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SKI JUMPING: Ski Flying season takes off in Obertsdorf!

By
Rich Perelman
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Slovenia's Timi Zajc (Photo: FIS)

Your typical hill for most men’s World Cup ski jumping competitions is 130-150 meters, certainly a challenge. But this week’s jumping will be off the big hill – 235 m! – in Obertsdorf (GER). This isn’t ski jumping, this is ski-flying … and at night!

Originally scheduled for two events, a third competition was added to make up for the loss of the large-hill event in Titisee-Neustadt (GER) from 9 December. And Friday’s competition introduced a new World Cup winner in Timi Zajc, 18, from Slovenia.

Zajc earned his first-ever World Cup medal in Sapporo last week, but was only sixth after the first jump in Obertsdorf, reaching 220 m. But his second try was a beaut, all the way out to 233.5 m and earning 222.6 points, the best in the second round. That gave him a 430.1-424.8 win over Poland’s Dawid Kubacki, with Germany’s Markus Eisenbichler third.

Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi finished seventh, but still has an imposing 1,251-821 lead over Stefan Kraft (AUT), with Kamil Stoch (POL) still third at 789. There will be two more days of ski-flying; Stoch and Kubacki were 1-3 last season at Obertsdorf, but that was off the 137 m hill.

NBC’s Olympic Channel has delayed coverage of the ski-flying events: tonight at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, then on Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern and Sunday at 4 p.m. Eastern time. Look for results here. Summaries from Friday:

FIS Ski Jumping World Cup
Obertsdorf (GER) ~ 1-3 February 2019
(Full results here)

235 m hill I: 1. Timi Zajc (SLO), 430.1; 2. Dawid Kubacki (POL), 424.8; 3. Markus Eisenbichler (GER), 423.3; 4. Piotr Zyla (POL), 421.8; 5. Kamil Stoch (POL), 420.5.

The women’s jumping this week in staying in Europe, in Hinzenbach (AUT) off a 90 m hill. It will be the first jumping for women there in two years since last year’s event was cancelled due to weather.

In early 2017, it was Japan’s Sara Takanashi who was dominant, winning both jumps. She was followed by Katharina Althaus and Carina Vogt for silvers and Vogt and Norway’s Maren Lundby for bronzes.

Now it’s Lundby, the defending World Cup champ from 2017-18, who is back atop the World Cup standings once again after three wins in a row and four out of five. She has 788 points to 747 for Althaus and then 511 for Juliane Seyfarth (GER).

Lundby led the qualifying on Friday at 88.0 m and 114.4 points; look for results here.

FOOTBALL: Youthful U.S. men’s National Team hosts Costa Rica in San Jose

By
Rich Perelman
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Gregg Berhalter and the U.S. celebrate a 3-0 win over Panama (Photo: U.S. Soccer)

The second game of the Gregg Berhalter Era for the U.S. men’s National Team comes on Saturday at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California against a much better foe (maybe): Costa Rica.

The American youngsters – five debuted in the starting line-up against Panama and two more came in as substitutes – won 3-0 on 27 January, but Costa Rica is a different story. In the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, Costa Rica defeated the U.S. by 4-0 and 2-0 scores; the inability of the U.S. to make it to the 2018 World Cup ended the U.S. coaching careers of Jurgen Klinsmann and Bruce Arena.

The last U.S. win vs. Costa Rica came on 7 June 2016, with a 4-0 whitewash in Chicago. This will be the 38th meeting between the teams, and Costa Rica has a 16-15-6 edge.

The U.S. got goals from Djordje Mihailovic, Walker Zimmerman and Christian Ramirez against Panama; those three players had a total of four U.S. appearance – all by Zimmerman – coming into the game.

Costa Rica also has a new coach in Gustavo Manotas and just a couple of players on the roster for Saturday played on the 2018 World Cup team. Eight of the 23 players on the Costa Rican roster have not yet played for the national team.

The game will be shown at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow on Fox, UniMas and UDN.

