The American, Olympic pole vault vice-champion, Christopher Nilsen had almost wings, this Saturday evening, at the elite pole vault tour of Rouen, which began with a minute of applause in support of Ukraine. Author of an almost perfect contest, he crossed a bar at six meters five to win and in the process steal the record of the meeting (and of the United States), hitherto held by the Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie. Filipino Ernest Obiena and Brazilian Thiago Diaz complete the podium.
Renaud Lavillenie, penultimate
Among the women, the Slovenian Tina Sutej won with a jump of four meters eighty, ahead of the Swiss Angelica Moser and the Cuban Yarisley Silva. On the French side, big disappointment for Renaud Lavillenie who ranks good 10th (and penultimate in the competition). It’s better for his brother, Valentin, who beat his personal best at five meters eighty-one. He ranks fifth.
“I didn’t think it would be so difficult, explained Renaud Lavillenie at the end of the competition. It’s frustrating because considering the warm-up I did I could really expect to do a few good things except I don’t have enough training in my legs. I know that I still have a lot of work to do to find my level.”
And it will first go through a little rest, the 35-year-old pole vaulter has announced that he is ending his indoor season, leaving the way open to his brother Valentin for the world indoor championships in Belgrade which will take place from March 18 to 20.