Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attention.

[EPelle]

Australian Paul Burgess catapulted into elite company with his 6,00-meter vault last weekend in front of a raucious crowd of ... 15 people.

Are records kept for fewest in attendance during a record/breakthrough jump?

People show in droves for mediocre performances (statistically speaking) at nearly every track meet (save those where Isinbayeva performs). Yet nobody was around for a spectacular jump by Burgess.

The following article in today:s Daily Telegraph put the 6,00m vault into perspective, stating:

> To put that further into context, consider that of the two better-known "magical barriers" in athletics, the sub-four-minute mile has been run by more than 1000 men since Roger Bannister's breakthrough in 1954, and the sub-10 sprint over 100m is becoming almost commonplace with 45 men having run 9.99sec or faster.

Against that, the six metre vaulters club has 13 members. >

(http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story ... id=2749500)


Burgess may be on course for a 6,06m vault if things go as planned this weekend. He will statistically take over his nation:s performance points lead (over Freeman, Markov and Patrick Johnson). Hopefully someone will pay attention.

Thank God for message boards.

[tafnut]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

>>Nobody Paid Attention<<

well, at least we're used to being called nobodies.

[gh]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

<< Yet nobody was around for a spectacular jump by Burgess.>>

First, let me say I know of NOTHING that would lead me to suspect Burgess of anything, but if history tells us anything about big marks made with nobody there........

[EPelle]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

>>First, let me say I know of NOTHING that would lead me to suspect Burgess of anything, but if history tells us anything about big marks made with nobody there........<<


Just hope he doesn:t get stage fright!

[AS]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

This probably needs a bit of context as explanation. Burgess resides in the most isolated state in Australia (and by some measures the most isolated major city in the world). The Western Australian athletics community in terms of spectators is very small. Athletes in Perth typically compete once a week over summer at a meeting that would typically have no more than two heats at any distance. Paul would be one of 3-4 (male) vaulters in the state capable of clearing 4 metres.

As there is only a week until the National Champs on the other side of the country very few athletes appear to have truned out for the Perth competition last Weekend. In fact the Pole Vault was held a day early so there were no competing athletes from the other events in attendance to boost the crowd size. I have no doubt this was a legitimate vault as Paul has been clearing heights near this mark all summer at meets around the country. I'm sure he would have loved to break the mark first in front of TV cameras and spectators in Melbourne a few weeks' back, or on this weekend in Sydney, but in this sport you take your chances when they come.

To get a feel for the small size of the Western Australian athletics community see http://www.waathletics.org.au

[EPelle]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

According to an article published on today's ABC Sport - Athletics website, Australian "Athletics boss admits there's no easy fix" to attracting crowds and financial support.

"There's no good in selling and you can't deliver," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200503/s1315542.htm

[Olegi2]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

Shouldn't the post by GH be pulled? But by whom?

[gh]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

Why? I'm merely drawing on historical precedent in noting that it's not uncommon for performers (particularly in field events) to be unable to duplicate marks made in truly podunk meets when the splotlight of the big time comes around.

[AS]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

Which of the marks won't he be reproducing Garry? The 6m? The 5.95m? The 5.91m? The two 5.80s?

The tone of your email implied that your concerns were with the veracity of the reported marks, but it would appear you're just questioning the likelihood of repeat performances. It would seem Burgess has already addressed this issue over the last 2 months...

If he doesn't repeat the marks in Europe during the Aussie winter that will be disappointing but no more indicative of the "value" of the marks than any US athlete who doesn't kick on post-College season...

[polevaultpower]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

He has a LOT of time left to prove himself at other venues. He's young and the season is still young.

[mike renfro]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

>He has a LOT of time left to prove himself at other venues. He's young and the
>season is still young.

Hell, in the northern hemisphere, the season doesn't even start til tommorrow. Sunday for me, at Stanford.

I thought Burgess had a 5.95 and other good marks, but in a quick look though the eTN 05, found only 5.80. Did he get the others in late 04?

[gh]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

Cut and pasted from Tilastopaja--Burgess's seasonal bests, with site:

1996  5.35  1-19 Wollongong 7 Aug
1997  5.51  2 Perth 15 Feb
1998  5.60  1 Perth 7 Feb
1999  5.52  1 Perth 19 Jan
2000  5.60  1 Melbourne 2 Mar
2001  5.71  1 Perth 20 Jan
2002  5.70  1 Perth 13 Jan
2003  5.70  1 Perth 20 Dec
2004  5.77  1 Perth 17 Jul
2005  6.00  1 Perth 25 Feb

[JY]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

Wasn't there a US vaulter in the 80's who jumped really well in El Paso, TX but didn't do as well elsewhere?

Joe Dial??

[hitchkicker]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

Burgess already said the runway they jump on is known to have a prevailing seabreeze. There is nothing wrong with that but it indicates its probably a good place to jump. Most places are NOT good for the vault. Rarely are pits down the straightaway as they should be in most big meets. Usually across the apron where you have to run up and then down hill. Also, in Europe they are usually soccer stadiums which are enclosed on many sides thus creating swirling winds. Since vaulters carry seventeen foot long sails up in the air, small wind changes play a big factor. Thats why most Americans jump less than 5.80 on there first trip to Europe. Also why you rarely see a 5.80 jump in Japan. Paul should continue to progress this year, but it make take a while to adjust in Europe, unless he gets a "good conditions" day, European meets are usually about the competition in the vault. Unless you consider the smoking winds at altitude in Italy.

[det]

Re: Burgess Performed, Broke a Barrier, & Nobody Paid Attent

Like gh pointed out, I agree that vaults made in "small places" can be hard to duplicate. I remember a whole lot of people getting PR's in Abiliene, Texas in the early 80's. Great wind, vault community, facility and sometimes a crowd. A consistent, hard wind (especially with the old cross bars and standards) gave alot of guys confidence (and move ups on poles) that they lost when they left town. Of course, the best of Abiliene- Billy Olson- set the indoor record which showed everyone he could vault without wind. With or without wind, 6.00 is a helluva vault and I hope the young man from west OZ proves us all wrong.