The world list was dominated by American jumpers, headed by the
evergreen Dave Albritton, US Trials winner Vern McGrew, and runner-
up Stanich, all at 2.038. All told, 14 of the top 15 in 1948 were US
jumpers, the sole interloper being John Winter, who jumped 2.01 in
February, and 2.03 in an exhibition just before leaving for Europe. The
qualifying height was too low at 1.87, and so there were 20 finalists.
The take-off area was soft for the western rollers, but Winter – a scis-
sors jumper – took off at a different poin, which according to US coach
Dean Cromwell, was firmer. The first surprise came when McGrew had
difficulty with 1.87 and then failed at 1.90. Alan Paterson, the best non-
American of 1947, failed at 1.95, and when the bar was raised to 1.98
only five men were left, with Paulson, who had equalled his lifetime
best, leading with a first time clearance of 1.95. Winter, one of the two
scissors jumpers (Damitio was the other) cleared 1.98 first time, injur-
ing his back in doing so. Fortunately for him, no-one else could get
over that height. Winter remains the last man to win a global title using
the eastern cut-off style.
AUS
NOR
USA
FRA
CAN
GBR
SUI
CHI
SWE
URU
SIN
FIN
IND
AUT
PUR
GRE
