Audi 2013 Annual Report Download - page 131

/LIGHTER MEANS FASTER MEANS HIGHER
Chauncey Johnson describes how not just the material, but
above all the athlete’s dynamism and jumping technique are
the key to those vital few centimeters. Holzdeppe has been
working with him in Munich for a little over a year. He talks
of body weight, vectors and acceleration, C and I positions, and
the importance of “using your momentum.” What he means is :
“If you can load plenty
of energy onto your pole
through a high approach
speed, you’ll jump higher.”
And Raphael Holzdeppe is fast. His average speed is 9.9 meters
per second ; that is equivalent to 36 kilometers per hour and
makes him the fastest athlete on the international pole vault
scene. Then there is Holzdeppe’s streak of perfectionism – time
and time again he works with Johnson to hone his jumping
technique. For each jump, he performs up to 28 dierent indi-
vidual movements within less than two seconds, meaning they
all have to be executed instinctively. Johnson regards the
pole vault as a test of courage where you can only succeed on
“autopilot.” Holzdeppe agrees : “In competition, it’s 95 percent
in the mind. You won’t succeed if you don’t have a clear head.”
/A HERO WITH NO AIRS AND GRACES
In Aachen, Holzdeppe is an accessible hero. He patiently signs
autographs and poses with the mascot of the cult event where
the participants jump to music blasted out by a DJ, right in the
heart of the city between the Cathedral and the City Hall.
He relishes his new-found popularity. But remains approachable
throughout and is careful not to steal the limelight. When we
ask him about his goals for next year his eyes light up with ambi-
tion. His personal best is 5.91 meters. The dream height for
all pole vaulters is 6.00 meters. Holzdeppe declares confi-
dently : “I know I can jump 6.00 meters. That’s right at the top
of my targets for 2014.”
At the end of our conversation, Holzdeppe falls silent when we
ask a personal question. We are curious to know more about
his tattoos. A tattoo on his right upper arm shows a pole vault-
er in silhouette. Since his first Olympic appearance in 2008 in
Beijing, an Olympic flag has adorned his left arm. What
motif is he planning next to celebrate the biggest achievement
of his career ? He smiles to himself, looks briefly up to the sky –
and gives nothing away. Our suggestion : 6.00 meters.
Watch the World
Championship jump.
The pole vault final at the World Championships in Moscow was one of the most exciting
ever. While Holzdeppe cleared the bar at 5.89 meters at his first attempt, his French challenger
Renaud Lavillenie aimed for 5.96 meters but brought the bar down three times.
PL AY HIGH
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