Isinbayeva the first woman to vault five meters

LONDON – Yelena Isinbayeva is fast becoming the Sergei Bubka of women’s pole vaulting.

With Bubka watching from the stands, the 23-year-old Russian cleared the magical 5-meter mark Friday at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix for her latest world record.

The Olympic champion easily cleared 16 feet, 4 3/4 inches on her first attempt, barely nudging the bar. She had set the previous mark of 16-3 1/4 just 10 minutes earlier.

“It was my dream to be the first woman over 5 meters,” said Isinbayeva, who fell back on the mat in celebration before embracing her coach and Bubka. “I can’t explain my feelings. I love the run-up and the stadium here. The weather was good and the crowd was great. I don’t know how much higher I can go, maybe 5.05 or higher.”

It was the 17th world record – indoors and out – of her career. Bubka set 35 world records in his career.

“I would like to have 36 world records,” Isinbayeva said. “It’s my new goal.”

Bubka, for one, thinks she can do it.

“I think she is unique,” the Ukrainian said. “She jumps records like I did. To jump 5 meters is something special.

“I think she can jump higher. I want her to beat my (35 mark) record.”

Bubka won the pole vault gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and was a six-time world champion. Isinbayeva has yet to win a world championship, finishing third in 2003.

She’ll be the overwhelming favorite to win her first in Helsinki, Finland, in two weeks.