ATHLETICS Preview: U.S. Cross Country Champs back in Tallahassee on Saturday

By
Rich Perelman
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U.S. National Cross Country champ Leonard Korir

Two strong fields will line-up for the annual USATF Cross Country Championships, once again at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida. The senior men and women will compete over 10 km, with large fields entered.

This year’s Cross Country Nationals are especially important as the race will select the U.S. team for the World Cross Country Championships, coming 30 March in Aarhus (DEN). Some of the top entries:

Men:
● Leonard Korir ~ Two-time defending champion
● Garrett Heath ~ 2015 National Champion
● Stanley Kebenei ~ 2017 runner-up; third in 2018
● Shadrack Kipchirchir ~ Third in 2017
● Emmanuel Bor ~ Lifetime best 13:20.66 for 5,000 m in 2018
● Hillary Bor ~ 2016 Olympic Steeplechase seventh; 8:11.82 PR from 2017
● Donn Cabral ~ 2012 and 2016 Olympian in Steeplechase: 8th both times
● Eric Jenkins ~ 13:07.33 for 5,000 m and 27:48.02 for 10,000 m on the track
● Ben True ~ World Cross Country Champs: 6th in 2013

Women:
● Stephanie Bruce ~ World Cross Country Champs: 22nd in 2017
● Amy Cragg ~ 2017 World Championships Marathon bronze medalist
● Courtney Frerichs ~ Steeplechase American Record holder (9:02.58 ‘17)
● Shelby Houlihan ~ American 5,000 m record holder (14:34.45 ‘18)
● Molly Huddle ~ American 10,000 m record holder (30:13.17 ‘16)
● Shannon Rowbury ~ American 1,500 m record holder (3:56.29 ‘17)
● Karissa Schweizer ~ 2016 NCAA Cross Country Champion at Missouri
● Laura Thweatt ~ 2014 National Champion
● Aliphine Tuliamuk ~ 2017 National Champion

There is prize money for the top 10 placers: $4,000-2,500-1,500-1,250-1,000-900-750-650-550-400. There will also be a $1,750 bonus for the six athletes – men and women – chosen to represent the U.S. at the World Cross Country Championships.

Look for results here.

ATHLETICS Preview: Big names line up for Karlsruhe indoor meet on Saturday

By
Rich Perelman
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There is nothing like a sell-out to warm the heart of a meet director.

“The Indoor Meeting has never sold out before Christmas in its 35-year history, it’s phenomenal,” said Martin Wacker, the managing director for the Karlsruhe (GER) indoor meet coming tomorrow. Seating has been increased to 5,000 at the Messe Karlsruhe, with more than 150 athletes from 30-plus countries expected to attend. The projected highlights:

● Men’s High Jump:
The comeback of Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi, who lost his shot at the Rio Games in 2016 due to injury, is a really nice story and worth following. He set a national record at 2.39 m (7-10) in 2016 and was European Champion, but after the injury, he has made his way back up to 2.33 m (7-7 3/4) last year. This will be his debut for 2019, and he will be challenged by Andriy Protsenko (UKR: 2.40 m/7-10 1/2, fourth in Rio) and Donald Thomas of The Bahamas, who was World Champion back in 2007, but won the Continental Cup last season.

● Men’s Long Jump:
There are some good jumpers in this field, notably Swede Michel Torneus (8.44 m/27-8 1/4 in 2016), but all eyes will be on Cuba’s Juan Miguel Echevarria. He won the World Indoor title in 2018 and then set the track & field world on fire in June, reaching 8.83 m (28-11 3/4) with only the slightest wind-aid of 2.1 m/s. He then jumped 8.66 m (28-5) and 8.68 (28-5 3/4) in his next two meets, but didn’t jump after 5 July due to injury and he hasn’t been seen since.

What’s the world indoor record? It still belongs to Carl Lewis (USA) at 8.79 m (28-10 1/4) from way back in 1984!

