.88m set in March, 2012 but the World Junior Championship finalist could not get near to her best.

In fourth and fifth place, respectively, Morocco’s Rhizlane Siba and Brazil’s Ana Paula De Oliveira reached 1.79m.