Vertigo (Gladiators)
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Vertigo is an event played in several incarnations of the television series Gladiators. In this event, a contender and Gladiator race across separate courses of tall swaying poles spread across the arena floor. The winner is the first to complete the course.
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[edit] Rules
One Gladiator faces one contender, and on the whistle must race up the first pole using the climbing struts attached. Both participants are attached to safety harnesses to prevent injury from falling. Upon reaching the top, they must stand upright and sway their pole in order to cross over to the next pole. Upon reaching the last pole, the participant must sway their pole in order to group a hoop hanging from the ceiling. The first participant to grab the hoop wins, eding the game. 10 points are awarded for a contender win.
If a participant falls off, then they forfeit the event. There is no time limit to the event.
[edit] The backswing rule
A contentious issue with Vertigo is the 'backswing rule' in which both participants must swing their pole back before moving onto the next pole rather than instantly leaning towards the next pole. By not back swinging, the participant has an unfair advantage over their opponent in that it takes them half the time to complete the course.
Referees have been haphazard in disqualifying participants for not swinging back. During the UK run, a Gladiator was disqualified for not swinging their pole back, yet in other episodes, contenders had been shown to not swing their pole back (thus winning the event) and not face disqualification.
In Australia, a contender was seen to not back swing, even though the commentator had previously mentioned the back swing rule.
In America, Gladiator Pheonix was seen completing the event without a backswing yet not be disqualified. Whether the back swing rules is present in America has yet to be identified.
[edit] International differences
In the UK and Australia, the course consists of five poles, whereas in America there are seven poles. Although, all countries used the 10 points for a contender win score format, each country had other scoring formats should a contender not win. In the UK, losing contenders would receive 1 point for each pole completed. In America, losing contenders would receive 5 points should they get on or past the fifth pole on the course by the the time the Gladiator wins. In Australia no points are awarded unless the contender wins.
[edit] Event History
[edit] America
Years active: 2008(ii)-
Vertigo made it's American debut in the second series of 2008 revival, the second event which had been imported from the UK for the revival.
[edit] UK
Years active: 1998
Vertigo appeared in the final full series of the original run, becoming one of the more prominent events for that series. A contender win this event was marked by the song 'See you later Gladiator' whilst a Gladiator win was marked by the music 'You ain't seen nothing yet' by Bus Stop featuring Randy Bachman.
The event theme for Vertigo was changed for unexplained reasons upon the events third televised outing to the event theme previously used for Pursuit. By this point in the shows run, Pursuit had been axed from the events roster.
Vertigo will not be returning for the first series of the 2008 revival.
[edit] Australia
Years active: 2008-
Vertigo debuted in first series of the 2008 revival, being one of three new games for the Australian competition.
