Gateshead, UK - It’s usual for even the finest athletes to progress one step at a time. But in Fabiana Murer’s case, she is reaching new heights in the Pole Vault by taking two steps – two extra steps, that is.

Since extending her run-up from 16 to 18 steps at the start of the season, the 29-year-old Brazilian – who will have her first competition in Gateshead tomorrow (10) in the Aviva British Grand Prix - Samsung Diamond League meeting – has achieved a personal best of 4.85 metres.

Maybe one day I can compete with Isinbayeva as an equal

That has put her second in the year’s world season's list. More importantly it has moved her closer to the target she spoke of after winning her first global title in March at the IAAF World Indoor Championships, namely becoming a five-metres plus jumper in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Those championships in Doha were the last competitive sighting of the woman who has dominated the event for the last six years, Yelena Isinbayeva, and her failure to earn a medal- after three failures at 4.75m, 31cm below her world record - there was swiftly followed by an announcement that she would be leaving the sport for an indefinite period.

For Murer, Isinbayeva’s friend and sometime training partner, the turn of events was bittersweet.

“I expected her to jump maybe a World record in Doha, or maybe 4.80 or 4.90,” Murer said. “I was surprised she didn’t jump 4.75. Of course I was sad that occurred. It’s not nice to see someone sad, my friend sad.”

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