26.07.2009

Hooker and McLellan victorious in London

Three weeks out from the commencement of the world championships in Berlin, Olympic champion Steve Hooker and Olympic silver medallist Sally McLellan have secured victory against quality opposition on the second day of competition at the London Grand Prix overnight.

Australian pole vaulter Hooker had suffered a rare defeat at the hands of the French duo Renaud Lavillenie and Romain Mesnil in Reims on July 15 and expectations were high that he would be back to his usual winning ways at the London Grand Prix.

Despite the absence of the French pair, a strong field was assembled in London including 2008 Olympic fourth placer Derek Miles (USA) and reigning world champion Brad Walker (USA).

Hooker entered the men's pole vault competition at 5.55m and as expected from the 6.06m indoor performer, he had a comfortable clearance. At that same height, training partner Paul Burgess (5.40m) exited the competition, whilst American Walker failed to clear a height.

With the bar raised to 5.70m Hooker had another big clearance but the height proved too difficult for most of the field. Miles, the 36-year old veteran and Hooker were left to fight it out at 5.84m, but it was then that the conditions changed for the worse.

“At the first few heights I was jumping well but then the conditions dropped off and it was hard to maintain that,”' said the Australian record holder about the wind-affected competition.

Hooker never looked quite right on the runway at 5.84m and only had one serious attempt. After Miles bailed out on his three tries, Hooker was awarded the win on a count-back due to his first attempt success at 5.70m.

Hooker described his victory as a “bittersweet kind of result”.

“I am happy to get the win but obviously would like to jump bigger,” said the Australian who is the second-highest vaulter of all-time. 

The Olympic champion is looking to add the world title to his list of achievements and whilst not satisfied with his performance, the experience in London was invaluable.

“We are likely to get similar conditions in Berlin. Berlin's a big stadium with swirly winds. It's good to compete in these conditions and figure out what you need to do.”

Sally McLellan displayed her exceptional starting ability on the way to winning in her second fastest time this season with 12.65 (-0.7) in the women's 100m hurdles.

McLellan dominated the field that included 2008 world indoor Champion Lolo Jones (USA) and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (Canada).

“It's good to beat Lolo Jones as she has been running so well,” said the 2008 Olympic silver medallist.

2003 world champion Perdita Felicien from Canada was second with 12.66s.

Australia's middle distance men continued to impress as they have done for most of 2009.

Collis Birmingham ran a personal best in the Emsley Carr Mile with 3.54.30s. Jeremy Roff and Ryan Gregson also ran their fastest ever times of 3.55.05s (8th) and 3.58.90s (11th) respectively. The race was won by veteran Bernard Lagat from USA in 3.52.71s.

Going faster that ever before was not enough to satisfy Birmingham who placed fourth in the race.

“It was alright. I wanted to finish a bit higher up.”

Still, the distance is much shorter than the 5000m or 10000m he will race in Berlin and with this race being his last before the world championship he now moves his attention to finalising his best preparation ever.

“That's my last race. I'll just get ready for Berlin now,” said Birmingham.

Fabrice Lapierre and Mitchell Watt were joined by Australian junior record-holder Henry Frayne in the men's long jump. The trio placed fourth, sixth and seventh respectively.

Lapierre withdrew after jumping 8.00m in the first round with Watt (7.96m) and Frayne (7.61m) also not approaching the big distances seen from them already this season.

2004 Olympic Champion Dwight Phillips (USA) won the competition with a wind-assisted 8.33m.

Kim Mickle was below 60m for the first time this European campaign as she threw 59.67m in the women's javelin to finish third.

Sean Wroe challenged Angelo Taylor (USA), the 2004 and 2008 Olympic 400m hurdles champion, as they entered the final straight in the men's 400m but the reigning national champion faded over the last 60m to place fourth in 45.63s. Michael Bingham (UK) won the race in 45.03s.

In the last event of the two-day meet, Australia's 4 x 100m men's team (Anthony Alozie, Josh Ross, Aaron Rouge-Serret, Matt Davies) placed sixth with 39.37s in a race that saw Usain Bolt and his Racers TC team-mates win in 37.46s, the fourth fastest time ever.

There are two major meets remaining on the IAAF calendar ahead of the world championships in Berlin to be staged from August 15 to 23.

In Monaco on Tuesday night (July 28), Tristan Thomas (400m H), Sally McLellan (100m H), Youcef Abdi (LJ), Fabrice Lapierre (LJ), Mitchell Watt (LJ) and Kim Mickle (javelin) will be in action.

Whilst a number of Australians will compete in the Stockholm Super Grand Prix on Friday night (July 31).

With thanks to Pat Birgan