PoleVaultPower.com

http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx ... ame=405418

Hooker wins another pole vault title
2nd August 2007, 10:21 WST

Steve Hooker is heading home primed for world championship success after soaring to his fourth pole vault title in Europe in a month.
The world No.1 ranked Australian cleared 5.70 metres to win at the Folksam Grand Prix in Gothenburg, Sweden on a count back from American Jacob Pauli and hometown hero Alhaji Jeng.

Hooker, 25, has finished on the podium in six of his last seven competitions in Europe and now returns to Perth to prepare for the world championships in Osaka, Japan starting later this month.

"This was my third comp in a week, the worst result being second and the worst height 5.70m, so it's coming along quite nicely," said Hooker.

"My aim was consistency on this trip and I think I've achieved that.

"I have had a couple of comps over 5.80m, I know my poles and I know my run up."

"I'm looking forward to getting home, sleeping in my own bed and staying in my own house, training and getting ready for worlds."

Hooker prevailed in Gothenburg after he, Pauli and Jeng had unsuccessful attempts at 5.85m.

"With three guys over 5.70m it looked like being pretty exciting," Hooker said.

"But then Pauli did his hamstring on his first attempt at 5.85m and that seemed to take the sting out of it.

"It made everyone a bit cautious."

http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/Othe ... tion-32458

Hooker continues winning preparation
2/08/2007 11:29:24 AM
Sportal
Australian world number one pole vaulter Steve Hooker has soared to his fourth victory in Europe after taking out the Folksam Grand Prix title in Gothenburg overnight.

The win closes the book on an outstanding European campaign for the 25-year-old, who has earned six podium finishes in his last seven competitions in an ominous display of form ahead of the world championships in Osaka later this month.

The Swedish crowd witnessed Hooker, along with American Jacob Pauli and hometown hero Alhaji Jeng all clear 5.70m in favourable weather conditions, however the West Australian prevailed on a count back after all three had unsuccessful attempts at 5.85m.

"The competition was heating up, with three guys over 5.70m and it looked like being pretty exciting, but then Pauli did his hamstring on his first attempt at 5.85m and that seemed to take the sting out of it. It made everyone a bit cautious," said Hooker after the meet.

"This was my third comp in a week, the worst result being second and the worst height 5.70m, so it's coming along quite nicely."


The 2006 World Cup champion returns home to Perth on Saturday to continue his preparations for Osaka.

"My aim was consistency on this trip and I think I've achieved that. I have had a couple of comps over 5.80m, I know my poles and I know my run up," continued Hooker.

Another Australian to taste success in Gothenburg was New South Wales middle distance runner Lachlan Chisholm, who recorded a season's best time of 3:39.20 in the 1500m.

A 57-second last lap with a hard sprint down the final straight secured the victory for the 27-year-old ahead of Jon Rankin (3:39.40) from the United States. Victoria’s Collis Birmingham finished sixth in 3:42.90, with Paul Hoffman from New South Wales 12th in 3:46.40.

Rising Victorian star Jeff Riseley also finished on the podium, clocking 1:47.93 to finish third over 800m, with three-time national champion Nick Bromley seventh in 1:49.07.


Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
Share

So Pauli pulled his hamstring? Wasn't he on the WC team? too lazy to look it up myself.