GB Athletes progress at the European Indoor Championships Paris
The second morning of competition at the European Indoor Championships in Paris delivered five qualifications for the Aviva GB&NI team, four of which came from the 60m entries and one from Captain Clitheroe in the 3000m.
Both British 60m girls progressed to the next stage of competition in relatively modest times compared to their seasons best performances from the Aviva Series. Jodie Williams (coach: Mike McFarlane) finished third in heat three with 7.31, not a patch on the 7.24 displayed at the Aviva Trials and UK Championships in Sheffield. While, Bernice Wilson (coach: George Skafidas) finished second in her heat in 7.30 and also saved some for the semi-final this afternoon. She has gone as fast as 7.25 set this indoor season.
Team captain Helen Clitheroe (Coach: John Nuttall) continued her second lease of athletics life in the 3000m qualification. Taking on the front running after two laps, she ran a well paced and convincing race, creating a gap between herself, Layes Abdullayeva (AZE) and the rest of the pack. On the final straight she let Abdullayeva go ahead and reduced her pace, confident of qualification in second with 9:01.45.
Junior Holly Bleasdale (coach: Julien Raffalli-Ebezant) proved she is ready to jump against the best in Europe as she put out a gutsy qualification performance in the pole vault. Coming in at 4.15m she then cleared 4.35m with room to spare before failing once at 4.45m. Jumping to equal her personal best of 4.50m, which was only set this indoor season, was slightly out of reach and her competition ended there.
"I just felt blocked at 4.45m, I put myself under too much pressure but when I got it I was so excited. At 4.50m again I felt the block and couldn't get passed that. It's great being with the team, to come out against top girls is a great experience.
"There was a great standard I would have had to clear 4.55m to make the final which is 5cm better than my personal best. I want to jump 4.45m and 4.50m consistently."
For results and competition information visit: http://www.paris-2011.com/
Coverage:
Saturday 5 March 1300-1630, BBC One; 1630-1700, BBC Two
Sunday 6 March 1300-1730, BBC One; 1400-1645 5 live sports extra
