Today's Quote from Mechanics of the Pole Vault

[botakatobi]

I've been asking both Brian and Bob for several years to consider Dr. Ganslen for induction. This last year I sent his daughter the contact information so she could contact Bob herself. His admission into the Hall is great.

[KirkB]

Yes, this is great news! He deserves it - he did so much hard work every year updating his book with the latest and greatest technical improvements. 1973 was the 8th edition, but I think he continued it until at least 1978, which would make it at least 13 editions. This was a very exciting era of the history of fiberglass pole vaulting - 1964 was the first year where all Olympic competitors used glass, and the WR and OR increased rapidly from then until the 1990s - much more rapidly than any time prior or since.

Does anyone know when the final edition was published? Botakatobi, I'd be very surprised if you can't answer this.

Posthumous congratulations to Dr. Richard Ganslen for his induction into the National PV Hall of Fame, and thanks to his daughter and to Botakatobi for their roles in submitting his application.

In honor of this PV pioneer, I will continue what Becca started, by posting some more quotes from Mechanics of the PV.

Kirk

[KirkB]

Pole vaulters judge their distance from the box with a remarkable degree of accuracy as a result of habit, highly trained reflexes and good depth perception. Some vaulters are sharp enough to correct their run in four or five strides when they sense they are off and still make a successful vault.

(from page 24 of Mechanics of the PV (8th Edition - written by Dr. Richard Ganslen)

Kirk

[botakatobi]

His last edition was 1980.

Of historical note, Ganslen was one of just a few important authors who wrote about the pole vault from the late 1890s to the early 1950's.

All the basic technical concepts of mid mark, straight top arm plant, being slightly out at plant, running off ground, giant swing and staying close to the pole during the late swing were well discussed in the 1920's. Additionally there is much written on the advantage of flexible bamboo poles that snap back at the end of the vault, thus providing vaulters with a distinct advantage over the non flexing hard wood poles, aluminum poles and thick bamboo poles of the 1930's and 1940's.

Dr. Ganslen made a great impact at the time fiberglass poles became the norm, and he helped all of that era understand early glass technique.

[rainbowgirl28]

I've been asking both Brian and Bob for several years to consider Dr. Ganslen for induction. This last year I sent his daughter the contact information so she could contact Bob herself. His admission into the Hall is great.

I have also nominated him more than once over the past several years. This has been a long overdue honor.

[KirkB]

IT IS IMPERATIVE TO REMEMBER THAT NO MATTER HOW PERFECT THE POLE PLANT, ITS EFFECTIVENESS DEPENDS UPON THE PRESICION OF THE RUN-UP TO THE BOX

(from page 25 of Mechanics of the PV (8th Edition - written by Dr. Richard Ganslen)

Kirk

[KirkB]

ANY IMBALANCE IN POLE VAULTING RESULTING FROM THE TAKE-OFF MECHANICS CANNOT BE CORRECTED BY ANY ACTION OF THE VAULTER AFTER HE LEAVES THE GROUND.

(from page 27 of Mechanics of the PV (8th Edition - written by Dr. Richard Ganslen)

[KirkB]

... the completion of the plant should find the vaulter's shoulders square to the box. The PLANT MUST NOT BE SO LATE THAT THE SHOULDER ROTATION DURING THE PLANT CANNOT TAKE PLACE IN THE SHORT TIME AVAILABLE.

(from page 27 of Mechanics of the PV (8th Edition - written by Dr. Richard Ganslen)

Kirk

[KirkB]

GET YOUR RIGHT ARM UP

When the arm extension is coupled with a driving forward upward take-off action the vaulter will feel as if he had been lifted from the ground. There wil be no jerk from the transfer of the weight to the pole ...

(from page 28 of Mechanics of the PV (8th Edition - written by Dr. Richard Ganslen)

Kirk

[grandevaulter]