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 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.

Despite being only 19 years of age, 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.