Irie Hill Article

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http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/detail. ... m=3&y=2004

Vaulters battle flukey winds
Monday, 12 January 2004

FLUKEY winds made it difficult for Commonwealth Games pole vault medallist Irie Hill to soar towards the 4 m mark in Saturday's track and field competition in Bendigo.

Hill, 34, joined Melbourne University clubmates Adele Holland, of Bendigo, and Sarah Riseley for another hit-out in the lead-up to major events.

Great Britain's first gold medallist in women's pole vault at the Commonwealth Games, Hill cleared 3.30 m and 3.45 m at her first attempts on the Flora Hill runway.

Wind gusts became stronger as the 2004 Athens Olympics contender zeroed on 3.60 m.

Despite falling well short of a personal best of 4.20 m, Hill was impressed with Bendigo's facilities and the standard of competition.

"We have been battling strong winds at training and in competition in Melbourne the past five weeks."Adele (Holland) had told us a lot about Bendigo and we were keen to compete here. "It was a pity the wind was gusting like it did today." The international star praised Athletics Bendigo's officials on a well-run meet.

Hill said Melbourne University had a "very talented young group of vaulters" coached by her husband and coach, Warren.

She often gives tips to Holland and Riseley, but also learns from the enthusiastic teenagers.

"I'm always learning something from training sessions and competition." A gymnast and athlete as a teenager, Hill took on the challenge of pole vaulting when she was 27.

"It's great to see a lot of younger girls now competing. "For many years there was no pole vaulting for women."

A major goal for Hill is next month's World Indoor Masters, an athletics first, in Sindelfingen, Germany.

Hill celebrates her 35th birthday this Friday and is looking forward to competing in a city not far from her birthplace.

Her parents, Bertram and Heidi, will be trackside when she competes at the Indoor Masters from March 12.

Hill witnessed many outstanding leaps in Saturday's competition in Bendigo.

Bendigo YMCA Harriers' Justin McEwan cleared 3.75 m in a record-breaking leap.

Adele Holland was just 5 cm off her personal best and centre record of 3.20 m. Holland will be a leading contender for this year's Commonwealth Youth Games to be run in Bendigo.

A silver medallist at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, Duane Cousins, from Eaglehawk, walked the 3 km race on Saturday.

For Irie Hill passing the 4.20 m mark is the goal, along with a first Olympic appearance after injury put her out of the running for Sydney 2000.