Pole Break... why?

[LHSpolevault]

I know there's been thread discussion on this and I just can't seem to find it. I broke a pole yesterday doing some short run jumps and the pole broke about 14" from the bottom just after I took off. I'm thinking it was because there had to be some type of fracture in the body of the pole already (spikes, standards, etc...) Is that the most likely cause?

[rainbowgirl28]

If that is the only place it broke, there is a decent chance that there was damage to it.

[LHSpolevault]

Yeah I figured that's why. It's one of the first poles we've ever bought (approx 7-8 years old) and it's had a lot of spike marks on it.

[1yeldud1]

My guess is that if you lay that broken piece it will either line up with the sharp edge on the front of the plant box or if your pole vault mats are on a wooden platform or shipping skids if guess that a vaulter "missed" the plant box and shoved the pole under the skids and damaged it that way !!

[yoboe]