WC Women Q Round - Bleasdale, Janson, Hutson out

[rainbowgirl28]

The women vault at 9:30 Daegu time. What time is that for you? http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/result ... eZones.pdf
US video coverage at UniversalSports.com
Live makes and misses: http://www.iaaf.org/live/wch11/index.html
More video feeds here: http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/discus ... =1&t=44282






I'll post articles leading in to Daegu here... please post your opinion and picks as well!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/7947 ... pole-vault


2011 World Track and Field Championships Preview: Women's Pole Vault
By Red Shannon (Featured Columnist) on August 9, 2011 92 reads 0


An Isinbayeva win is no longer a foregone conclusion.


In 1994, a young, athletic cowgirl grabbed a pole and easily catapulted over a bar positioned ten feet above the ground. Stacy Dragila was shocked to learn she had just set an American record in the women's pole vault.

It was a cornerstone moment in American vaulting. Still, Dragila had a lot of ground (or should we say "air") to make up, as the rest of the world was a bit ahead of the curve. Emma George (AUS), Daniela Bartova (CZR) and Sun Caiyun (CHI) were trailblazing uncharted territory in those early days, less than 20 years ago.

The 13-foot barrier had already been breached but it would not be until the 2000 Sydney Summer Games that women's pole vault would be recognized as an Olympic sport. Dragila took gold, becoming the first Olympic champion in the event.

But that was then, and this is now. Today, the world record stands at 16'7" and a whole new cast of characters will be contending for the podium at the World Championships in Daegu, starting August 27. And, if anything, the drama has only increased as the "chicks with sticks" have transformed a former exhibition-style sideshow into one of the most anticipated and competitive events in track and field.

Let's take a look at the top contenders:

Yelena Isinbayeva, 29, Russia—Any conversation about women's pole vault begins (and usually ends) with Isi. Despite a recent show of vulnerability and a year-long layoff in 2010, Isinbayeva has to be regarded as the favorite, even if based solely on her remarkable legacy: current world record-holder indoors and outdoors, multiple Olympic and World gold medals, and owner of the top 13 vaults ever. She knows the rare air above 16-feet like no other.

Add a determined motivation to re-establish her dominance and a decent comeback season in 2011, and Isinbayeva is the vaulter to beat.

Jenn Suhr, 29, USA—Probably Isinbayeva's most serious threat, Suhr is one of only three vaulters to eclipse the 16-foot barrier (five times)—and she has quietly been developing a legacy of her own: American record-holder both indoors and outdoors and silver medalist in both Beijing, 2008 and 2008 World Indoors.

After solving a mysterious energy-robbing malady related to gluten flour, Suhr appears to be peaking just in time for Worlds and has a legitimate shot at her first major global gold.

Martina Strutz, 29, Germany—One of the most active vaulters this year (23 competitions), Strutz has been having a career year, increasing her personal best on six occasions. She seems to be in her prime at 29, and apparently sees actual competition as a critical element in her training regimen.

Whatever works. For Strutz, it works.

Silke Spiegelburg, 25, Germany—Don't be fooled by Spiegelburg's youth. She has been vaulting seriously since age 13, and consistently progressing every year since. She's in the high 15-foot range and, if the favorites should falter at Worlds, she could easily sneak into a podium spot.

Anna Rogowska, 30, Poland—The defending world champion from 2009 also had a nice win in the Prefontaine Classic this year. Rogowska has long been a consistent top-three finisher.

Fabiana Murer, 30, Brazil—The one-time training partner of Isinbayeva had the year of her life in 2010, including a World Indoor gold medal—in the absence of Isi. She would definitely be higher on this list if not for a sub-par 2011.

Svetlana Feofanova, 31, Russia—Sveta makes this list simply on the merits of her former days of glory. She was the indoor and outdoor world champion in 2003, and the only other vaulter (besides Isinbayeva and Suhr) to clear 16 feet.

Longshots:

Kylie Hutson, 23, USA—2011 US National champion

Angelica Bengtsson, 18, Sweden—Just a kid. No fear. Update: Bengtsson out with an (injury)

Tina Sutej, 22, Slovenia—Bowerman Award finalist (Arkansas) and Slovenia national champion.

(Note: Every woman mentioned in this list has vaulted 15 feet or higher this year).

Given the marks we've seen this year, a new world record in Daegu seems unrealistic. However, conditions permitting, it is absolutely feasible to expect at least three vaulters to battle it out above the 16-foot barrier. This would be a first—and a most entertaining way to set the stage for London, 2012.

Stranger things (like that ten-foot American record) have happened.

[rainbowgirl28]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... on-the-top


Sky’s the limit as Holly Bleasdale sets sights on the top
Phil Casey
August 19, 2011
Share Article | Printable Version

Holly Bleasdale has launched herself into the top 10 in the world
New British record holder Holly Bleasdale has emerged as a genuine medal contender for the World Championships following a fantastic season.

