ANAHEIM (California), Aug 21: The United States won their first ever gold medal in the women’s team event at the world championships on Wednesday, with seven-times champions Romania collecting silver and Australia a surprise bronze.

The Americans benefited from a series of errors from their main rivals, notably from the Svetlana Khorkina-led Russia team.

But shorn of trio Courtney Kupets, Annia Hatch and Ashley Postell, absent through injury and illness, the U.S team score of 112.573 represented a sterling effort.

Romania, winners of the team event for the last five championships dating back to 1991, finished with 110.833 points.

Australia, with 110.335, claimed a dramatic bronze when China suffered a nightmare last rotation on the floor exercise.

Russia finished a disappointing sixth place with 108.985 points.

Women’s team final result:

1. United States (Terin Humphrey, Chellsie Memmel, Carly Patterson, Tasha Schwikert, Hollie Vise) 112.573 points 2. Romania (Oana Mihaela Ban, Alexandra Georgina Eremia, Florica Leonida, Aura Andreea Munteanu, Catalina Ponor, Monica Rosu) 110.833 3. Australia (Belinda Archer, Jacqui Dunn, Monette Russo, Allana Slater) 110.335 4. China 110.259 5. Spain 109.722 6. Russia 108.985 7. Ukraine 108.235 8. Brazil 107.297—Reuters