I need some advice about pole progression

[rossi]

I am about to order a few new poles, and I need some advice.

The athlete I'm coaching started pole vaulting october 2010. His first "competition-pole" was an old Pacer, 155lbs 4.60m. In March 2011 I bought a Nordic Evo 165lbs 4.50m 18,6 flex. It soon became soft, so now he uses this pole from 5 lefts with a 4.30 grip. In August we bought a Nordic Evo 175lbs, 4.50m and 16.9 flex - works fine at the moment. My suggestions for the next pole is a Nordic Evo 185lbs 4.50, 15.9 flex. What next? Move to a longer pole? - How do you calculate the weight rating when you move to a longer pole? Would this 4.75m-pole be a good choice? http://www.nordicsport.se/product/37406 ... _475_m_180

Some facts about the athlete:
20 years
75 kgs
183cm
quite fast, 11.2sek 100m
unexperienced, but talented vaulter

[rossi]

I spoke with the manufacturer and his suggestion was:

1. 180lb/4.50m/15.8 flex
2. 175lb/4.75/19.5 flex

Any views on this?