27.06.2009

Weekend wrap: Pittman-Rawlinson back in the race in Malaga

Reigning world champion Jana Pittman-Rawlinson has breezed through her first race in more than 12 months, winning the 400m hurdles in convincing fashion in Malaga, Spain overnight.

Showing no signs of the ankle injury which delayed her comeback race, the 26-year-old clocked 55.67 in extremely windy conditions, defeating current European leader Anastasiya Rabchenyuk (56.72) of the Ukraine and Janet Wienand (57.71) of South Africa.

Despite her relatively slow time in “the strongest winds I’ve ever raced in”, a relieved Pittman-Rawlinson was happy with her “solid” performance and to have her first race and first win out of the way.

“Today was a good start. I’ve just got to get some speed endurance in my legs because I’m just not quick enough," she said.

“I didn’t die at all today but I just didn’t run as quick as I would have hoped.

“I really did think that she (Rabchenyuk – who came fourth at the Beijing Olympics) would give me a run for my money.

"I didn’t know what time I’d run and considering she’s run middle 54’s for the last couple of races, I thought if I make an error here I’m going to lose.

“So to come off with a win I’m never going to be disappointed with that.”

Pittman-Rawlinson hasn't raced for 12 months, with toe surgery complications early last year forcing her to pull the pin on the Beijing Olympics and the recent Australian domestic season.

The dual world champion admitted the nerves surfaced in the final 24 hours leading up to her comeback race.

“I was really, really nervous. The most nervous I’ve been in a long time. It was the first race I’ve ever done on my own. I don’t get nervous when I’m not passionate, and obviously my passion’s back.”

Seven weeks out from the world championships, Pittman-Rawlinson remains confident that she will be on the start line for August’s world championships in Berlin. Although happy with her progress, Pittman-Rawlinson knows she still has some work to do.

“I’m in as good a position as I have been in the past. I’ve just got to wait and see.

“If it was a perfect race, then I wouldn’t be particularly pleased with 55 and a half but I’ve got a second in there because of the conditions and I’ve another second up my sleeve to work on over the next few weeks.

“It’s about the same time I ran in my first race back in 2007. I’ve got work to do, I know that, but I’ve got no injuries therefore I think the next race will easily be a 54 and hopefully by Monaco I’ll be down to the 53’s.

Pittman-Rawlinson will next race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix meet in Lausanne, Switzerland on July 7.

At the same meet in Malaga, Beijing Olympian Lachlan Renshaw placed sixth in the 800m against a quality international field. The 22-year-old led from the outset and looked set to post a very quick time, but had it tough coming home into the 4.0m/s headwinds, crossing the line in 1:48.73.

Mickle conquers in Finland

In front of a crowd of more than 2000 javelin enthusiasts, Kim Mickle launched the spear 61.83m to take out the women's competition in Pihtipudas, Finland on Sunday.

The West Australian battled through illness and nerves to register throws of 58.76m, 59.27m, 58.84m, 61.83m before fouling on her final two attempts.

It was the sixth competition in a row that the 24 year-old has consistently passed the sixty metre mark, encouraging signs ahead of her first world championships campaign in less than seven weeks time.

Follow Mickle's blog on the WAIS website as she prepares for Berlin.

Offereins, Lucas impress on the Gold Coast

West Australian 400m runner Ben Offereins and Victorian pole vaulter Blake Lucas provided the highlight performances at round 5 of the Gold Coast winter series on Friday night.

The event featured a number of members of the World University Games team who are busy finalising their preparations ahead of their departure for Belgrade on Sunday.

Fresh from defeating Tristan Thomas last weekend, Offereins captured another two big scalps last night in the men's 400m, this time defeating Clay Watkins (46.52) and Beijing Olympian Joel Milburn (46.68).

Recording a world championships B qualifier of 45.69, Offereins sliced 0.31 seconds from his previous personal best of 46.00 set last weekend at the same venue.

The 23-year-old is not afraid to stand up to the big guns. As a teenager in 2005, Offereins stole the show at the national championships, sneaking under the radar to take the national 400m title ahead of three members of Australia's Athens Olympic 4x400m silver medallist relay team. From outside lane nine at Sydney Olympic Park, Offereins at the age of 18 defeated John Steffensen, David Geddes, Mark Ormrod and Patrick Dwyer.

With one position still remaining on the men's 4 x 400m relay team for the world championships, the current depth in the men's 400m is very encouraging.

Nineteen year-old Lucas produced the second highest jump of his short career, clearing 5.50m last night. An important confidence booster ahead of his first World University Games campaign, his jump was just short of his career best of 5.55m set in Melbourne in March.

In other major results:

Olympic silver medallist Sally McLellan won the 100m hurdles in 13.03 (+0.0), ahead of Belgrade-bound Lauren Foote with 15.07. Foote, 25, went on to win the 200m in 25.80.

Two-time national champion Tristan Thomas cruised to an easy 50.38 in the 400m hurdles.

Canberra speedster Melissa Breen (11.68 +0.0) defeated West Australian Jody Henry (11.74) in the women's 100m. Henry, who has also been selected in the 4 x 400m relay team for Berlin, posted 53.42 in the 400m.

Three-time national champion Justin Merlino stopped the clock in 14.06 in the 110m hurdles, Liam Adams took out the men's 1500m in 3:58.20 and Ian Rayson posted 20:22.30 in the mixed 5000m walk.

The athletics competition at the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia will be staged from July 7 - 12. Click here to view the Australian team.

Lewis splashes around in Bottrop

Competing in horrific weather conditions, a jet jagged Tamsyn Lewis made her European season debut over the 400m hurdles on Friday night in Bottrop, Germany.

Lewis and the remainder of the field were set to take their place on the blocks when a massive thunderstorm erupted, flooding the track. The meet resumed an hour and a half later, a saturated Lewis finishing fourth in 58.19.
The 30-year-old will put her opening race down as learning experience before turning her attention to her 400m at the Oslo Golden League on Friday night.

Discus thrower Benn Harradine was also scheduled to compete but his event was cancelled due to the conditions.

Another victory for Cole in Nivelles

Brendan Cole notched up another win in his European campaign, clocking 49.98 seconds over the 400m hurdles in Neville, Belgium on the weekend. Lauren Boden won the women's event in 56.30, her third world championships b qualifier.

The Boyd siblings also tasted victory, Matt Boyd taking out the pole vault with 5.20m, Alana Boyd clearing 4.20m and Jacinta Boyd leaping 6.31m (+2.3) in the long jump.

Looking ahead to Australian athletes in action this week

On Tuesday, Sean Wroe (400m), Mitchell Watt (long jump), Scott Martin (shot put), Alana Boyd (pole vault) and Jeremy Roff (1500m) will line up at the Lille Metropole meet in France.

Sally McLellan and the world youth team will compete on the Gold Coast.

On Wednesday at the Moscow Open, Paul Burgess (pole vault), Lauren Boden and Brendan Cole will feature.

On Thursday, a number of members of the World University Games team will compete in Valenje, Slovenia.

On Friday, the IAAF Golden League returns, the second leg to be staged in Oslo, Norway. The Bislett Games will feature Tamsyn Lewis (400m), Sean Wroe (400m), Collis Birmingham (5000m), Jeff Riseley (mile) and Ryan Gregson (1500m).

And on Saturday, Fabrice Lapierre (long jump) and Madeleine Pape (800m) will compete at the Madrid Grand Prix in Spain.