Ariella Kaeslin has come a surprise third at the 2009 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Milan in the overall competition.

The 21-year-old from Lucerne, who was named sportswoman of the year for her fifth place at the Beijing Olympics, won the first-ever medal for Switzerland at a major international event. Until now ninth position was the best female gymnasts could do.

Despite falling in qualifying, Kaeslin held her nerve, notably in the vault – her favourite discipline – to record the highest score for a European. The individual event takes place on Sunday.

Kaeslin was beaten by two Russians: Xenia Semenova and Xenia Afanaseva.

swissinfo with agencies

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