● Women’s Pole Vault:
Greece’s Katerina Stefanidi, the 2016 Olympic and 2017 World Champion won at the Pole Vault Summit at Reno and was second at the New Balance Indoor Games in Roxbury and has cleared 4.74 m (15-6 1/2) already. The winner in Roxbury was American Katie Nageotte, with a world-leading 4.86 m (15-11 1/4) clearance. Look for a challenge from Russian Anzhelika Sidorova, who cleared 4.85 m (15-11) on 12 January.

● Women’s Triple Jump:
It’s early, but Venezuela’s Yolimar Rojas (2017 World Champion), Ukraine’s Olha Saladukha (2011 World Champion) and American Record holder Tori Franklin (14.84 m/48-8 1/4 in 2018) could produce something special.

There are some excellent women’s events, with two-time World 200 m Champion Dafne Schippers (NED) in the 60 m, Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay (2016 World Indoor 1,500 m bronze medalist) in the 3,000 m and local favorite and 2015 World Championships silver medalist Cindy Roleder in the 60 m Hurdles.

Look for results here.

THE BIG PICTURE: Court of Arbitration for Sport confirms 12 Russian track & field positives

By
Rich Perelman
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) came under enormous criticism after reversing 28 suspensions handed out by the International Olympic Committee’s Disciplinary Commission last year, mostly on grounds that actual evidence of tampering with samples had not been definitively shown.

But on Friday, CAS announced that it had confirmed 12 cases of doping in track & field, with evidence gathered from the work of Canadian law professor Richard McLaren and advanced by the Athletics Integrity Unit of the IAAF:

“Having studied the reports issued by Prof. McLaren, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), pursued allegations of anti-doping rule violations (‘ADRVs’) against several Russian athletes, in particular to the effect that these athletes participated in and/or benefited from anabolic steroid doping programs and benefited from specific protective methods (washout schedules) in the period 2012 (Olympic Games in London) – 2013 (World Championships in Moscow).

“Following the appeals filed by the IAAF at the CAS, each procedure was conducted separately and referred to a Sole Arbitrator. In all cases, the athletes have been found guilty of ADRVs under the IAAF Rules and individual sanctions have been imposed by the CAS on each of the 12 athletes concerned. These first-instance decisions may be appealed to the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division within 21 days.”

The athletes involved and some of their results to be nullified:

Men (3):
● Lyukman Adams (triple jump) ~ 2014 World Indoor Champion
● Ivan Ukhov (high jump) ~ 2012 Olympic Champion
● Ivan Yushkov (shot put)

Women (9):
● Anna Bulgakova (hammer) ~ already serving a doping suspension
● Gulfiya Agafonova Khana feeva (hammer) ~ second doping positive
● Mariya Bespalova (hammer) ~ already serving a doping suspension
● Tatyana Firova (400 m) ~ 2010 World Indoor 400 m silver medalist
● Vera Ganeeva (discus) ~ already serving a doping suspension
● Yekaterina Galitskaia (100 m hurdles)
● Yuliya Kondakova (100 m hurdles)
● Tatyana Lysenko (hammer) ~ 2013 World Champion; second doping positive
● Svetlana Shkolina (high jump) ~ 2013 World Champion, 2012 Olympic bronze

So two Olympic medals and two World Championship golds are impacted.

This finding has some far-reaching consequences, not the least of which is further support for the work of Prof. McLaren. This could be critical in track & field, as one of the requirements for the Russian Athletics Federation to be reinstated is to accept the findings of the two McLaren Reports.

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s Olivier Niggli (SUI) issued a somewhat self-congratulatory statement lauding the decision – even though WADA was not part of this action – but also adding that “This highlights also, once again, just how important the successful retrieval of the analytical data from the former Moscow Laboratory by WADA last month is for clean sport and reinforces the decision taken by the WADA Executive Committee (ExCo) on 20 September 2018 to reinstate as compliant the Russian Anti-Doping Agency under strict conditions, including access to the data. This large amount of data, which would not have been retrieved without that September ExCo decision, is currently being verified and assessed and, if found to be authentic, will be used to bring forward more cases against those who cheated.”

