Wolfgang Ritte ups M55 indoor vault WR to 4.51 (14-9 1/2)
A week after competing at the National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Wolfgang Ritte found a local German meet — and raised his own world indoor record in the M55 vault by 11 centimeters. He jumped 4.51 (14-9 1/2) to beat his listed WR of 4.40 (14-5 1/4) set at the Eurovets meet last year in Ancona, Italy. This news comes from several sources, including Annette and Robert Koop. Wolfie also holds the listed outdoor world record of 4.60 (15-1), set back in 2008. He’s now 57. Amazing.
Wolfie jumps during his world record competition Sunday.
Here’s a rough Google translation of the Koops’ post:
4.51m: “Aging Athlete” Wolfgang Ritte (M55) shines with a new indoor pole vault world record
So to speak, a very long warm-up ride is Wolfgang (‘1953, Wesel tv taken) at the weekend to pole vault on Sunday at the traditional meeting with SC 96 Alsfelder music of his own in the Indoor Championship 2009 in Ancona, Hall cracked a world record by 11 centimeters equal (better!), now standing at 4.51 meters.
Wolfie's clearance of world record 4.51.
Only the day before the 57-year-old was flown from the U.S., where he was invited by UCS CEO Steve Chappell and sponsored by Heinz Peters (Europe Representative UCS Spirit) in the pole vault world’s largest meeting in Reno (Nevada, was launched photo lks), but not all his power could get. The jet lag did give him unexpectedly, it was said from his surroundings.
On Sunday, after the long flight from California that was near Giessen in Hessen Alsfeld quite different, also the three-hour journey and two hours waiting for official competition of the women could not hurt him. Wolfgng leaped like loose riding a long time. At first he tried to jump 4.02 m and 4.22 m in the new world record height of 4.42 meters. In the second experiment, although the bar wobbled, but remained lying. Then, let alone in the race Wolfgang rides impose 4.51m.
“Everything was a perfect fit, so that this time the bar lay wobble – but without -.” The IAAF 2008 Masters victory so with a new M55-WR-height of 4.51 meters in the race of men, in the women’s competition won wife Ute Rides (* 1952, Wesel TV) with 2.62 m (SB), place 3
Wolfgang rides also thanked, on behalf of his wife when Makers Jörg Schuessler “again very much for the great contest and the great atmosphere. It has made us great fun and we will certainly – if we stay healthy – not the last time was in Alsfeld to be. ” And he asked afterward about the winner’s certificate, for: “Normally I do not run any instrument, but a certificate with 4.51 meters on it is for an aging athlete something special!”
Meanwhile, the old and new M55 world record holder, wife Ute and M30-Springer Thomas rides are facing a whole new challenge. You still want to jump in Sindelfingen near the German Indoor Championships next weekend with the staff – only the Weseler TV has not reported it. But it will certainly give a solution.
8 Responses
Fantastic for him!! I had a super time with him in Reno. He’s the kind of guy you really enjoy watching succeed.
Again, congratulations Wolfgang! You are remarkable! I’m very happy for your success.
– John
Hello Bubba,
Hi John,
Thanks for your congratulations and your kind words. Ute and I have spent a great time in Reno and met many friends.
Ordered all greetings
Wolfgang
Pole: 460 / Flex: 15.1
Woflgang, please send me your email address so we can stay in touch. polevaulter@msn.com is mine. Great job and keep jumping high!! You made a lot of new friends and fans in the USA!! Bubba
Google did not do too well on this one, Ken. When competing in Reno, Wolfgang was jet-lagged, obviously. According to science (and personal experience), the effects of multiple time zone traveling are the worst on the third day after arrival. And even worse for less frequent fliers. Of course, this also explains the normally unbelievable fact that Wolfgang excelled one day after the long trip over the pond. The three hour drive to the venue and the two hour wait for the competition might have been a good thing, too. After all, his internal clock was set on UTC/GMT -8 hours or Pacific Standard Time or – 9 hours for Wolfgang in Germany. Still, Wolfgang Ritte did extremely well in Reno and beat gravity after his return to Germany. Congratulations und alles Gute fuer 2010. (For all your time zone traveling athletes out there, plan your trip carefully. You spend too much money to compete with the handicap of a debilitating jet lag!)
Wolfgang is an incredible and absolutely complete athlete. Not only he excels in pole vaulting, he excels also in long jump and in hurdles – and he excels also in cordiality. I wish to see him one (two) day(s) in a decathlon. But maybe he loves the pole vault to much…
Anyway, for them who loves T&F, it’s always pleasant to watch him in a competition.
Wolfgang is a genuinely nice guy and also a great hurdler! I enjoyed tipping a beer with him after the hurdle finals in Clermont-Ferrand. Kudo’s to a fine athlete.
Congratulations Wolfgang.
Just reading the news of your record from Bill.
I’m one of the team member from Hong Kong and we met you and your beautiful wife and daugther in Finland
last year.
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