The 20-year-old surprised many when she smashed the British pole vault record, clearing 4.70m in July, but not her coach Julien Raffali, who trains the Trafford AC star at SportsCity.

For most people accustomed to seeing Kate Dennison slowly increase the national record a centimetre, Bleasdale’s achievement came completely out of the blue.

But Raffali was not only unsurprised but is looking at Bleasdale vaulting the magical 5m barrier.

“If you ask me now if I think Holly can one day be the world number one and the best ever, I say why not?” Raffalli said.

“She has only been vaulting seriously with me for two years, whereas it often takes girls many years to get to Holly’s level.

“I don’t want to put pressure on her though, nor do I want to put a limit on what I think she can achieve. I think she’s got the potential to clear 5m.”

That would put the UK champion into the truly rarefied air occupied only by her idol Yelena Isinbayeva but Raffalli has been spot on with his predictions so far.

“I remember him saying it and it was like ‘Oh gosh’ because it was scary,” Bleasdale said.

“But when I first started he said ‘At the end of this year you will jump 3m, and then 4m’.

“I jumped 4.05m and he said I would jump 4.35m and I did. So all his predictions have been right. I believe in him.

“When he says I will jump 5m, he knows what he is talking about.”

Chorley-based Bleasdale is now ranked in the top 10 and will have a battle on her hands at the championships in South Korea, which start on August 27.

As well as world record holder Isinbayeva, the 2010 world junior bronze medalist will face American world No.1 Jennifer Suhr.

“I think it is going to take me another four to five years to get to where I want to be,” Bleasdale said.

“I started doing weights this year and when I look back at my technique, it is okay but there are a lot of things we can improve.

“I think I’m naturally really quick and I’m quite strong. That means that I can take bigger poles which has made me jump higher. Once I’ve corrected my technique I think I’ll be able to jump a lot higher.”

[rainbowgirl28]

T&F News Picks:
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index. ... Itemid=115

Isi Back In The Saddle?
THE FORMCHART
1. Yelena Isinbaeva (Russia)................5.01......16-6½ (’08)
2. Jenn Suhr (USA)................................4.92......16-1¾ (’08)
3. Anna Rogowska (Poland)................4.85......15-11 (’11)
4. Svetlana Feofanova (Russia)...........4.88......16-0 (’04)
5. Silke Spiegelburg (Germany)..........4.76......15-7½ (’11)
6. Fabiana Murer (Brazil)......................4.85......15-11 (’10)
7. Martina Strutz (Germany).................4.78......15-8¼ (’11)
8. Nikolía Kiriakopoúlou (Greece).......4.71......15-5½ (’11)
9. Holly Bleasdale (Great Britain)........4.70......15-5 (’11)
10. Carolin Hingst (Germany)..............4.72......15-6 (’10)
Other Americans: Kylie Hutson 4.70/15-5 (’11);
Lacy Janson 4.66/15-3½ (’10)
THE SCOOP
The WR holder took off the ’10 outdoor season to
clear her head, and it seems to have worked. Her appearances
have been few, but good enough to keep
the fave’s mantle over the AR holder.
\

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/27/sport ... .html?_r=1


Women’s Pole Vault (Tuesday) In a career full of highlights and giddy waves to the crowd, the world championships in Berlin in 2009 were the low point for Yelena Isinbayeva. The long-reigning queen of the pole vault, she was deposed in stunning fashion when she failed to clear a height. She handled it with grace: answering question after question (after question) in the mixed zone and then setting her 27th world record the following week in Zurich. But Isinbayeva, stale and weary, still felt the need to take a sabbatical from her sport. The Russian is back now but no longer an overwhelming favorite, with the rise of American Jenn Suhr.

[rainbowgirl28]

One hour to go!

[rainbowgirl28]

Time to get underway! I added some links to the first post.

Qualification standard 4.60m (Q) or at least best 12 (q) qualified

If the conditions are decent, I can definitely see 12+ women making 4.60. 18 women in the competition have made 4.60 or better this season.

[rainbowgirl28]

Here is the height progression: 4.10 4.25 4.40 4.50 4.55 4.60

Sha Wu and Minna Nikkanen are listed as DNS

[rainbowgirl28]

All three Americans are passing this height. Suhr is coming in at 4.50. Isinbayeva at 4.60.

[rainbowgirl28]

Everyone who entered at 4.10 made it on their first try except for Larsåsen who NH'd.

Bar now at 4.25 on both pits.

[rainbowgirl28]

So far over 4.25 on their first attempt: Anna Giordano Bruno (a PVP member!), Dennison, Ptacnikova, Kiriak., Buchler and Schmid.

[rainbowgirl28]

Hutson over on her first attempt! Janson picks up a miss though

[rainbowgirl28]

Kelsie Hendry also over the bar at 4.25.