It’s worth noting that McLaren himself estimated that the Moscow Lab data could reveal as many as 300-600 new doping cases, based on his own work on the project.

So this could just the start of a series of announcements, including the re-award of medals from the 2012 Olympic Games and 2013 World Championships in events impacted by these doping confirmations.

And, these findings place some added pressure on WADA to authenticate the data retrieved from the Moscow Lab and for the Russians to hand over a potentially large number of samples from that lab for re-testing outside of Russia. That process has to be completed by 30 June of this year or Russia could be re-suspended by WADA, and potentially others.

The International Paralympic Committee announced that it will have an update on the status of the still-suspended Russian Paralympic Committee on 8 February.

FREESTYLE & SNOWBOARD Preview: World Champs start in Utah

By
Rich Perelman
-

The 2019 FIS World Championships in Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard are set to start in Utah on Friday with the Opening Ceremony and continue for 10 days through next week. It should be quite a show; the finals schedule:

Freestyle:
● 02 February: Big Air at Canyons Village
● 02 February: Ski Cross at Solitude Mountain
● 06 February: Aerials at Deer Valley
● 06 February: Slopestyle at Park City
● 07 February: Team Aerials at Deer Valley
● 08 February: Moguls at Deer Valley
● 09 February: Dual Moguls at Deer Valley
● 09 February: Halfpipe at Park City

Snowboard:
● 01 February: Snowboard Cross at Solitude Mountain
● 03 February: Team SnowboardCross at Solitude Mountain
● 04 February: Parallel Giant Slalom at Park City
● 05 February: Parallel Slalom at Park City
● 05 February: Big Air at Park City
● 08 February: Halfpipe at Park City
● 10 February: Slopestyle at Park City

The Freestyle and Snowboard Worlds have been unpredictable due to uncertainty over who will actually show up. For American and Canadian fans, having the event in the U.S. means that the cream of the North American skiers and riders are entered.

Our form chart of the best over the last three years:

Freestyle Aerials/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Jonathan Lillis (USA); 2. Guangpu Qi (CHN); 3. David Morris (AUS)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Oleksandr Abramenko (UKR); 2. Zongyang Jia (CHN); 3. Ilya Burov (RUS)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Maxim Burov (RUS: 100); 2. Wang Xindi (CHN: 80); 3. Stanislav Nikitin (RUS: 60)

Freestyle Aerials/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Ashley Caldwell (USA); 2. Danielle Scott (AUS); 3. Mengtao Xu (CHN)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Hanna Huskova (BLR); 2. Xin Zhang (CHN); 3. Fanyu Kong (CHN)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Mengtao Xu (CHN: 100); 2. Shao Qi (CHN: 80); 3. Xu Nuo (CHN: 60)

Freestyle Big Air/Men:
● 2017 World Champs: Not held
● 2018 Winter Games: Not held
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Andri Ragettli (SUI: 160); 2. Birk Ruud (NOR: 150); 3. Evan McEachran (CAN: 104)

Freestyle Big Air/Women:
● 2017 World Champs: Not held
● 2018 Winter Games: Not held
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Elena Gaskell (CAN: 150); 2. Caroline Claire (USA: 109); 3. Mathilde Gremaud (SUI: 100)

Freestyle Halfpipe/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Aaron Blunck (USA); 2. Mike Riddle (CAN); 3. Kevin Rolland (FRA)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. David Wise (USA); 2. Alex Ferreira (USA); 3. Nico Porteous (NZL)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Simon d’Artois (CAN: 140); 2. Nico Porteous (NZL: 130); 3. Miguel Porteous (NZL: 120).

