A first-time clearance at her opening height of 4.41m was enough for Caudery to clinch the women’s pole vault title – and confirm she will make her Olympic debut in Paris, where she will be one of the favourites for the gold medal.
One week after setting a British record of 4.92m in France – a mark unmatched in the world this year – the world indoor champion once again starred in front of a home crowd, just as she did to win her first major title in Glasgow in February.
The in-form 24-year-old, who was disappointed to settle for European bronze in Rome, cleared 4.83m as she built towards another British record attempt and went close to achieving that with each of her three attempts at 4.93m.
Caudery said: “I have had to force myself to review my expectations. Coming into the season it was definitely about reaching Paris, now it is to medal.
“Of course the gold is the dream and after I won at the indoors I know what it is like to win, but I have also experienced disappointment.”
Katarina Johnson-Thompson, with less pressure to impress at the trials after winning her second world heptathlon gold in Budapest last summer, placed ninth in the women’s javelin with 42.83m.
The 31-year-old, who was forced to withdraw from the European Championships this month with a minor problem in her right leg, is only required to compete in one event at the trials – but is also entered in the 200m and high jump on Sunday as she fine-tunes her Olympic preparations.
Cindy Sember will compete in Paris after taking a dominant victory in the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.85secs, while Elizabeth Bird also qualified by winning the women’s 3,000m steeplechase in a championship record 9:29.67.
But Jacob Fincham-Dukes will be among the athletes waiting on the decision of the team selectors after retaining his men’s long jump title with a best leap of 7.95m, as will Anna Purchase after winning the women’s hammer title with a best of 68.79m.
