Report on VM10 on Saturday 16th January 2010.

 

With representatives from Greece, France and Holland together with the best of British vaulters, the latest leg of the French Elite Pole Vault tour took place at Vault Manchester on Saturday 16th January.

 

Once again a record number of vaulters took part in the competition.

 

In the first two pools in the morning George Sharp won Pool C with a clearance of 3m 93. Joshua Barard and Jessica Abraham who came second and third both claimed new PBs.
In Pool D Robert Warensjo won with 4m 83, Doug Curwen-reed in second and Matt Cullen in third both securing new personal bests.
 

The Elite men and women came next and after being introduced to the crowd took part in two great competitions. As expected Kate Dennison, after her tremendous year in 2009, won with 4m 40 and made attempts at the British Women’s record. Henrietta Paxton, in second place, jumped an excellent new PB of 4m 22 to claim a new Scottish record. Third, following on from a PB last weekend, Bryony Raine claimed another PB of 4m 15. Sally Scott attempted a new British Junior record height of 4m 15 but came up short whilst Sophie Upton and Katie Byres claimed new PBs of 3m 91 with Katie just failing in her attempt at the All Time U17 Girls record.

The men’s elite competition was won by Kostas Fillipidis who claimed a New Greek indoor record of 5m 70 followed by Steve Lewis, 5m 63 and Luke Cutts with 5m 53. It was good to see Andy Marsh on form with 5m 18, his second highest ever jump.
 

Pools E and F continued to provide some good competition for the younger vaulters. Rowan May won the Pool E competition with 3m 13 and many more competitors gained new PBs. Paul Hallworth won Pool F with fellow Dearnsider Sean Power in second.

Overall there were 23 personal bests, a Greek indoor record and Scottish record and attempts at the British women’s indoor record, British Junior women’s record, the All Time U17 Girls record and a men’s veteran V55 attempt.
 

All day the stands were packed with enthusiastic parents and coaches encouraging all the competitors. With great music from the DJ’s from “Ear to the Ground” and a fantastic job by George the announcer and very efficient officials another Vault Manchester event passes into the history books.

Let’s see what 2011 brings!