Kiwi pole vault star Eliza McCartney has ramped up preparations for the world athletics championships with a four-year best clearance to win in Luxembourg.
McCartney, 26, soared to a 4.85m clearance - the joint-third-best of her career- to win the meet by over half a metre at Schifflange.
China's Huiquin Xu of China placed second (4.33m) with fellow Kiwi and 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Imogen Ayris third (4.23m.)
The result also sees McCartney move to No.2 in the world lists for 2023, sitting only behind world and Olympic champion Katie Moon.
After several years of injury struggles, she appears to be on her way to career-best form, with 4.85m her highest clearance since the 2019 Potts Classic in Hastings.
"I struggled a little bit in the 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," McCartney said.
"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 World Championships. I'm excited to line up at one of my favourite comps."
