The United States rode a wave of emotion and fervent home support to capture their first ever gold medal in the women's team event at the world championships on Wednesday.

The Americans's hopes appeared to be in disarray this week when celebrated trio Courtney Kupets, Ashley Postell and Annia Hatch -- all three world championship medallists -- withdrew through injury and illness.

But a makeshift quintet, inspired by late stand-in Chellsie Memmel and with an average age of 16, did their absent friends proud in Anaheim by posting a total score of 112.573 points.

Romania -- seven-times world team winners and champions for the last five competitions dating back to 1994 -- had to be content with silver from their haul of 110.833.

Australia claimed the bronze, their first ever team medal at a world championships, in dramatic fashion, pushing China into fourth place by 0.076 of a point after the Chinese endured a nightmare last two rotations.

They had 0.2 points deducted from their total -- a move which ultimately cost them bronze -- after Fan Ye was penalized for warming up on the podium prior to her balance beam routine.

Then Kang Xin and Zhang Nan were marked down for poor floor routines in the last rotation, allowing Australia to capitalize.

RUSSIA FLOP

There was more drama provided by perennial favorites Russia.

Led by multiple world and Olympic champion Svetlana Khorkina, they had a miserable night and a total of 108.985 was enough only for sixth place -- the first time Russia had failed to medal since 1995.

"I'm in shock, this was a completely unexpected result," said Natalia Pavlova, Russia's team leader on the night.

Their bid had got off to the worst possible start, as Alexandra Chevtchenkova missed a landing during her floor routine and hurtled off the podium.

She stopped just short of the runway for the vault, and an award of 7.575 was a blow from which Russia, and a below-par Khorkina, could not recover.

Russia were not the only team to commit some basic errors, with the asymmetric bars proving an achilles heel for China and Romania on the second rotation.

By contrast, 15-year-old Americans Memmel and Carly Patterson set the tone for the U.S. with strong vaults on the first rotation.

Then, even though Holly Vise suffered a nasty fall from the asymmetric bars, Memmel and 18-year-old Tasha Schwikert combined to move the home nation into first place.

It was a position they did not look like relinquishing through the third and fourth rotations on beam and floor respectively.

HEROIC MEMMEL

Memmel had not even expected to compete this week, but after Hatch and Kupets suffered ligament injuries and Postell withdrew because of flu, she was thrust into the spotlight.

Chosen in each of the four rotations, she contributed a mammoth 37.887 points to the U.S.'s cause on a memorable night.

"It was just unbelievable, the ultimate experience," U.S. coach Jim Chudy said.

"Chellsie was amazing ... She was cool and confident, and it's the best I've ever seen her compete."

China had clung on to silver medal position going into the final rotation in the floor, but Kang and, more surprisingly, Zhang scored just 8.825 and 8.587 respectively to rubber-stamp their demise.

"This is a young and inexperienced team," China coach Sanzhen Lu said. "They still have a good future."

Australia were indebted to Allana Slater (news - web sites)'s personal haul of 37.312 points across the four rotations, with Monette Russo providing commendable support.

"It was about time we showed the world what we are capable of," Slater said.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Commentary: Don't meddle with yuan ( 2003-09-02) +200,000 troops to be cut by 2005 ( 2003-09-02) +Beijing Games marketing plan launched ( 2003-09-02) +Flood forces 10,0000 to evacuate ( 2003-09-02) +Beijing courts announce 50 major changes ( 2003-09-02)		+ China beat South Africa 2-0 in soccer friendly ( 2003-09-02) +Sun Jihai-Seaman mix up sends Arsenal top ( 2003-09-01) +China retains top place at world games ( 2003-09-01) +Real's Makelele completes Chelsea move ( 2003-09-01) +48-year-old Olympic champion is making a comeback ( 2003-09-01)