Pedro's Cup - Pyrek 4.71, Rogowska 4.61

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=49283.html

A Polish affair in women's Pole Vault

The women’s pole vault competition was hard hit by the withdrawal of Yelena Isinbayeva due to illness, but it proved an exciting competition nonetheless. And, despite the presence of world-class competitors from Russia and Germany, it was the Poles who came through to take the top three positions.

Of those foreign guests, Tatyana Polnova and former World Indoor champion Anastasija Reiberger only managed to clear 4.31 before failing three times each at the next height. Silke Spiegelburg did better, but a second-time clearance of 4.51 was as high as she could go, and 4.61 proved too much on this occasion. The same height was cleared first time by Poland’s Joanna Piwowarska, who thus equalled her indoor personal best and placed third in the competition.

In the end, though, two women stood out from the rest of the field. Monika Pyrek started off well with first-time clearances at 4.31 and 4.51. Anna Rogowska struggled somewhat at these heights, clearing on her second and third attempt, respectively. Once the bar went up to 4.61, however, both Polish women went over on their first attempts without much trouble.

Pyrek continued her series of first-time clearances at 4.66 with a well-measured attempt, while Rogowska passed that height. The rivalry resumed at 4.71, and once again Monika Pyrek executed well on her first attempt. With her usual excellent technique, this looked to be a comfortable attempt, although she had little to spare over the bar as she brushed it slightly on her way down. Rogowska had an unsuccessful first attempt, in which she failed to even reach the bar, but on her second she had an impressive clearance with a few centimetres to spare.

Pyrek then went on to attempt 4.76, as Rogowska played the waiting game once more and didn’t re-enter the competition until the bar was raised to 4.81. Neither was successful at those mighty heights, but both had reasons to be satisfied. Pyrek, the winner thanks to a clean sheet up to 4.71, said afterwards she had not expected to vault as high. Like Majewski, she is not taking this indoor season too seriously, and is also giving the European Indoor Championships a miss.

Rogowska, on the other hand, is intending to go to Turin. The 4.71, which is her highest clearance in exactly two years, puts her as joint second with Pyrek in the world lists this year. Only American Jenn Stuczynski has vaulted higher, which means Rogowska will start as one of the favourites for the European crown.

[ilios]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgFYfDXBGt4

I heard that Pyrek runs 14 steps! Not full run up.