The US quartet, without Marion Jones who had earlier suffered her first defeat in a year, clocked an even 42 seconds for a maximum eight points and top places for the United States with 96 points.

Europe were second with 94 and Africa third on 88, their highest position ever, in the quadrennial Inter-Continental team contest, now renamed the Nelson Mandela Trophy in honour of the South African president.

``My plan was to get a good exchange and to blast out the straight away and that's what I did,'' said Guidry.

Cheryl Taplin, lead-off runner for the US, said: ``It feels great to be here in Africa and win the first Nelson Mandela Trophy and to do it on a day like today, rainy and cold.

Africa won the men's competition for the third consecutive time with 110 points, just one ahead of Europe. Germany, who enjoyed an excellent competition,were third on 102.

``I've been to three World Cups,'' said 400m hurdles champ Samuel Matete. ``This was special because this was coming home. It's a great honour to win a trophy bearing the name of Nelson Mandela.''

For the third day in a row, conditions were damp, dark and dismal here, with heavy rain and the start adding to the misery of athletes and spectators alike.

Jones, who recorded personal bests in the 200 and 100 on the first two days to move closer to Florence Griffith-Joyner in the all-time list, failed to come to terms with the conditions and her best mark of 7.00m was not enough to defeat Germany's European Champion Heike Drechsler.

Drechsler jumped 7.07 with her first attempt and said she had felt especially motivated jumping against the young American who had been unbeaten in eight indoor and outdoor events.

Frank Fredericks, still negotiating with the Namibian authorities about his participation in this week's Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, maintained the African momentum witha determined win in the men's 200m.

The former World champion clocked 19.97 in the thin Johannesburg air ahead of American Gentry Bradley.

``The fans have been great,'' he said. ``When the fans come out you have to perform. I am very pleased, especially with the time today.''

Nigerian Olympic bronze medallist Falilat Ogunkoya, winner of the 400m in 49.2, showed similar commitment. ``I wanted to win badly because this is home for me,'' she said.

Dieter Baumann, 1992 Olympic 5,000 gold medallist, revealed startling acceleration in the straight to win the 10,000m for Germany in the continent whose runners have dominated distance running in the past 10 years.

There was a rather more dubious German victory in the 110m hurdles where Falk Balzer appeared to get away before the gun.

Balzer won in 1.10-0.01 of a second ahead of Britain's World record holder Colin Jackson.