Kaeslin posts national best gymnastics result

Ariella Kaeslin of Switzerland vaulted to a career best fifth place in Beijing Keystone

Ariella Kaeslin has finished fifth in the final of the women's vault at the Beijing Olympics, tying a 24-year national record for a Swiss gymnast.

The outcome was a personal best for the 20-year-old from the city of Lucerne, who had qualified for the final in eighth position.

“This is a brilliant result,” Kaeslin said. “Had this been guaranteed before the Olympic Games, I would have signed up immediately.”

Her combined score of 15,050 left her one-half point out of the bronze medal position. Kaeslin scored 15,400 on her first vault and 14,700 on her second.

She ended up behind gold medal winner Hong Un Jong of North Korea, 33-year-old Oksana Tschussowitina of Germany who captured silver and Cheng Fei of China who came third. Alicia Sacramone of the United States finished fourth.

“Now may I also dream of a medal,” Kaeslin said.

“This goes for London in 2012,” she added. “I have invested so much in gymnastics that I will continue at least until then, even if at my age it is more difficult to learn new moves.”

In 1984, Swiss gymnast Romi Kessler was placed fifth on the floor and uneven bars events in Los Angeles.