World indoor pole vault champion Marie-Julie Bonnin opened her season with a victory in Bordeaux

World indoor pole vault champion Marie-Julie Bonnin opened her season with a victory at the Starperche in her hometown of Bordeaux on Saturday. A successful second attempt of 4.58m proved enough to edge out Imogen Ayris of New Zealand.

It was a solid start to the indoor season for Marie-Julie Bonnin, who is preparing to defend her title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, from March 20-22.

Imogen Ayris finished second with the same result of 4.58m ahead of Brazilian athlete Juliana de Menis Campos with 4.48m.

In the men’s competition, the best was 5.60m, achieved by five athletes. However, American Keaton Daniel won the event thanks to fewer attempts, while European U20 and U23 champion Simone Bertelli of Italy and Frenchman Valentin Lavillenie shared second place.