Pole vault pad no match for high winds at meet

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.marionstar.com/article/20100 ... ds-at-meet

Pole vault pad no match for high winds at meet
APRIL 4, 2010

BUCYRUS - River Valley finished fourth in the girls meet and the Vikings boys were fifth but it was the high wind that helped decide the outcome of the Bucyrus Elks 156 Invitational track meet at Bucyrus High School.


The severe wind caused the cancellation of the event with four events still to be completed.

The light standards at Bucyrus High School Athletic Complex swayed back and forth and the pole vault pad, which weighs several hundred pounds, was blown over the fence and kept tumbling. A farmer on a tractor was able to retrieve the pad and drag it back to the stadium.

Prior to the start of the 300-meter hurdles the hurdles were being blown over and meet officials decided for the safety of the athletes and fans the rest of the meet was canceled.

[rainbowgirl28]

I've seen the winds blow the bar down, but imagine how hard it would be to vault if the whole pit blew away!

[chasing6]

We have pits blow away at least twice per year up here in Bellingham. The day after a storm I have to go around and reset 3 pits (2 at Civic Stadium and 1 at WWU)... talk about a pain, especially when they're full of water.

[11kalnmitc]

yeah it does suck. this track season we had a huge strom blow through 4 local schools had their pits blown away somewhat. ours went the farthest and broke one of our standards because we had a microburst right around our stadium. it was a mess but with a little help its back up and going then again we are getting a whole new setup next year, pit, standards, and runway

[Thats.What.She.Said]

haha last thursday i think it was, our 3 big mats picked up and blew over