'09 Zürich wHJ: Vlasic 2.01

[croflash]

I don't remember if the HJ ended before 8pm local time, but I do believe there was enough time left in the window to move the start closer to the presentation, similar to the PV. Instead, a lot of the action got lost in the midst of Nation's Challenge race for the most part. On the other hand, I definitely agree with the idea that there should be almost no delays or breaks to appeal the casual viewer.

Talking about the Nation's Challenge, how did you like the "Americaine"-Relay ? It was great for the locals because both Swiss teams were in contention for the win, the atmosphere was great. Actually, that goes for the entire meet of course, but it was something different that worked and I believe it wasn't just because of the Swiss teams battling for the first place on the homestretch.

[gh]

Expect more of this from the Diamond League, as steps are taken to ensure that field events don't end outside the TV window.

Having said that, it's not management's fault that nearly the whole field blew through the earlier heights without a miss, then as a group suddenly all went out earlier than one would have predicted.

[croflash]

If there was one thing to criticize, it is how the HJ was treated. The competition was almost over before the main program started. It also didn't help that the anticipated duel was nonexistent.

[knockout]

Are you at the meet??

[gh]

already at 1.98

1 VLASIC, Blanka CRO -
-
o
o
o


1.98
2 CHICHEROVA, Anna RUS -
o
xo
o
o


1.98
3 FRIEDRICH, Ariane GER -
-
o
o
-


1.94
4 HOWARD, Chaunte USA o
o
xxo
o
x


1.94
5 BEITIA, Ruth ESP -
o
o
xo
x


1.94
5 DI MARTINO, Antonietta ITA -
o
o
xo
x


1.94
7 SHKOLINA, Svetlana RUS o
o
o
xxx



1.90
8 MELFORT, Melanie FRA o
o
xx-
x

[knockout]

Friedrich in a WR is my prediction!!!!!

[gh]

1 MELFORT Melanie FRA 8 NOV 1982 1.96 1.93
2 SHKOLINA Svetlana RUS 9 MAR 1986 1.98 1.98
3 HOWARD Chaunte USA 12 JAN 1984 2.01 1.98
4 DI MARTINO Antonietta ITA 1 JUN 1978 2.03 2.00
5 BEITIA Ruth ESP 1 APR 1979 2.02 2.01
6 CHICHEROVA Anna RUS 22 JUL 1982 2.04 2.02
7 FRIEDRICH Ariane GER 10 JAN 1984 2.06 2.06
8 VLASIC Blanka CRO 8 NOV 1983 2.07 2.05

[gh]

(the fans at the bottom end of the stadium, as always, will go nuts with this one)

High Jump Women

Beitia, Ruth ESP
Green, Emma SWE
Howard, Chaunte USA
Chicherova, Anna RUS
Shkolina, Svetlana RUS
Di Martino, Antonietta ITA
Melfort, Melanie FRA
Friedrich, Ariane GER
Vlasic, Blanka CRO