Americas leads IAAF Continental Cup after first day
From left, Bahamas' Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Cayman Island's Cydonie Mothersille, Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste and USA's Shalonda Solomon combined for 43.07 to win the women's 4x100m final for the Americas - photo by Javier ClaveloEight victories, including the relays and other fine performances, have placed Team Americas on top of the overall standings after day one of the IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup at Poljud Stadium in Split.
The relay wins proved decisive to take a 9-point lead over Europe as the Americas have accumulated 219 points after 20 of the 40 events to be contested. Africa (148) and Asia-Pacific (134) are trailing far behind.
Cayman Island's Cydonie Mothersille, Bahamas' Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, USA's Shalonda Solomon and Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste combined their speed to take a fourth consecutive title for the continent in the 4x100m relay, after clocking 43.07, well clear of the European team represented by the Ukrainian quartet.
Baptiste, who had won the 100m an hour earlier, became Trinidad and Tobago's first woman to ever take part in the history of IAAF/VTB World/Continental Cup.
In the process, she became her country's first winner in this competition.
Team Americas' captain Ferguson-McKenzie took her third consecutive relay victory while Mothersille also added her second relay win in a row.
"Relay is fun, no stress, no pressure. We haven't got the chance to do the exchanges we wanted to do. It is over thought. We knew what we had to do and we did it", said a happy Ferguson-McKenzie, who took her fourth IAAF/VTB World/Continental Cup win since 2002.
"I wasn't really worried about the relay because I trust the girls. Everyone has experience. I am thankful I have won the 100m and the 4x100m. It is good to end the season on a good note," commented Baptiste.
Another collective effort brought Antigua and Barbuda's Daniel Bailey, USA's Wallace Spearmon, Tyson Gay and Netherland Antilles' Churandy Martina to a comfortable victory in the men's relay victory in 38.25.
"It feels great to win for the Americas. We managed to get the stick around safe and make sure we don't drop the baton. We only had one training session together before today so we just wanted to be safe," said the fastest man this year Gay after his last race of the season.
However, the French quartet – representing Europe– messed up their final exchange and failed to finish.
Jamaica's Nickiesha Wilson blazed the trail for the continent as the 2007 Osaka World Championships finalist and 2010 CAC Games champion posted a season's best of 54.52 in the 400m Hurdles.
In the men's event, 2009 Berlin medalists Javier Culson of Puerto Rico (48.08) and Bershawn Jackson of the USA (48.62) trailed Europe's David Greene, who ran a personal best of 47.88.
USA's two-time World and 2004 Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner led a 1-2 for the Americas and broke the 25-year old competition record with 44.22, his second fastest performance in 2010.
"The race was great. I worked on exactly on what I needed to work on, come back here and run my second fastest run of the season in my last race of the year. It is a great confidence booster for next season, "he said.
Ricardo Chambers of Jamaica followed him home with 44.59.
USA's 2007 double World champion Bernard Lagat benefited from a slow race and launched a successful kick for the 5,000m victory in 13:58.23.
The slow pace "worked out my way. I felt very comfortable and knew I had plenty left and that's what helped me run a 51-second last lap. I knew I was confident coming into this event and just wanted to go with the wind. I won the 1,500m in 2002 and I would like to be the first man to win three different events. The 3,000m will be different tomorrow, but I will run my own race," said Lagat.
Two 2009 World champions clearly dominated their event: Dwight Phillips in the Long Jump (8.34) and Christian Cantwell in the Shot Put (21.87).
IAAF Diamond League winners finished third in their respective events: Cuba's Yargelis Savigne (Triple Jump), Yarelis Barrios (Discus) and Brazil's 2010 World Indoor champion Fabiana Murer in the Pole Vault.
The Americas will try to seal the overall victory on Sunday. World leaders Lolo Jones and David Oliver lead the charge in the sprint hurdles and another close battle is expected in both 4x400m relays.
By Javier Clavelo in Split for trackalerts.com
