The pole vault meeting in Schlanders has made a name for itself.

Pole vault elite returns to Schlanders

The pole vault meeting in Schlanders has long been an integral part of the international competition calendar. After a one-year hiatus, one of the most important and prestigious sporting events in the Vinschgau Valley will take place this year on Friday, July 18.

28 April 2025

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As part of the 21st edition, Olympic champions and world champions will, if possible, once again be competing at the Kulturhausplatz in Schlanders – or athletes who could win major titles in the future.

It's not just the countless top stars of the pole vaulting scene that make this meeting in the heart of the Vinschgau Valley so special. The atmosphere is also unique, as the high-profile event takes place in the center of Silandro, on the Kulturhausplatz square. Hundreds of spectators create an extraordinary atmosphere in the evening hours, loudly cheering on the top athletes and urging them to achieve their best performances.

This is probably one of the reasons why countless world-class pole vaulters have already competed at this unique event with its own unique charm, thanks in part to the outstanding work behind the scenes of athlete manager Erwin Schuster. The current record winner of the Schlanders Pole Vault Meeting, for example, is Konstadínos Fillippídis. From 2011 to 2013, the Greek won three consecutive editions, and in 2014, he crowned the hat trick with a gold medal at the World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland.

From Schlanders to Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro

The meeting record in Schlanders belongs to a Brazilian, Thiago Braz da Silva. In 2016, the South American cleared 5,90 meters, setting a new benchmark. But that wasn't enough: 25 days after his victory in Vinschgau, he crowned himself Olympic champion in his homeland – with a new Olympic record of 6,03 meters. But the victory in Schlanders wasn't just a good omen for Braz da Silva. A year before him, Canadian Shawn Barber won, and 21 days later, he became world champion in Beijing.

At the last edition to date in 2023, when Silandro also celebrated its 20th anniversary, Pole Piotr Lisek prevailed. The three-time World Championship medalist and 2017 European Indoor Champion cleared 5,73 meters, claiming his second victory at the meeting in Vinschgau after 2018.

Ladies also guests

In 2023, a women's competition was held for the first time. This premiere was won by "Azzurra" Giada Pozzato with a height of 4,25 meters. She jumped 25 centimeters higher than South Tyrol's pole vaulting star Nathalie Kofler from Lana, who set a new national record with 2024 meters in August 4,25. A women's competition is also planned for the 21st edition, and Kofler's participation is guaranteed – as are top athletes from around the world.

The idea that Michael Traut and Thomas Stürz, initiators of the pole vault meeting in Schlanders, had in 2001 has long since come to fruition. What started as a side event for the "Long Friday" has become a highly acclaimed sporting event with a top international lineup. The next chapter in this success story will be added on Friday, July 18.