19.08.2009

Super Sally set for semi-finals showdown

Sharon Hannan, coach of Olympic silver medallist Sally McLellan, with the exclusive inside word on last night's heats of the women's 100m hurdles.

Berlin - Tuesday August 18, 2009. Well, the time wasn’t particularly pretty, but Sal got the job done. All she needed to do was clear 10 hurdles and preferably win. The draw for the semi-finals should be out later tonight and we’re hoping the draw is a good one for her.

We left the hotel on the 3:30pm bus and the skies were threatening to open up their water tanks.  The temperature was a little cool, probably around 20 degrees, which was a shame because the days have been quite warm recently. We sat around in the physio tent chatting until the 4:34pm warm-up start time.

Even though there were 39 girls trying to warm up for hurdles, there wasn’t too much congestion because they spread themselves around the track and the heats were spread out as well. The whole warm-up went like clock-work and the environment seemed to respond by warming up the day as well. The sun came out, the cool winds dropped, and the temperature was a more respectable 23 degrees or thereabouts (now I’m a weather girl as well – multi-talented!).

We were a little concerned about the 40 minute call room time, so added one extra start over one hurdle to our normal routine of reps out of the blocks. We had a good 'traffic cop' crew of (national selector) Peter Fitzgerald, (team leader) Eric Hollingsworth, (event coach) Penny Gillies, (team manager) Sue Hobson, (physiotherapist) Liz Molloy and (massage therapist) David Flowers, but they weren’t really needed. Only one person walked across the track in front of a hurdler and Sally wasn’t on the track at the time. The American coaches yelled at the offender and I don’t think anyone else dared to do the same. Like I said yesterday, it can be dangerous out there.

The warm-up track is often a good place to catch up with other coaches from around the world, albeit briefly. There are quite a few 'hullo’s' to get through. One guy spoke to Penny and I about moving to the UK because they are desperately short of female coaches! There would be a few people unhappy about that situation if it eventuated, not least of whom would be my three gorgeous grandchildren.

Sal has ended up with the eighth fastest time which she’s not very happy about. She’s a great competitor though, and I know that when confronted with the reality of needing to place first or second to automatically qualify for the final, she will rise to the occasion. The adrenaline will be pumping, so stay tuned.

I’m sorry this is another short one, but I’ll get back to you all tomorrow night. 

Cheers from me again.

Sharon

McLellan will race from lane six in heat three of the women's 100m hurdles semi-finals. To view start lists for all three semi-finals, click here.

McLellan's semi-final will be shown live on SBS TWO at 2:45am on Thursday, August 20 (AEST). If she progresses to the final it will be broadcast live on SBS ONE at 5.15am on Thursday, August 20 (AEST).

Read previous instalments of Sharon's exclusive online diary here.