Netters Ken asked: >This story suggests that Kevin Dare was trying to use a 16-foot pole (and >holding too high?) when he'd been used to a 15-footer. Any comments?
Yes. There is a difference between a 15 foot and 16 foot pole beyond length. All poles have sections, the bottom is called the mandible. It is about the lower foot of the pole and it does not bend. The next section is the sail piece, and it does bend. Poles of 15 foot or shorter have a shorter mandible and lower the sail piece. Above 15 feet the mandible gets longer by 3-6 inches ( I am not sure which). THe transition from a 15 to a 16 foot pole is not the same as the transition from say 13 to 15 foot.. It isn't just a matter of changing steps and speed. Because the mandible is higher the bend is up higher. The angle of the take off is different. As I under stand it you jump up onto the pole rather then "into the pole." One of my vaulters here has made the transition already, but I have yet to get someone to do it that I have taught. I doubt that this change had much to do with the accident. Though I can't say for sure but most of the time the vaulter just flat out gets rejected if they don't jump right. I don't think we can say he was trying to hold too long of a pole. Michael (who prays he never sees this with one of his athletes)
