MOSCOW (AP) — Russian pole vaulting great Yelena Isinbayeva was victorious on her return to action at the Russian Winter indoor meet Sunday after an 11-month hiatus from competition.
Isinbayeva, who announced her departure from the sport after finishing fourth at the Doha World Indoor Championships in March, cleared 4.81 meters to beat compatriots Svetlana Feofanova, the European champion, and Alexandra Kiryashova, who both jumped 4.56.
Feofanova claimed silver because of fewer failures at lesser heights. Polish World Champion Anna Rogowska managed 4.46 to finish fifth.
Isinbayeva attempted 4.91 — 15 centimeters short of the world record she set in Zurich in 2009 — but didn’t get close on any of her three attempts.
