Jenny McAsey The Australian AS Fabrice Lapierre lines up on the runway and stares ahead to the long jump pit, he clenches his thick gold neck chain between his teeth and doesn't let it go until he is dusting sand off himself.

It is an unusual routine as Lapierre admits, but one that is working for the US-based jumper whose performance at the Australian championships in Brisbane at the weekend was a highlight of the three-day competition. Lapierre, 25, launched himself on to the world championships team with a leap of 8.29m. It was a personal best and made him the third-best jumper in Australian history behind only 2000 Olympic silver medallist Jai Taurima (8.49m) and Peter Burge (8.30m). A leap of 8.29m would see him in the mix for a medal at any major championships. View complete article at www.theaustralian.news.com.au