Vertigo

**Vertigo** was 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.

## 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, ending 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. A contentious issue with Vertigo is the 'back swing 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 British 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 Phoenix was seen completing the event without a back swing and was not disqualified. Whether the back swing rule is present in America is currently unknown. A back swing onto the hoop at the end is not needed, with participants being allowed to lean towards it as soon as they are on the final pole.

## International differences

In Britain 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 Britain, 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 time the Gladiator wins. In Australia no points are awarded unless the contender wins.

## Event History

### America

* Years active: 2009

Vertigo made its American debut in the second series of 2008 revival, the second event which had been imported from Britain for the revival. The American version of Vertigo uses seven poles instead of five, and losing contenders earn five points if they pass the fifth pole but subsequently lose to the Gladiator.

### United Kingdom

* 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', to the tune of See You Later Alligator, 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 did not return for the 2008 revival.

### Australia

* Years active: 2008

Vertigo debuted in the 2008 revival, being one of three new games for the Australian competition. The other events brought into debut are Pendulum and Sumo Ball. Female gladiator Olympia has always played in the event since its introduction and always won. Male gladiator Scar has always played in the event since its introduction. This is the only event in Australia where Gladiators are unable to do any physical contact, whether by using an object or grabbing them, to prevent challengers from scoring. The only way Gladiators can prevent challengers from scoring is by winning the race.