NASSAU, Bahamas: A flash of annoyance crossed his face. After all, second place is a bit of an anomaly for sprint icon Usain Bolt and second place is where he and his 4x100m teammates finished at the IAAF World Relays on Saturday.

The USA claimed their first 4x100m win over Jamaica at a senior global event since the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka, stopping the clock in an impressive early season 37.38 seconds, with Bolt, shaking his head, taking Jamaica across the line in a season's best 37.68. Japan were third in 38.20.

For Bolt, who refused to make much of the loss, it was hardly a surprise. However, to the Americans, it clearly meant a whole lot more.

Ryan Bailey celebrated controversially with an amended Usain Bolt 'To di Worl' pose, with a finger dragged across the neck in 'cut throat' fashion, as well as the fist bumps and chest beating that followed among the US quartet, showed how big a deal it was.

"I've been wanting to do it for a while so it felt good," said Bailey.

"It's only the beginning, we are establishing our dominance as we were in the past."

Bolt crediting the US for their preparation, but noted that the real deal will take at the IAAF World Championships, where he assured that the three-time defending world champions, two-time Olympic champions and world record holders, will put end to any US resurgence.

"I think the USA came out here well prepared. Their athletes are in better shape; you can tell by them equaling their national record.

I'm not in the best shape yet, I know that Bailey-Cole isn't either, but there are a few months to go before the World Championships," said Bolt.

- A.L.