Parnov sisters trying to make Aussie Commonwealth Games team

[PV Official]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5854707499

Sister act to sibling rivalry
• By Jessica Halloran in Perth
• From: The Daily Telegraph
• April 17, 2010 12:00AM

THEY share a wardrobe and a dream. Sisters Vicky and Elizabeth Parnov have been known to have "little fights" over clothes but both admit their next battle has a far more precious prize.
The pole-vaulting teenagers are both intent on making the Commonwealth Games team and will compete against each other for a coveted spot at the trials in Perth tonight.
The pair have never known life without pole vault. They are the daughters of Alex Parnov, the coach of Olympic and world pole vault champion Steve Hooker. Their aunt, via marriage, is Tatiana Grigorieva, the silver medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
As Vicky explains they practically grew up at the track and they love that. "It's normal," Vicky says. "We don't know any different."
Elizabeth adds; "It's always fun, exciting, yeah it's good."
Vicky, 19, is already a veteran of one Commonwealth Games team, Melbourne 2006, while Elizabeth, 15, is hoping to make her first senior Australian team.
It is Elizabeth who currently has momentum on her side and she has already cleared the Commonwealth Games qualifying height of 4.30m early this year. Vicky's form by her own admission needs a lift.
"She's pretty much where I am and I have to get my butt into gear," Vicky says.
There's a talented batch of women fighting for just three Commonwealth Games team spots tonight. The talented likes of Amanda Bisk, Olympian Alana Boyd, Charmain Lucock and the Parnov sisters are all in the mix to go to Delhi.
Elizabeth will look to Vicky for inspiration and support tonight.
"It's always cool when you have someone in your family that has achieved good things because you get motivated and stuff," Elizabeth says. "It's definitely a bonus."
"[My progression] has happened really smoothly.
"I am straight away up where she and the other girls are.
"It just happened naturally so it just feels normal."
Elizabeth started jumping when she was eight years old. Vicky started at the age of 10. They both idolise Steve Hooker, whom they train alongside every day.
"I'd love to be as good as an athlete as he is," Elizabeth says. "He's just amazing.
"We are all really close."
Vicky adds; "You think Steve has gotten this far. He started the sport when he was grown up. If he's started when he's a young adult and we've started as children, you know there should be good things to come."
Vicky says while they may be rivals, they are sisters first.
They will both be cheering for each other tonight.
It's an advantage they believe they have over the others.
"At comps we support each other," Vicky says. "She is always saying, 'C'mon Vic'. She is always very supportive of me. She wants me to achieve good heights just like I want her to achieve good heights.
"It's surprising because I thought there would be so much sibling rivalry. I thought we might be at each other's throats. I am surprised how well we do get along."
Outside of the sport they are just regular teenage girls. Immersed in Facebook they often message each other when they just metres apart, from their bedrooms. Then there is the wardrobe.
"Sometimes we'll have a little fight," Vicky says. "I'll be like, 'Liz where did you put my jeans?' But it's good to be so close in age and have the same fashion taste. We just share each other's stuff.
"The only thing is I wish we had the same foot size, so we could wear the same heels.
"But we don't, and that sucks."

[maxiverson]

Event 70 Women Pole Vault Open
=======================================================================
World Record: W 5.06m 28/08/2009 Yelena Isanbaeva, RUS
All Comers: A 4.62m 25/03/2006 Kym Howe, AUS
Meet: M 4.58m 1998 Emma George, VIC
National: N 4.72m 10/02/2007 Kym Howe, WA
4.30m CA
4.10m CB
Name Year Team Finals Points
=======================================================================
Finals
1 Elizabeth Parnov 94 WAIS 4.40m CA
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 3.90 4.00 4.10 4.20 4.30 4.35 4.40 4.45 4.50
P P P P P O O XO O P XO P XXX
2 Alana Boyd 84 WAIS 4.40m CA
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 3.90 4.00 4.10 4.20 4.30 4.35 4.40 4.45 4.50
P P P P P P O O XO P XXO P XXX
3 Amanda Bisk 86 WAIS 4.20m CB
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 3.90 4.00 4.10 4.20 4.30
P P P P P O O XO XXX
4 Vicky Parnov 90 WAIS 4.10m CB
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 3.90 4.00 4.10 4.20
P P P P P O O XXX
5 Ellen Pearce 92 WAIS 4.00m
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 3.90 4.00 4.10
P O O O O O XXX
6 Charmaine Lucock 87 QAS 4.00m
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 3.90 4.00 4.10
P P P O P XO XXX
7 Amanda Bartrim 91 NSW 3.80m
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 3.90 4.00
P P O XO X XXX
7 Irie Hill 69 VIC 3.80m
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 3.90 4.00
P P O O X XX
9 Jana Tankosic 86 SA 3.60m
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80
P P O XXX
10 Paris McCathrion 95 VIC 3.60m
3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80
P P XO XXX
11 Stephanie Langridg 91 NSW 3.40m
3.20 3.40 3.60
O O XXX
-- Pascale Gacon 83 NCL NH
3.20 3.40 3.60
P P XXX
-- Katherine Iannello 83 VIC NH
3.20 3.40
P XXX

[rainbowgirl28]

4.40 at age 15?!