Freestyle Halfpipe/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Ayana Onozuka (JPN); 2. Marie Martinod (FRA); 3. Devin Logan (USA)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Cassie Sharpe (CAN); 2. Marie Martinod (FRA); 3. Brita Sigourney (USA)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Kexin Zhang (CHN: 136); 2. Rachael Carker (CAN: 130); 3. Kelly Sidaru (EST: 100)

Freestyle Moguls/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Ikuma Horishima (JPN); 2. Benjamin Cavet (FRA); 3. Mikael Kingsbury (CAN)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Mikael Kingsbury (CAN); 2. Matt Graham (AUS); 3. Daichi Hara (JPN)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Mikael Kingsbury (CAN: 545); 2. Benjamin Cavet (FRA: 345); 3. Walter Wallberg (SWE: 316).

Freestyle Dual Moguls/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Ikuma Horishima (JPN); 2. Bradley Wilson (USA); 3. Marco Tade (SUI)
● 2018 Winter Games: Not held
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Mikael Kingsbury (CAN: 100); 2. Oskar Olofsson (SWE: 80); 3. Banjamin Cavet (FRA: 60)

Freestyle Moguls/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Britteny Cox (AUS); 2. Perrine Laffont (FRA); 3. Justine Dufour-Lapointe (CAN)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Perrine Laffont; 2. Justin Dufour-Lapointe (CAN); 3. Yulia Galysheva (KAZ)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Perrine Laffont (FRA: 500); 2. Jakara Anthony (AUS: 405); 3. Jaelin Kauf (USA: 400)

Freestyle Dual Moguls/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Perrine Laffont (FRA); 2. Yulia Galysheva (KAZ); 3. Jaelin Kauf (USA)
● 2018 Winter Games: Not held
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Jaelin Kauf (USA: 100); 2. Perrine Laffont (FRA: 80); 3. Yulia Galysheva (KAZ: 60)

Freestyle Ski Cross/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Victor Norberg (SWE); 2. Jamie Prebble (NZL); 3. Francois Place (FRA)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Brady Leman (CAN); 2. Marc Bischofberger (SUI); 3. Sergey Ridzik (RUS)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Bastien Midol (FRA; 415); 2. Jean-Frederic Chapuis (FRA: 254); 3. Alex Fiva (SUI: 243).

Freestyle Ski Cross/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Sandra Naeslund (SWE); 2. Fanny Smith (SUI); 3. Ophelie David (FRA)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Kelsey Serwa (CAN); 2. Brittany Phelan (CAN); 3. Fanny Smith (SUI)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Fanny Smith (CAN: 505); 2. Marielle Thompson (CAN: 400); 3. Sandra Naeslund (SWE: 350).

Freestyle Slopestyle/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. McRae Williams (USA); 2. Gus Kenworthy (USA); 3. James Woods (GBR)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Oystein Braaten (NOR); 2. Nick Goepper (USA); 3. Alex Beaulieu-Marchand (CAN)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Max Moffatt (CAN: 158); 2. Oliwer Magnusson (SWE: 152); 3. Alex Hall (USA: 129)

Freestyle Slopestyle/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Tess Ledeux (FRA); 2. Emma Dahlstrom (SWE); 3. Isabel Atkin (GBR)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Sarah Hoefflin (SUI); 2. Mathilde Gramaud (SUI); 3. Isabel Atkin (GBR)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Eileen Gu (USA: 204); 2. Sarah Hoefflin (SUI: 180); 3. Megan Oldham (CAN: 121)

Snowboard Big Air/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Stale Sandbech (NOR); 2. Chris Corning (USA); 3. Marcus Kleveland (NOR)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Sebastien Toutant (CAN); 2. Kyle Mack (USA); 3. Billy Morgan (GBR)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Takeru Otsuko (JPN: 2,600); 2. Chris Corning (USA: 2,090); 3. Clemens Millauer (AUT: 1,340)

Snowboard Big Air/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Anna Gasser (AUT); 2. Enni Rukajarvi (FIN); 3. Silje Norendal (NOR)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Anna Gasser (AUT); 2. Jamie Anderson (USA); 3. Zoi Sadowski-Synnot (NZL)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Reira Iwabuchi (JPN: 2,400); 2. Miyabi Onitsuka (JPN: 2,400); 3. Anna Gasser (AUT: 1,600)

