WAIS Youngsters Prep for Youth World Champs

WAIS pole vaulters Nina Kennedy and Emma Philippe have competed at a warm-up event in Germany ahead of their Youth World Championship debut in Ukraine this month.

Competing at the Mannheim Junior Gala in wet conditions, Kennedy posted a clearance of 4.10m, whilst Emma Philippe jumped 3.80m despite difficult weather.

London Olympian Liz Parnov also competed in the event, posting a competition record of 4.45m in her first event of a European tour.

WAIS Head Pole Vault Coach Alex Parnov said the difficult conditions were a useful learning curve for his young charges, forcing them to adapt to a different preparation to that which they are accustomed to.

“For Emma (16) and Nina (16) it was their first competition overseas and it was valuable experience to compete with lots of interruptions and a delayed warm-up,” he said.

“Emma managed to clear 3.80m and Nina 4.10m and perhaps both results are a bit below their ability right now. However I believe that would help to improve performance at the World Championship next week,” Parnov added.

Despite being only 19 years of age herself, Liz Parnov demonstrated the maturity that had seen her represent Australia at Commonwealth and Olympic level, handling conditions with aplomb to break a long standing meet record by 4cm. Parnov attempted two jumps at 4.60m – with both efforts marginally short of securing a senior World Championship A-qualifying standard for August’s meet in Moscow.

Kennedy and Philippe have now embarked to Donetsk for their final world champs preparations, whilst Parnov has moved to France, where she will contest a meet in Sotteville on July 8.