Bubka Vaults 19-11 3/4 to Set Outdoor Mark

Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union broke his world record in the pole vault by half an inch and continued to get closer to the outdoor 20-foot mark by clearing 19-11 3/4 Monday in Formia, Italy.

Bubka cleared the height on his first try, received a thunderous ovation from the crowd and passed on his other attempts. American Bill Paine was second at 18-6 1/2.

Each time Bubka increases the world record, he earns between $30,000 and $40,000 from meet organizers and about $90,000 from his Italian sponsor.

Dannette Young scored the only U.S. victory in the meet, winning the women’s 200 meters in 23.03 seconds. She edged Lilian Allen of Cuba and another American, Lillie Leatherwood.