Snowboard Cross/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Pierre Vaultier (FRA); 2. Lucas Eguibar (ESP); 3. Alex Pullin (AUS)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Pierre Vaultier (FRA); 2. Jayyrd Hughes (AUS); 3. Regino Hernandez (ESP)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Martin Noerl (GER: 1,600); 2. Omar Visintin (ITA: 1,090); 3. Emanuel Perathoner (ITA: 1,018.20)

Snowboard Cross/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Lindsey Jacobellis (USA); 2. Chloe Trespeuch (FRA); 3. Michaela Moioli (ITA)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Michela Moioli (ITA); 2. Julia Pereira (FRA); 3. Eva Samkova (CZE)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Lindsey Jacobellis (USA: 1,800); 2. Eva Samkova (CZE: 1,800); 3. Nelly Moenne Loccoz (FRA: 1,000)

Snowboard Halfpipe/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Scotty James (AUS); 2. Iouri Podladychikov (SUI); 3. Patrick Burgener (SUI)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Shaun White (USA); 2. Ayumu Hirano (JPN); 3. Scotty James (AUS)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Scotty James (AUS: 2,000); 2. Yuko Totsuka (JPN: 1,760); 3. Jan Scherrer (SUI: 1,560)

Snowboard Halfpipe/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Xuetong Cai (CHN); 2. Haruna Matsumoto (JPN); 3. Clmence Grimal (FRA)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Chloe Kim (USA); 2. Jiayu Liu (CHN); 3. Arielle Gold (USA)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Xuetong Cai (CHN: 2,100); 2. Chloe Kim (USA: 2,000); 3. Kurumi Imai (JPN: 1,460)

Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Andreas Prommegger (AUT); 2. Benjamin Karl (AUT); 3. Nevin Galmarini (SUI)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Nevin Galmarini (SUI); 3. Sang-Ho Lee (KOR); 3. Zan Kosir (SLO)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Roland Fischnaller (ITA: 1,810); 2. Nevin Galmarini (SUI: 1,590); 3. Benjamin Karl (AUT: 1,520)

Snowboard Parallel Slalom/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Andreas Prommegger (AUT); 2. Benjamin Karl (AUT); 3. Andrey Sobolev (RUS)
● 2018 Winter Games: Not held
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Dario Caviezel (SUI: 1,600); 2. Andrey Sobolev (RUS: 1,360); 3. Stefan Baumeister (GER: 1,220).

Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Ester Ledecka (CZE); 2. Patrizia Kummer (SUI); 3. Ekaterina Tudegesheva (RUS)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Ester Ledecka (CZE); 2. Selina Jorg (GER); 3. Ramona Hofmeister (GER)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Nadya Ochner (ITA: 1,900); 2. Ester Ledecka (CZE: 1,800); 3. Natalia Soboleva (RUS: 1,650)

Snowboard Parallel Slalom/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Daniela Ulbing (AUT); 2. Ester Ledecka (CZE); 3. Alena Zavarzina (RUS)
● 2018 Winter Games: Not held
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Sabine Schoeffman (AUT: 1,400); 2. Claudia Riegler (AUT: 1,290); 3. Julie Zogg (SUI: 1,220)

Snowboard Slopestyle/Men:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Seppe Smits (BEL); 2. Nicolas Huber (SUI); 3. Chris Corning (USA)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Red Gerard (USA); 2. Max Parrot (CAN); 3. Mark McMorris (CAN)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Chris Corning (USA: 1,800); 2. Takeru Otsuko (JPN: 1,500); 3. Lyon Farrell (USA: 1,410)

Snowboard Slopestyle/Women:
● 2017 World Champs:
1. Laurie Blouin (CAN); 2. Zoi Sadowski-Synot (NZL); 3. Miyabi Onitsuka (JPN)
● 2018 Winter Games:
1. Jamie Anderson (USA); 2. Laurie Blouin (CAN); 3. Enni Rukajarvi (FIN)
● 2019 FIS World Cup:
1. Miyabi Onitsuka (JPN: 2,000); 2. Reira Iwabuchi (JPN: 1,700); 3. Isabel Derungs (SUI: 1,680)

There are lots of storylines throughout the Championships. American SnowCross star Lindsey Jacobellis will be going for her sixth World Championship gold, while China’s Xuetong Cai will be looking for his third straight title in the men’s Halfpipe.

