words Gary Baker pictures Steve Pope
CRANE'S LIFT
high jump
and not being able to jump the height meant I did not get the medal I could have had.
"And then I got injured on the plane coming back."
Her biggest domestic opposition in Delhi could come from Birchfi eld Harriers Under-23 duo Jessica Leach and Vikki Hubbard but the both of them have personal bests below that of Crane.
Internationally, Smit will be out to retain her Commonwealth gold, while Australians Petrina Price and Ellen Pettitt are fl ying in 2009.
Ennis may not go in the individual high jump as, if she goes in any individual event outside the heptathlon, it is sure to be a sprint, either on the fl at or over hurdles.
Crane has high regard for the youngster who has grabbed her global chance with both hands. "She is a fantastic athlete and is pushing athletes across all the disciplines of her competition.
"But I don't think the bar (in British high jumping) has really moved any higher
in the last few years since I have been struggling with injuries.
"The standard has not really moved and there is defi nitely room for improvement. I'm pleased that people do improve it slightly because it means I have to raise my game.
"In Melbourne last time, there were fi ve girls who jumped 1.90m, I knew it would be a real competition and that I had to put a series of jumps together to go at a good height.
"I think it will be the same in Delhi because I don't think the standard across the board globally will have moved on massively.
"We have Blanka Vlasic (Croatia) jumping big heights as she did to win the World Championships but there are not that many girls going over two metres If I can get competitive around 1.90m, I will have a chance in Delhi, I think."
The Indian city, however, presents a different prospect in terms of heat and humidity compared to Melbourne.
"I think it will be a completely different experience," added Crane. "The Closing Ceremony in the 'hand-over' section in Melbourne gave you a sense of how massive going to Delhi will be.
"It will be about going there early to acclimatise which we will have to do. When we were in Kuala Lumpur (1998 Commonwealth Games), Wales was one of the earliest teams to arrive and, by the time the Games started, we were used to the conditions.
"We had high hopes of medals in 2006. This time, I would be surprised if Rhys Williams does not get a medal in the 400m hurdles. He is over his injury problems and was at the World Championships."
Crane crams training in with her career in sales development with Virgin Media and said it is similar to athletics.
"I really enjoy the challenge of trying to fi t it all in as there is a lot of travelling involved in my job and it is quite complex," added the Sale Harrier.
Gold next year would make it all worthwhile, though.
issue11twothousand&ten
sportingwales
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