Imogen Ayris Clears Lifetime Best Of 4.76m In France

Pole Vaulter Imogen Ayris has continued her lifetime best form, soaring over a new personal best at the All Star Perche meeting in Clermont-Ferrand, France on Sunday 22 February.

Ayris cleared 4.76m to improve on her recently set 4.70m PB. Ayris first cleared the mark at Perch X’Trem in Caen, France. 4.70m is the entry standard for the 2026 World Indoor Championships, and exceeds the Athletics New Zealand A performance Standard for the Commonwealth Games of 4.55m.

Ayris cleared 4.76m on her final attempt at the height. The overjoyed kiwi took one attempt at the next height in the progression 4.82m before retiring from the competition.

Ayris’s last six results show a remarkable slew of performances.
4.76 2 All Star Perch. Clermont-Ferrand 22 Feb 2026

4.70 2 Meeting Hauts-de-France Liévin FRA 19 Feb 2026

4.70 1 Perche on Or Roubaix FRA 07 Feb 2026

4.60 1 Salle de L'eure Val-de-Reuil FRA 01 Feb 2026

4.70 PB 2 Perch'Xtrem Caen FRA 30 Jan 2026

Oliva McTaggart has also delivered a season’s best performance of 4.70m to finish in 5th at the competition. McTaggart was the highest placed kiwi at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, where she finished in 8th. Her 4.70m performance also met the entry standard for the World Athletics Indoor Championships.

Back in Auckland, Eliza McCartney was also over the 4.70m mark for the first time this season, clearing the mark at the Auckland Championships on the 20th of February at Mt Smart Stadium.

The trio have now all met the entry standard for the 2026 World Indoor Championships in Poland from the 20-22 March. Nations are only able to enter two athletes per event for the World Indoor Championships.

Learn more about the world indoor championships here: https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-indoor-championships/kujawypomorze26

View results from All Star Perche here: https://athle-liveresults.fr/events/

About Athletics NZ:

Athletics NZ is the national governing body of Athletics in New Zealand. Athletics NZ exists to deliver great athletics experiences. We work with our partners, sponsors and stakeholders across New Zealand to support our growing network of clubs, communities and their members.

We provide an affiliation and support structure that aims to ensure there are safe, fun and accessible opportunities for all to participate, from pre-schoolers through to adults.

As a World Athletics member, Athletics New Zealand is tasked with enhancing and promoting all aspects of athletics activity in New Zealand. From grass roots community participation to international high-performance competition, disciplines include track and field athletics, cross country running, mountain running, road running, road walking as well as associated programmes and development initiatives.

© Scoop Media