Wolfgang Ritte becomes oldest man to clear 14 feet

Remember Seagren vs. Nordwig? Kingstad vs. Ritte is the latest U.S-German vault rivalry. After opening at 4.10 (13-5 1/4), Germany’s Wolfgang Ritte went straight to an M55 world indoor vault record of 4.30 (14-1 1/4) Saturday and made it on the first try, according to the Koops’ Web site. A video shows the clearance. The jump came in the North Rhine Championships. (Results are here.) He also took three shots a 4.40 (14-5 1/4), but he still becomes the oldest man to clear 14 feet, beating American Jeff Kingstad to the mark after beating Jeff’s 4.21 record. The M55 outdoor record is lower: 4.26 (13-11 3/4) by Sweden’s Hans Lagerqvist. “I hope the world record continues to improve,” Wolfgang is quoted as saying. Your turn, Jeff.