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One of four titles up for grabs this Australian Athletics Tour, the jumps division, despite what looks like an obvious result, is arguably the most intriguing as the Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final fast approaches. The current, and seemingly unbeatable, leader
Athletics Australia – News – Big jumps likely at Tour Final in Perth
One of four titles up for grabs this Australian Athletics Tour, the jumps division, despite what looks like an obvious result, is arguably the most intriguing as the Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final fast approaches.
The current, and seemingly unbeatable, leader is Mitchell Watt, but should the men's long jump result not fall his way the final leader board could appear in a multitude of ways.
Soaring an impressive 8.38m (w: +1.5) to win and score 18 points (8 + 10 bonus points) at the Sydney Track Classic, Watt currently holds the best score of the Tour regardless of division.
The only athlete to have scored ten bonus points for a result that lies within the top-4 worldwide, it can be argued that the world and world indoor championships bronze medallist could achieve a perfect score. Watt is capable of again soaring 8.35m plus and this would suggest a likely win and ten further bonus points to bring his total to 38, the maximum available to any athlete competing in only one discipline.
Standing in the way of Watt's perfect score, however, is Commonwealth and world indoor champion Fabrice Lapierre.
Taking to the runway domestically for the first time at the Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final, Lapierre, who became national champion with a huge wind assisted 8.78m leap at the same track last year, could take victory ahead of Watt and in turn prevent a perfect score.
The jump-off between the two world championships medallists is one of the best head-to-head battles of the Australian Athletics Tour and strong results in the right conditions could easily become the highlight of Australia's domestic season.
Looking to spoil Watt's party, and importantly stake his own claim for IAAF world championships selection, is QAS scholarship holder Henry Frayne.
Taking to the runway in both the men's triple jump and long jump, Frayne, who led the division across the early rounds of the Tour, might jump 8.12m (long jump, 3 bonus points) and 17.12m (triple jump, 5 bonus points) to finish with 38 points and win. This would reduce Watt's best possible point score and, although both performances would be a personal best, Frayne's recent form suggests it is not beyond him.
Rounding out those in the hunt for minor placings are high jumpers Amy Pejkovic and Josh Hall, local favourite Zoe Timmers and Commonwealth pole vault champion Alana Boyd, who to date has scored points once.
A world youth championships silver medallist, Pejkovic looks set to face off with Timmers in the race for the ten winners points, with the result set to decide their overall standing. The duo will also be looking for a 1.86m clearance to ensure 2 bonus points and a final point score higher than their current 17 and 14 respectively.
Hall burst into the Australian All-Time List top ten at the Victorian State Championships (first, 2.26m), with the Queenslander looking to reprise this form in Perth. If he does, a win seems likely and the addition of two bonus points will take his total point score to 21 points.
The winner at the Sydney Track Classic for nine points and a recent 4.60m personal best leap at the Western Australian Athletics Stadium, Boyd on her home runway could take her total point score to 24. A second clearance at 4.60m, yet another world championships qualifier, would suggest victory, ensure 15 points (10 + 5 bonus points) and make a serious play for a minor placing at worst.
Prize money for the Australian Athletics Tour, including the jumps title, is as follows:
1st – $10,000
2nd – $7000
3rd – $4000
4th – $2500
5th – $1000
6th – $500
Current standings in the race for the jumps crown are as follows:
|
Athlete |
Current Ranking |
Current Points Total |
|
Mitchell Watt |
1st |
28 |
|
Henry Frayne |
2nd |
20 |
|
Amy Pejkovic |
3rd |
17 |
|
Josh Hall |
4th |
15 |
|
Charmaine Lucock |
5th |
15 |
The Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final will be held in Perth on Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the gate.
To download and view the current Australian Athletics Tour leader boards, please click here.
To find out more about the Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final, please click here.
Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final
Thursday, March 31 & Friday, April 1
5:30pm (8:30pm AEDST)
Western Australian Athletics Stadium
Athletics Australia – News
