Delhi gold a stepping stone for pole vaulter Alana Boyd

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/others ... 5973197111


Delhi gold a stepping stone for pole vaulter Alana Boyd
Glen Foreman From: The Sunday Times December 18, 2010 6:00PM


STEPPING STONE: Delhi gold medallist Alana Boyd proved her worth at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Alf Sorbello. Source: PerthNow

POLE vaulter Alana Boyd completed a Commonwealth feat never before achieved when she won gold in Delhi.

But for the WA-based Queenslander, it was simply the first step in a three-year plan.

The name Boyd has been inscribed in the Commonwealth Games history books for 32 years since mother Denise won the 200m in Edmonton, Canada, in 1978.

Father Ray joined his title-winning wife with gold in the pole vault at the 1982 Games in Brisbane.

Alana's Delhi dominance in October then created Commonwealth history with the Boyds becoming the first husband, wife and child to each win gold.

The latest winner in the golden lineage said India was a proud achievement for the family.

"It's pretty special and Dad said to me when he saw the medal: 'Aw, it's better looking than mine'," Alana said.

Boyd, previously coached by her father, moved to Perth in October last year to train with world-renowned WA Institute of Sport maestro Alex Parnov, steward of the sport's ultimate champion Steve Hooker.

The state switch followed a knee injury that stunted her form and inflamed as last year's world championships loomed, forcing her to withdraw from the Berlin titles and have surgery.

"It was at that time that my dad, who was my coach, and my mum said they thought it was time I spent some time training with Alex in Perth," she said.

"I said that if I was going to spend time with Alex in Perth, then I was going to do it properly."

The 26-year-old, whose personal best of 4.56m has her fourth on Australia's all-time list, set a three-year goal for her time in Perth.

Boyd has since had her technique stripped back and revamped by Parnov as she rebuilds her height in a charge to the London Olympics.

But first comes the Australian domestic season, with Boyd's opening jump planned for a few weeks' time, followed by the August world titles in South Korea.

"It was hard leaving my family and friends, but it was easy in the respect that Alex is such a renowned coach and I didn't want to die wondering," she said.

"I should've jumped higher this season. It would've been nice to clear 4.55m at the Commonwealth Games and I certainly was capable of it, but it didn't happen.

"This season I'm looking to jump a PB in the domestic season and jump into the 60s and it's great to have a world champs in the lead-up to an Olympics. I'm looking forward to competing with the big girls."

[Bubba PV]

Her dad, Ray is in Houston right now working with Tom Tellez. We're trying to get our schedules in sync before they leave. Bubba