McCartney gets ready for takeoff
Rio Games star Eliza McCartney will have the handbrake on when she makes twin appearances in Auckland this week as pole vault takes its high-flying show to the people.
The 20-year-old surprise Olympic bronze medallist will be the chief attraction at both the Vertical Pursuit in the heart of Auckland’s CBD this evening and later at the Auckland Track Challenge international meet at the AUT Millennium Stadium on Sunday.
The double appearances will be McCartney’s first in her home town since her Rio heroics when she claimed the bronze medal with a PB-equalling clearance of 4.80m, and went agonisingly close to snatching gold with her first attempt at 4.85.
She has had one hitout in the domestic season, clearing 4.40m to win at the Porritt Classic in Hamilton on February 11, and will look to take another leap up the heights over two meets which her coach is tagging as key stepping stones early in her season.
‘‘She’s not in any hurry, and will be off the short runup for these two meets,’’ said national coach Jeremy McColl. ‘‘This week is mainly about Eliza starting competing again and seeing where she’s at technically. Everything now is geared towards the European season so she won’t be back to the long runup for anything in the domestic season.
‘‘It’s time to look at a few things and see where she’s developed since Rio.’’
To that end the Vertical Challenge − a one-off indoor pole vault event taken to the people in Auckland’s downtown Britomart district − and then the more traditional ATC meet serve a key purpose as McCartney sets off on a campaign that will culminate in the world championships in London in August.
‘‘She still has a couple of qualifying marks she’s looking at before she goes to Europe, but this is more about these technical refinements so when she does go back to the longer runup they’re all in place when she’s at speed,’’ added McColl.
Keeping McCartney honest will be a pair of North American visitors and a young Kiwi comer.
Canadian Alysha Newman, with a PB of 4.65m, and American Morgann Leleux, who has cleared 4.60m, are both capable of pushing McCartney on their day. Newman just failed to make the final in Rio when she had a best of 4.45m in qualifying, while Leleux just missed the US Games team when she finished fourth at their trials.
The unknown prospect will be Kiwi teen Olivia McTaggart who shapes as the next star out of the growing McColl vaulting stable in Auckland after breaking McCartney’s national under-17 record with a leap of 4.30m, and since improving to 4.40m.
McTaggart has shaken off a recent suspected foot fracture to confirm her readiness for this week, which McColl said would be a continuation of the youngster’s education in this highly technical event.
‘‘This one’s all about her learning to compete at the international level. She goes in with no real pressure or expectation. It’s more about trying foot it with three girls who have got substantially higher PBs, and seeing how she reacts in a competition like this.’’
McColl said the unique nature of the Britomart event, being staged indoors, meant it was more likely that the more significant heights would be tested on Sunday at the Millennium track.
‘‘Britomart is a pretty cool indoor facility, but it’s on a wooden runway which is quite a bit bouncier than normal, so there will be an adjustment for everyone. That one’s more of an exhibition, letting the people see pole vault in a unique environment.’’
Top Kiwi male vaulter Nick Southgate, with a PB of 5.47m, is expected to dominate the men’s competitions, both today and Sunday.