Christa Bortignon pulls off triple double — WRs in LJ and TJ 3 times

Christa and her TJ WR. Photo by Attilio Bortignon

World Female Athlete of the Year (2013) Christa Bortignon of Vancouver, British Columbia, has made up for what she calls her “terrible 2016 season,” which included pneumonia and a hip issue. In three weeks — March 11 to April 2 — she competed in three meets and 17 events, including Daegu worlds. She won 17 golds and set world records in the W80 long and triple jumps in every meet. “Now I will take a break,” Christa tells me. That gives us time to catch up with her latest WRs — at the BC masters indoor championships over the weekend in Kamloops. (See results here.) There she extended her LJ jump WR to 3.28 meters (10-9) and TJ WR to 7.42 (24-4 1/4). Just for giggles, she tossed a Canadian record in the shot of 6.76 (22-2 1/4). (For all of that, she was named Canadian Masters Athlete of the Month.) I wrote Christa for details. She graciously replied.

Christa writes:

After my terrible 2016 season, pneumonia and a right hip problem, I took a long break and then just had fun at two senior games — Nevada and the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah.

After Xmas, I trained regularly with the Greyhounds at a 2-lane facility with Harold (Morioka), but no jumps. I am getting a lot of advice and moral support from Alan Kolling, Irene Obera’s coach, whom I met in Lyon. The jumping facilities in Daegu were great. I really liked the raised runway in Stadium B.

Since I had not jumped since October, I was using our Canadian Masters Championships in Toronto as a warmup for the jumps. My speed is pretty good. And I have a consistent run-up of 18.8 (61-8 1/4). Also a very nice man from NZ, James Blair, whom I met on Toronto last year, has given me some great tips on the jumps.

My main goal is to stay injury free. Irene has set some very high standards for the W80. I hope to do well in the jumps, and maybe the multi events.

Might go to the Hayward Classic and the Stendal Hanse Cup in Germany if my training goes well, maybe Baton Rouge (USATF masters nationals) and to the Canadian Outdoor Championship in Toronto in August for sure. They have an absolutely beautiful new stadium where the 2020 WMA championships will be held.

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April 3, 2017

6 Responses

  1. Rob Jerome - April 4, 2017

    Congratulations to a great lady and a true champion, who just keeps getting better and better. A pleasure to photograph her in Daegu.

  2. Lorraine Tucker - April 4, 2017

    Congratulations Crista,
    Great to see you back in Championship form.
    I’ll definitely have to live over 100 to match you. Regards to you and hubby .

  3. Louise Guardino - April 4, 2017

    Imagine if Christa Bortignon and Irene Obera had started their careers in their 20s! Amazing now. Possibly earth shattering then. (also showing the rest of us that these things are possible)

  4. Weia Reinboud - April 4, 2017

    Great Christa!

  5. Milan Tiff - April 6, 2017

    Smoothes triple jump I’ve seen in a long time; scholastic, collage, national, Olympic, masters.

  6. Ken Stone - April 8, 2017

    Newspaper profile where we learn Christa has two great grandchildren:
    http://www.nsnews.com/sports/80-years-old-and-still-soaring-1.14564944

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