Perth, Hooker 5.70 - Hooker rusty on his return

[Pogo Stick]

http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/hooker-rusty-on-his-return-20100208-nl3e.html

Hooker rusty on his return
TIM CLARKE
February 8, 2010 - 7:29AM
Champion pole vaulter Steve Hooker said he was rusty on his return to competition.

Champion pole vaulter Steve Hooker said he was rusty on his return to competition. Photo: AP

Like his hair, Steve Hooker said he was a bit rusty on his long-awaited comeback yesterday.

But a clearance of 5.70m, and a near completion of 20cm higher than that, was proof enough the torn muscle which almost ruined his World Championships last August is behind him, and greater heights lie ahead.

In an inter-club competition at WA's new athletics track with a pole vault pit almost built for him, Hooker took on training partner Paul Burgess amongst others – but it was his form that the small but appreciative crowd were keen to assess.

After a couple of false starts at his entry height of 5.50m, Hooker went on to a solid clearance at 5.70m and then another decent attempt at the 5.90m mark most would take months, not moments, to build up to.

"It is not a bad first up result but I definitely was a little but rusty though," Hooker said later.

"I jumped 5.50m on a third attempt and then 5.70m on a second, and had a really good jump on a 5.90m on a third attempt."

Despite the plush surroundings of AK Reserve, the home comforts were not all to Hooker's liking, with the wind in the West not entirely conducive to big jumps.

"It was sunny here and for the majority of the competition we had a nice little tailwind," Hooker said.

"You want a nice consistent wind ... it was just a little bit here and there today, so it made it a bit tricky particularly for a first competition.

"Towards the end of the competition it became a little fickle and a bit tough, and I missed one of my attempts at 5.90m because the wind was not great."

With the indoor World Championships in March Hooker's main aim for the early part of the year, jumps in WA, Victoria and NSW will hone the Olympic champion's form.

"I will have a jump in Sydney, and Melbourne, and one more jump in Perth before I head overseas for the world indoors," Hooker told ABC radio.

"I have always enjoyed jumping indoors ... but the world indoors is difficult because you have got jump on back-to-back days."