体坛英语新闻：Olympic champ Stefanidi wins Ultimate Garden Clash - pole vault second edition

PARIS, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi of Greece won the second pole vault edition of the "Ultimate Garden Clash" on Saturday, according to World Athletics.

It was the second round of the "Ultimate Garden Clash", which is a response to the cancellation of meets caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Competing at her local track in Athens, Stefanidi amassed 34 successful vaults over a 4.00m bar, beating the tallies set by her rivals Katie Nageotte of the United States and Alysha Newman of Canada.

Nageotte, who was taking part from her base in Marietta, Georgia, and Newman, who was competing from Bolton, Ontario, achieved 30 and 21 clearances respectively.

"I had so much fun," said Stefanidi. "I was very excited after the first half because I had 19. I thought I could take two fewer jumps in the second half and still match the guys' winning score, but then I missed two jumps. It was also so hot that my hands were sweating which made it difficult to get a good grip.

"This format that Renaud (Lavillenie) thought of is such a great idea in so many ways," added Stefanidi. "It's a great way to just switch off and vault. There are so many mental challenges with pole vaulting, but sometimes you have to just shut your brain off and (clear) the bar, and this is a great way of practising that. It also combines many different physical elements that are really useful for a pole vaulter."