Euro Men - Lavillenie 5.81, Gerasimov, Straub 5.76

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=49680.html

Lavillenie’s lucky number

Renaud Lavillenie has been the find of the continental pole vaulting season. Lost behind the global headlines being set by Australia’s Olympic champion Steve Hooker this winter, the 22-year-old Frenchman has been building a solid reputation.

Lavillenie first came to international attention when improving his indoor personal best by 11 centimetres to 5.81m on 5 December last year in Aulnay-sous-Bois, and Lavillenie repeated that height when winning at the Moscow IAAF indoor permit meeting on 1 February.

Today was third time lucky as he topped out an immaculately clean jumping card through 5.51, 5.71, 5.76, with a first time success at 5.81. With the title secure at his favourite height Lavillenie later made three failed attempts at 5.91m.

The best of the rest were Russia’s Pavel Gerasimov and Germany’s Alexander Straub, with the silver and bronze decided in that order on count-back at 5.76m.

Final 15:25 08.03.2009
Rank Bib Athlete Nation Result
1 100 Lavillenie, Renaud FRA 5.81 =PB
2 256 Gerasimov, Pavel RUS 5.76
3 160 Straub, Alexander GER 5.76
4 122 Lewis, Steven GBR 5.71
5 291 Jeng, Alhaji SWE 5.71
6 232 Michalski, Lukasz POL 5.61
7 105 Mesnil, Romain FRA 5.61
8 23 Bukhalov, Spas BUL 5.41

[polevaulter08nw]

Go Renaud!