http://www.athletics.org.au/news/detail ... D2006%2C07
Hooker Flies like an Eagle in Helsinki
Steve Hooker puts his back into it in the pole vault at the World Championships in Helsinki
27 July 2006 | 7.51am
Victories by Australia’s track and field stars in the major European meets continued overnight with Commonwealth Games pole vault champion Steve Hooker scoring an impressive win at the IAAF World Tour in Helsinki.
Hooker’s leap of 5.83m is his best in a major competition and approached his personal best of 5.91m set in interclub in Melbourne. He won in Helsinki by 14 centimeters with Bulgaria's Spas Bukhalov (5.69m) and Germany's Fabian Schulze (5.69m). Fellow Australia Paul Burgess was fourth (5.62m).
Now based in Perth, Hooker and new training partner Paul Burgess were the only remaining competitors attempting 5.83m. Hooker cleared on his first attempt, and 'Buggie' failed his three efforts, placing equal fourth with his second-up clearance at 5.62m.
The 24-year old recently moved from Melbourne to train with Burgess and his coach Alex Parnov and the move is already paying dividends.
Hooker shrugged of a nagging back complaint to dominant the competition and credited West Australian physiotherapist Jocelyn Young for being able to compete. Burgess and Hooker, along with sponsorship from the West Coast Eagles football club, have funded Young’s tour to ensure the duo remain in top shape.
"I strained my hamstring just before we left Australia, but thanks to the Eagles we bought Jocelyn with us and it has really made a difference. I was considering not jumping tonight but warmed up ok so went for it," Hooker said.
"The conditions were tricky tonight and I got a bit of luck with some winds. After clearing 5.83 on my first attempt I had one jump at 5.95 and then went to a bigger pole and had two cracks at 6.01. They were so close – I just shaved the bar on the way down which was pretty exciting."
The results tonight virtually confirm spots in the lucrative IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart in September for both Burgess and Hooker. After recording a 1-2 finish in the Rome Golden League two weeks ago, Burgess leads the World Tour rankings, with Hooker moving to third place. Five other Australians are well placed for a spot in the final, with long jump Bronwyn Thompson leading the Tour rankings, 1500m runner Sarah Jamieson is third, shot putter Scott Martin fourth and pole vaulters Kym Howe and Tatiana Grigorieva third and fourth respectively. Clinton Hill is ninth and will need to improve two places to guarantee entry and get the chance for a huge pay day in Germany.