TOKYO -- Canada is one step away from qualifying a full team in women’s gymnastics at the 2012 Olympics after finishing 11th on Saturday at the 2011 world championships.

The United States topped the field in the qualification round held over two days with Russia and China in second and third respectively in a field of 24 countries in the running for a team berth at the Games.

The top eight teams clinched a spot next summer in London while the next eight, ranked 9-16 at this year’s worlds, advanced to the final qualification meet in January to determine the final four spots in the 12-country Olympic lineup.

“It’s a new ball game,” said Canadian program director Lise Simard of Gatineau, Que.

“Finishing 11th here gives the team a big boost of confidence. We’re going to be celebrating New Years Day this year at a training camp.”

Canada just missed qualifying a full women’s team for the 2008 Olympics and has mounted a strong effort to reclaim a spot at the Games despite major budget cuts to the program two years ago.

The Canadian team, led by Toronto’s Peng Peng Lee, (Oakville Gymnastics) was in third spot after the first day of the qualification round on Friday before most of the top ranked-countries got into action on Saturday.

Lee also qualified 20th for the individual event final in a field 216 competitors. Kristina Vaculik of Whitby, Ont., (Gemini) and Dominique Pegg of Sarnia, Ont., (Bluewater) the other two Canadians who competed in all four events, were 45th and 62nd respectively all around.

Other members of the Canadian team in Tokyo are Mikaela Gerber (Oakville Gymnastics) and Madeline Gardiner, (Dynamo) both of Cambridge, Ont., Coralie Leblond-Chartrand of Montreal (Gymnix) and Ottawa-born Talia Chiarelli (Bluewater).

“The experience of competing here is definitely going to help us,” said Gardiner. “I’m really excited and just want Canada to go out there and rock it.”

Gerber said team spirit is high looking ahead to the final hurdle on the  road to the Games.

“All the hard work is beginning to pay off,” said Gerber. “It’s never been easy but if you keep your eye set on the goal which is the Olympics, world championships and all the other big meets, it doesn’t seem that hard any more.”

Most members of the women’s team return home for a brief stay next week before heading off to Guadalajara, Mexico for the 2011 Pan Am Games beginning in mid October.