Aussie women gymnasts third

The Australian women's artistic gymnastics team has finished third at a team event in Washington.

The Australian women's artistic gymnastics team has had a successful start to the Pacific Rim Championships, taking out a bronze medal in the team event.

The strong result saw them finish behind the dominant US and within touching distance of second placed Canada.

It ensured four of the team members qualified into apparatus finals to be held on Sunday (Monday AEST).

The men's artistic gymnastics team finished fifth.

This meet marks the final preparation before heading to Rio for the test event.

There the women's team need to finish in the top four from the eight countries competing in order to gain a place at the August Olympic Games.