Watch Ingemar Stenmark’s three-meter jump in the player above.
Ingemar Stenmark came to the veteran WC in Gothenburg with humble expectations.
– I only went here because the WC was in Sweden and just to experience the atmosphere.
Stenmark entered the men’s 65 competition at a height of 2.70 meters, which he passed on the first attempt.
When the bar was raised to 2.85, “Stenis” offered the audience drama. After two demolitions, the skiing legend was under pressure to continue in the competition.
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Ingemar Stenmark talks about the talks with Armand Duplantis Photo: SVT
To great cheers, he passed in the last attempt – and he appreciated the support in the stands.
– Absolutely fantastic, there were a few flashbacks, with the nervousness too.
Then he also got over 3.00 on the second attempt – a paltry two centimeters from his personal best.
Once up at 3.15 there were three demolitions and Stenmark finished tenth. He was the third best Swede in the competition after Pär Ulander and Jan Johansson. The American Wendell Beck won, who managed 3.70 meters.
– I pole vault mostly for training, some play padel, I pole vault, it’s the same.
During the season, Stenmark competed in three competitions and constantly raised his personal best from 2.70 to 3.02. But the jumper is self-critical.
– I jump higher but not well. That’s the fun of pole vaulting, it’s a complicated sport and you can always improve something.
