Undefeated on the pole vault circuit since June, Olympic champion Nina Kennedy couldn't help but feel a little disappointed with her latest victory at a train station in Zurich.
Kennedy has won every event she has taken part in since the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, a streak that includes clearing 4.90m at the Paris Olympics to deliver a milestone medal.
It was Australia's first-ever Olympic gold in the women's pole vault, while it was also the nation's record-breaking 18th gold at the Paris Games.
There is no sign of the West Australian's career-best form ending soon.
Kennedy, competing on the specular stage of Zurich Central Station's ticket hall, cleared 4.87m on her first attempt to secure a fourth straight win in the Diamond League.
Canadian Alysha Newman and USA's Katie Moon (both 4.82m) rounded out the podium, as they did at the Olympics.
"I don’t know if I’m unbeatable. 2024 has been the best season in my career with seven wins," Kennedy said, having raised the bar to 4.95m in Switzerland.
"I can never be disappointed in a competition with a win. Yet, I am a bit disappointed.
"I wanted to improve my personal best (4.91m), the mark I achieved here last year.
"I wanted to come here and jump 4.95m. Unfortunately I didn’t but I still love Zurich. I am so exhausted because after Paris I flew to Australia to celebrate and see my family and then I came back to Europe."
The 27-year-old has eyes on her 4.91m Australian record as next week’s Diamond League final approaches.
"In 2023 I jumped high, but in 2024 I jumped more consistently," Kennedy said.
"I am maturing as an athlete, I am just finding my rhythm in this sport and I am much younger than the other athletes."
Meanwhile, Nicola Olyslagers finished second in the women's high jump with a leap of 1.93m in stormy conditions at Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium.
As was the case at the Paris Olympics, Ukrainian world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh (1.96m) proved too strong.
"When it rains, the hardest thing a high jumper has to do is change their technique to adapt," Olyslagers said.
"Overall, I was very happy with how I did.
"I was trying to write down in my book, I even have a good pen, but with the rain – the ink was going through the page. It made me realise I can’t read my book today because it will get destroyed."
