Clinton Hill (AUS) (© Getty Images)
An impressive win by Australian Clinton Hill in the 400 and solid outings by local athletes highlighted the ninth Minerfest EAA Meeting, Slovenia’s premiere annual athletics event, in the athletics-crazed northern city of Velenje, last night.
Coinciding with the nation’s Independence Day and despite the threatening skies and chilly conditions, a capacity crowd filled Velenje’s intimate municipal stadium, set beautifully among rolling hills, lush valleys and thick forests at the city’s northwestern edge.
Hill - Impressive finishing surge to win
Third off the final bend, Hill, who ran a PB 45.29 last year, first passed Slovenian national record holder Matija Sestak with 50 metres to go, then reeled in his fading compatriot Patrick Dwyer to win in 45.68. Sestak (46.44) held off Dwyer (46.45) for second by the narrowest of margins.
“Judging how I started last year,” the 24-year-old South African-born Hill said, “I’m almost a half second faster, and I finished up running 45.2. So if that’s an indication, this season should be a good one for me.” After starts in the Osaka and Doha meetings last month during a heavy training period, Hill was pleased with his effort.
“It’s a solid start, one that I’m pleased with. I never felt like I wasn’t in control. I wanted to come in and run a smooth race, which is what I did.” Hill believes it’s just a matter of time before he once again ventures back into sub-45 second territory. “Once you get in the 44.6 or 44.8 range, you’re looking at an Olympic final. And once you’re there, you never know what can happen.”
Grigorieva left still searching for Athens mark
Another Australian, 2000 Olympic women's Pole Vault silver medallist Tatiana Grigorieva came to Velenje in search of an Athens qualifier, but couldn’t manage better than her second attempt 4.00 winning clearance. But Grigorieva said the effort was not indicative of her early-season condition.
I’m feeling really, really good, that’s the frustrating thing,” Grigorieva said, explaining that she’s still adjusting to a recent switch to longer 4.60m poles from her previous 4.45m versions. “My opening heights are very, very good, but at my next heights, when I’m changing poles, I’m having a bit of a problem. I feel good technically and physically, so I just need good conditions as far as the weather to put everything together.”
The 28-year-old Russian-born Australian has until her federation’s July 5 deadline to negotiate the 4.40 Olympic ‘A’ standard; she has two dates remaining on her schedule in which to do so. She’ll compete on Sunday at the Gateshead Super Grand Prix and again in San Sebastian on July 3.
Local Olympic squad on show
Besides two athletes - Brigita Langerholc, who finished fourth in the 800 in Sydney and sprint legend Merlene Ottey, who opted not to compete due to the chilly conditions - the annual meet was one of just few domestic fixtures where Slovenians could see their prospective Olympic squad in action, and several delighted the crowd with convincing wins.
Two days after equalling her national record in the 200 (22.76) in Crete, Alenka Bikar was the easy winner in the short dash, clocking 11.32, despite a cautious reaction after an initial false start. Primoz Kozmus, fifth at the World Championships last year, turned in a convincing win in the hammer with a 75.50 effort, besting Slovak Miloslav Konopka’s 74.15. With a solo effort in the 200, Budapest 60m finalist Matic Osovnikar lowered his PB to 20.72. Elsewhere, Mikulas Konopka of Slovakia settled things quickly in the shot put with an opening round toss of 20.34, winning easily over Athens-bound Slovene Miro Vodovnik (19.85).
Ceplak provides conclusion
In a farewell of sorts, the meet concluded with hometown heroine Jolanda Ceplak, the World Indoor record holder in the 800, competing in a largely ceremonial 400 metres race against teens from her former club. Ceplak will race again in her specialty on Sunday in Gateshead and on Friday in Rome’s Golden Gala.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
Select Results:
Men
100m:
1. Dejan Vojnovic, CRO, 10.58
2. Matt Shirvington, AUS, 10.60
...
200m:
1. Matic Osovnikar, SLO, 20.72 PB
...
400m:
1. Clinton Hill, AUS, 45.68
2. Matija Sestak, SLO, 46.44
3. Patrick Dwyer, AUS, 46.45
...
1500m:
1. Alistair Stevenson, AUS, 3:47.13
...
110mH:
1. William Enese, NGR, 14.01
...
High Jump:
1. Rozle Prezelj, SLO, 2.20
2. Branko Duricic, SCG, 2.20
...
Pole Vault:
1. Jure Rovan, SLO, 5.40
…
Shot Put:
1. Mikulas Konopka, SVK, 20.34
2. Miro Vodovnik, SLO, 19.85
...
Discus:
1. Jaroslav Zitnansky, SVK, 61.72
2. Dragan Mustapic, CRO, 59.14
...
Hammer:
1. Primoz Kozmus, 75.50
2. Miloslav Konopka, SVK, 74.15
...
Women
100m:
1. Alenka Bikar, SLO, 11.33
2. Betina Muller, AUT, 11.41
...
800m:
1. Kitty Cziraky, HUN, 2:09.47
...
100mH:
1. Radmila Vukmirovic, SLO, 13.27 PB
...
Pole Vault:
1. Tatiana Grigorieva, AUS, 4.00
...
Long Jump:
1. Snezana Vukmirovic, SLO, 6.24
...
Hammer –
1. Eva Orban, HUN, 61.42
2. Monika Kravolenska, SVK, 59.64
...
