PoleVaultPower.com

OK I think it starts at 9:15am pacific/12:15 eastern.

Much more readable copy here: http://berlin.iaaf.org/documents/pdf/36 ... --.SL2.pdf

22 August 2009 18:15
BIB NAME NAT YEAR
START PERSONAL BEST 2009 BEST
184Kevin RANS BEL 82
1 5.70 5.66
1150 Maksym MAZURYK UKR 83
2 5.82 5.80
138Steven HOOKER AUS 82
3 6.00 5.95
470Renaud LAVILLENIE FRA 86
4 6.01 6.01
639Giuseppe GIBILISCO ITA 79
5 5.90 5.70
474Romain MESNIL FRA 77
6 5.95 5.82
558Malte MOHR GER 86
7 5.80 5.80
1207 Derek MILES USA 72
8 5.82 5.75
992Aleksandr GRIPICH RUS 86
9 5.70 5.70
1078 Alhaji JENG SWE 81
10 5.80 5.65
571Alexander STRAUB GER 83
11 5.81 5.81
989Viktor CHISTIAKOV RUS 75
12 5.90 5.70
512Steven LEWIS GBR 86
13 5.72 5.72
449Damiel DOSSÉVI FRA 83
14 5.75 5.70
703Daichi SAWANO JPN 80
15 5.83 5.70

Height progression:
5.50 5.65 5.75 5.80 5.85 5.90 5.95 6.00 6.05

For the women they actually started one height lower than the published progression.

Live updates (makes and misses) will be here: http://berlin.iaaf.org/live/live.html

For those in the US, live video feed here: http://www.universalsports.com/

Anyone have any last minute predictions?

I think that Lavillenie is the clear favorite.

If Hooker can get over a bar he'll probably medal, since he's made it clear his strategy will be to not open until a medal-worthy height. He proved in prelims that he is capable of making a decent bar with no warmups. But did he hurt himself worse? That will be the big mystery...

Other contenders I think are Mesnil, Miles, and maybe Straub or Mohr could sneak in there, home field advantage and all.

If Hooker can't make it over a bar, the fight for silver and bronze could get real interesting (but probably not real high).

Lavillenie
Mesnil
Mohr

...assuming Hooker can't go...even if he does, by the way his prelim jump looked, he can't attempt more than 2 jumps and there's a world of difference in opening at 5.65 and opening at 5.80+ to conserve attempts.

oops accidentally posted this in Qual thread instead of this one...

good news (I think) for the Aussies

Hooker’s torn right adductor, which he originally injured at training 11 days ago, is on the mend, however it’s an associated neural problem in his upper right quad which is now causing the 27-year-old grief.

Although the neural problem is painful, it will not increase the risk of further damage and Hooker will receive a local anaesthetic to relieve the pain prior to tonight’s final.

The Hooker camp will follow a similar strategy to that of Thursday’s qualifying round. Not wanting to risk further injury, Hooker will not partake in any warm jumps and will only enter the competition when the bar is raised to a height that will win a medal.

renaud 6.05

Lavillenie
miles
hooker

I dunno, Lavillenie is pretty young... if Hooker can't push him, I can see him getting a little too excited about the victory to have a 6 meter+ jump.

Lavillenie 6.00
Hooker 5.95
Miles 5.85

I know that these are optimistic heights ... but these 3 are easily capable of them ... provided conditions and health pervail.

Kirk

Less than two hours to go!

http://www.argusleader.com/article/2009 ... 078/sports

Q&A: Miles confident heading into pole vault finals today
FROM STAFF REPORTS • AUGUST 22, 2009

Derek Miles, a Tea resident and University of South Dakota assistant coach, hopes to take a giant leap in today's pole vault finals at the world track championships in Berlin.

The 36-year-old California native, who took fourth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, qualified for the finals Thursday with an effort of just over 18 feet (his personal best is 19-2.5).

We caught up with Miles on Friday as he prepared for his big moment...



Q. How do you size up your chances heading into the finals?

A. If I put forth the type of effort that I'm capable of, I believe I have a legitimate shot of placing in the top three. I just have to do everything I can to ensure that all goes according to plan, but that's what makes the vault so exciting - its unpredictability.

Q. How is the vibe at the world championships different than the Olympics?

A. Many things are similar, but the Olympics will always be viewed as the pinnacle of our sport. For that reason, they will always be more stressful.

Q. What was your best previous experience at the world championship?

A. I've never really had my best meet, or even what I would consider to be a great meet during a championship final. Here's to changing all that!

Sometimes things just don't click and your timing is off. I feel more confident in my vault this year than I did at the Olympics, so hopefully that will result in a positive conclusion.

Q. Have you gotten a chance to soak up the atmosphere in Berlin?

A. Not really. This meet has been all business so far. I've been taking in the meet for sure and appreciating new world records, but my focus has been on taking that energy and applying it to my jumping.

Q. Is Germany pretty passionate about track and field?

A. I have found Germany to be particularly a warm track culture. The fans are truly supporters of the German athletes, and the volume in the stadium reflects that. But they respond very well to great performances and do an amazing job of cheering on all athletes of different nationalities. They have been an amazing audience to perform in front of.

Q. Are you already looking ahead to a possible medal at the 2012 London Olympics?

A. I am focusing on one year at a time. London hasn't even been a thought in my head. 'Never say never,' I guess, but my future participation in the sport will be based on my health and if I can stay competitive with the rest of the world. If both of those things remain the case in 2012, then we'll see.

Q. Would that be your swan song?

A. That might be more of a miracle song!

The video feed on Universal Sports has begun, they are showing a medal ceremony right now.