Description

Pole vaulting is an athletics event where competitors use a long, flexible pole as an aid to leap over a bar, similar to the high jump, but at much greater heights.

The progression goes from an initial height, called the opening height, presumably a height that all competitors are capable of clearing, and progresses higher by even increments. Typical increments are six inches in high school competitions, or 10-15 cm in collegiate and elite competitions. Competitors can enter the competition at any point in the progression. After entering the competition, the vaulter has three attempts to successfully clear the bar. After a successful clearance, the vaulter may jump at the next height in the progression, or choose to pass to a higher height. A vaulter is out of the competition when he/she misses a bar three consecutive times. A "no height", often denoted NH, refers to the failure of a vaulter to clear any bar during the competition.

Having cleared the highest height, the last competitor remaining in the competition wins. Vaulters are placed first, second and so forth according to their highest cleared height and the number of attempts that were taken to clear that height. A tie can occur when two or more vaulters have the same number of misses at every height. Ties can be broken in what is known as a jump-off. A jump-off is a sudden death competition in which both vaulters attempt the same height, starting with the last attempted height. If both vaulters miss, the bar goes down by a small increment, and if both clear, the bar goes up by a small increment. A jump-off ends when one vaulter clears and the other misses.

Greats: Sergei Bubka

Cool Gear

Sergei Bubka (born 4 December 1963 in Voroshilovgrad U.S.S.R., today Luhansk, Ukraine) is an Ukrainian (and former Soviet) athlete. He is the first pole vaulter to clear 6.00 and 6.10 metres (20 feet). He set the current world record of 6.14 metres on 31 July 1994 in Sestriere, Italy.

Sergei Bubka started pole vaulting as young as nine. In 1978, aged 15 Bubka moved to Donetsk, Ukraine with his coach Vitaly Petrov. He entered world athletics in 1983 when he won the event in Helsinki with 5.70 metres (18 feet 8 inches). In the years that followed, Bubka set new standards in pole vaulting. He cleared 6.00 metres (19 feet 8 inches) on 13 July 1985 in Paris. This height had long been considered unattainable. Bubka improved his own record little by little. In 1988 he achieved 6.06 metres in Nice, France. This increased the suspense whether he could beat the 6.10 metres mark at the Olympic Games in Seoul in the same year. Somewhat disappointed, he still won the gold medal with 5.90 metres (19 feet 4 inches).

Nike Men's Zoom PV Lite

The Nike Zoom PV Lite is the first track and field shoe designed specifically for the pole vault. Perfect for vaulters of all abilities from beginners to Olympic champions. Aeroply upper creates dynamic support without sacrificing breathability. Lightweight stretch innersleeve adds dynamic fit and comfort. Midfoot support strap provides adjustable fit and tension release for added comfort during those long pole vault competitions. Platform is engineered with a broad and relatively flat bottom for added stability at plant and take off. The 8mm heel-to-toe offset enhances transition for the upright running style unique to vaulting. Five removable pins are placed in key zones of the extended spike plate for explosive runway traction. The Nike Zoom PV Lite weighs in at 7.2 oz. for the lightweight feel vaulters demand.

Nike Zoom Triple Jump/Pole Vault Shoes

Designed for the advanced and competitive triple jumper. This spike's plate and midsole wedge design provides the perfect combination of flexibility and stability for all of the demands and phases of the triple jump. This is also a great pole vault spike.
Newly designed triple jump specific plate that allows a flat outsole profile. EVA midsole wedges configured to provide maximum stability during the hop and step phase. Lighweight sprint mesh. Sprint and jump specific forefoot synthetic overlays. Injected TPU side wall panels for maximum support and take-off.

Links

» Article - history, technique
» Tim Mack - bio.
» Sergei Bubka - bio.
» Yelena Isinbayeva - bio.

Greats: Yelena Isinbayeva

Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia; born June 3, 1982 in Volgograd) is a Russian pole vaulter. She won the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal with a new World Record (then 4.91 m), was elected Female Athlete of the Year by the IAAF twice (2004 and 2005) and has set numerous World Records. On June 22, 2005, she became the first female pole vaulter to clear 5.01 metres.

At the age of 23 she is seen as the best female pole vaulter in history. She has already crowned herself 5-time major champion (Olympic, World outdoor and indoor champion and European indoor champion) and became the first woman to clear the metric barrier of 5.00 m.

Nike Men's Pro Vent Tight Bolt L/S Top

The Nike Pro Vent Tight Bolt top is a performance base-layer top that's lightweight and cool to the touch. Tubular seamless body construction. Knit-in mesh panels under arms and at back neck. Flat stitching at seams. Heat transfer tattoo "Lightning Bolt" on center chest. Swoosh design trademark heat transfer at left chest. Dri-FIT® 74% polyester/14% nylon/12% spandex jersey. Imported.

Where to get it:
» Niketown
» Nike.com
» Footlocker
» Eastbay
» Ernst Sporting Goods
» Dick's Sporting Goods

Under Armour Women's Frequency Tee

Great under a jersey or on its own. Delivers a snug fit and a full range of motion for the female body. HeatGear® 84% polyester/16% Elastane fabric. Cap sleeves and V-neck for attractive, moisture wicking performance. Imported.

Where to get it:
» Footlocker
» Eastbay
» Ernst Sporting Goods
» Dick's Sporting Goods

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