Isinbayeva breaks own world indoor pole vault record

Associated Press

Updated: February 16, 2008, 2:36 PM ET

DONETSK, Ukraine -- Yelena Isinbayeva broke her own indoor world record in the women's pole vault Saturday, clearing 16 feet, 2 ¾ inches. It was the Russian's 21st world record.

The Olympic and world champion improved on her previous record of 16-2 that was set last year at the same event, which is organized annually by pole vault great Sergei Bubka. Isinbayeva also holds the outdoor record of 16-5 ¼, set at the 2005 worlds.

She twice failed to clear 16-2½ and raised the bar to 16-2 ¾ for her last attempt.

After her most successful season in 2005, when she set four indoor and five outdoor world records, Isinbayeva switched to a new coach and struggled through the last two seasons.

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