Novlene Williams

THE United States has been the most dominant female team at the senior level in the 4x400 metres and, following their success at the last World Championship, they will be hoping to continue this trend in Berlin.

After posting a national record of 3:19.73 in Osaka, the Jamaican team will be hoping to go much faster next month and, in the process, move up one place from their 2007 second-place finish.

In Beijing last year, the Jamaica team clocked 3:20.40 to finish third as the United States, which won in 3:18.54, had to work overtime for their victory as Russia (3:18.82) pushed them all the way and it took a brilliant anchor leg from Sanya Richards to pull off the win.

Despite their brilliant record, the United States are not unbeatable in this event and Jamaica definitely have a glorious chance to stop their winning streak, as Shericka Williams and Novlene Williams-Mills are looking in impeccable form this year. Williams, the surprise silver medallist in Beijing, is ranked number four in 2009 with 49.98 seconds. National champion Williams-Mills is at number five with 50.04. Jamaican-born Richards is at the top with 49.23.

Struggling americans

The American female 400 metres runners, except Richards, are struggling and this will be a great opportunity for Jamaica to turn the tables.

While both Jamaica and the United States look evenly matched, the Russians look to be the team to beat based on individual times so far.

Two of their athletes, Antonina Krivoshapka (49.29) at number two and Anastasiya Kapachinskaya (49.97) at number three have gone under 50 seconds with three other athletes under 51 seconds.

Although both Williams and Williams-Mills are looking great, the likes of Shereefa Lloyd (51.18), Christene Day (51.54) and Rosemarie Whyte (51.55) will have to step up big time as they will have to be real sharp if they are to finish ahead of the Ameri-cans and the Russians.

The Jamaicans will have to be competitive early in the race as, last year in Beijing, both the United States and Russia opened a wide gap on the Jamaicans and this put them out of contention for gold and silver. Allyson Felix usually runs an excellent second leg for the United States which normally gives their third leg some cushion for Richards to get the stick in the lead or on level terms.

Competitive

When they produced the national record in Osaka, the Jamaicans were very competitive throughout as Williams-Mills closed the gap rapidly on Richards, and a repeat of that performance could see Jamaica pulling off a surprise win.

It is going to be very difficult, however, as with the Russians showing great form with three weeks to go they could be the team to give Jamaica much more to think about.