Reigning world champion Jana Pittman-Rawlinson has breezed through her first race in more than 12 months, winning the 400m hurdles in convincing fashion in Malaga, Spain overnight.
Showing no signs of the ankle injury which delayed her comeback race, the 26-year-old clocked 55.67 in extremely windy conditions, defeating current European leader Anastasiya Rabchenyuk (56.72) of the Ukraine and Janet Wienand (57.71) of South Africa.
Despite her relatively slow time in “the strongest winds I’ve ever raced in”, a relieved Pittman-Rawlinson was happy with her “solid” performance and to have her first race and first win out of the way.
“Today was a good start. I’ve just got to get some speed endurance in my legs because I’m just not quick enough.
“I didn’t die at all today but I just didn’t run as quick as I would have hoped.
“I really did think that she (Rabchenyuk – who came fourth at the Beijing Olympics) would give me a run for my money. I didn’t know what time I’d run and considering she’s run middle 54’s for the last couple of races, I thought if I make an error here I’m going to lose.
“So to come off with a win I’m never going to be disappointed with that.”
Pittman-Rawlinson hasn't raced for 12 months, with toe surgery complications early last year forcing her to pull the pin on the Beijing Olympics and the recent Australian domestic season.
The dual world champion admitted the nerves surfaced in the final 24 hours leading up to her comeback race.
“I was really, really nervous. The most nervous I’ve been in a long time. It was the first race I’ve ever done on my own. I don’t get nervous when I’m not passionate, and obviously my passion’s back.”
Six weeks out from the world championships, Pittman-Rawlinson remains confident that she will be on the start line for August’s world championships in Berlin. Although happy with her progress, Pittman-Rawlinson knows she still has some work to do.
“I’m in as good a position as I have been in the past. I’ve just got to wait and see.
“If it was a perfect race, then I wouldn’t be particularly pleased with 55 and a half but I’ve got a second in there because of the conditions and I’ve another second up my sleeve to work on over the next few weeks.
“It’s about the same time I ran in my first race back in 2007. I’ve got work to do, I know that, but I’ve got no injuries therefore I think the next race will easily be a 54 and hopefully by Monaco I’ll be down to the 53’s.
Pittman-Rawlinson will next race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix meet in Lausanne, Switzerland on July 7.
At the same meet in Malaga, Beijing Olympian Lachlan Renshaw placed sixth in the 800m against a quality international field. The 22-year-old led from the outset and looked set to post a very quick time, but had it tough coming home into the 4.0m/s headwinds, crossing the line in 1:48.73.
In other results over the weekend:
Competing in horrific weather conditions, a jet jagged Tamsyn Lewis made her European season debut over the 400m hurdles on Friday night in Bottrop, Germany, finishing fourth in 58.19.
