European Cup Winter Throwing, Sofia, Bulgaria, 19-20 March

There is a lot of British interest in the European Cup Winter Throwing in Sofia as several of the top domestic throwers are out to measure their preparations at this particular stage of the season just before they turn into the pre-season phase of their training.

In particular, Brett Morse, who flung a new UK indoor best of 60.99m in Sweden last weekend, will be looking for a solid follow-up to bolster up a good start to the season, having heard that he's been looking very promising in training. A mark somewhere around his PB shouldn't be ruled out despite the early of the meeting and he's actually down for both the senior and U23 competitions.

British Competitors
Men
DT Brett Morse, Chris Scott
HT Alex Smith, Mark Dry
JT James Campbell, Dan Pembroke (U23)

Women
SP Eden Francis
DT Eden Francis (U23), Jade Nicholls

Entry Lists:
http://www.european-athletics.org/files/ecwt/finalentry_ecwt11_media.xls

Results:
http://www.sofia2011.org/

Brett Morse has finished second in the U23 discus competition with a best of 59.50m slightly behind comeback wonderboy Mykyta Nesterenko of Ukraine, turning 20 next month, who threw 59.71m for first.

In the senior's B pool, Chris Scott was third with 55.76m.

Commonwealth silver medallist Alex Smith was third at a narrow SB of 68.58m in the men's B competition of the hammer, with Mark Dry staying a lot lower at 63.99m for sixth.

The performance of the first day in Sofia definitely goes to Krisztian Pars, Hungary, in the form of a sound early season 79.84m in the men's hammer to go second in the year's global lists behind Russian Aleksey Zagorniy (79.99).

World U20 hammer champion Sophie Hitchon has come arguably the best British competitor out of the competition with a season opener of 64.16m in her fifth and out of her only two valid efforts, her other a fourth-round 63.10. Seeing that her season opener was a 63.98m in mid May last year, that has to augur well for an attack towards the high 60s at least come summer.

Of the other British competitors today, James Campbell moved within close distance of his SB with a 72.67m for tenth in the javelin, in the same competition that Sirmais Ziglsmunds (LAT) set a new U20 world record, whereas Jade Nicholls suffered a low flight at just 46.42m in the women's discus, having registered only two valid efforts on top.

U23 now Dan Pembroke missed 70m narrowly with a second-round 69.92m.

Sirmais Ziglsmunds (aged 18) a world record of over 84m, with two others around the 80m mark bodes well for international javelin lovers this coming season!

However, the best event of the weekend in terms of competition was arguably the women's hammer where Tatyana Lysenko (RUS) got the better of former world champion Betty Heidler (GER) with a winning mark of 73.80, with two more efforts over 73m, to the latter's 72.71m best on the day.

Three more athletes went over 70m in this one for a good appetizer in view of the outdoor season.

Thank you Isabre for your fact filled articles and comments. It is one of the reasons why it is worthwhile joining this forum.

You're very welcome Nore!

Am I the only one to feel slightly disappointed with the GB results? Long way to come for not much of a return. I know we are pretty weak in these kind of events but apart from Hinchon I didn't read much to cheer.

Sophie Hitchon is definitely one to watch out for, Teassoc, especially with a view to the Olympics next season. But keep an eye on Brett Morse in the discus, and Matti Mortimore in the javelin. And, of course, there are the likes of Goldie Sayers and Laura Whittingham in the women's javelin.

But all in good time. Let's not forget that this competition is a mere break from winter's training and there's much that hasn't been polished about those throwers yet.

Here are some post-competition interviews with some of the main performers in Sofia:

https://www.youtube.com/europeanathletics

Ten good reasons why you should be 'tuned' to the men's hammer this season:

http://www.mbingisser.com/2011/03/10-reasons-to-watch-the-hammer-in-2011/