One star who won’t be in Utah is Snowboard Parallel Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom star Ester Ledecka, who has opted for the World Alpine Championships in Sweden instead. Well, after all, she is the Olympic champ in the Super-G!

NBC has coverage of the Worlds, starting at 1 p.m. Eastern on Friday on NBCSN; Freestyle Ski Cross on Saturday on the NBC Olympic Channel at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Freestyle Big Air at 9 p.m.; Team Snowboard Cross on Sunday on the NBC Olympic Channel at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Look for results for Freestyle here and Snowboard here.

LANE ONE: Appreciating another legacy of the 1984 Olympic Games: David Simon

By
Rich Perelman
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Retired Los Angeles Sports Council President David Simon

The modern Olympic Movement was dramatically changed with the staging of the Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad in Los Angeles in 1984.

The private financing, the use of existing facilities and thousands of volunteers are well remembered, along with many technical innovations that continue in use today. What is a little less appreciated is the legacy of people who helped make that Games work and continued to use that experience to make a difference for decades to come.

One such person was celebrated in a happy, noisy reception in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday night (30th), with family and friends gathered to honor a key member of the 1984 Olympic Organizing Committee team: David Simon.

Simon was not the highest-profile member of the LAOOC staff; that was Peter Ueberroth, who was in attendance and spoke movingly about Simon’s contributions was one of the first half-dozen people hired back in 1979, and as the Vice President/Government Relations. But what Simon achieved afterwards was the focus of the celebration.

His introduction by Los Angeles Sports Council President Tony Sciarrino pointed up his impact, and the example Simon has set for others:

“It’s a pleasure to be with all of you this afternoon to recognize, once again, that every one of us can make a difference in our community, whether it be Los Angeles or the world of sports or both.

“One person had an idea. One person pursued it and created a new paradigm for the way communities support and embrace sports. That person is our own David Simon.

“His unique path to the Sports Council began at UCLA, and included stops in Washington, D.C., working in the office of Congresswoman Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, and then back home to Los Angeles as one of the first staff members of the then-unknown Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.

“We, in this room, know well the enormous impact that the 1984 Olympic Games had, not just on Los Angeles and the Olympic Movement, but in countless areas of business, civic life, public-private cooperation, and in the advertising, marketing and sports industries.

“One man – our man David – saw new opportunities for Los Angeles beyond the Games and joined the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce as a Senior Vice President, intent on extending the enthusiasm for international sports and for the area’s teams even deeper into our community.

“He formed the Chamber’s Sports Committee in 1987 and with the backing of the late John Argue – the man most responsible for bringing the 1984 Games to Los Angeles – formed the Los Angeles Sports Council in 1988.

“Who could have foreseen how important a move that was.

“The Sports Council’s concept of creating economic development through sports led to a revolution in civic involvement in the global sports industry that saw the Sports Council become a model for sports commissions that popped up across this country. Through David’s tireless work in coordinating bids, private-sector support and cooperation with local, regional and national levels of governments, Los Angeles has continued to be the epicenter of sports in the United States.

“The [1991] U.S. Olympic Festival, the 1993 Super Bowl – the last one held in the Los Angeles area – the [1994] FIFA World Cup and [1999] Women’s World Cup, the [2015] Special Olympics World Games and national and world championships in Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Figure Skating, Gymnastics, Horse Racing, Ice Hockey, Modern Pentathlon, Track & Field and many others all came here thanks to the Sports Council.

“And let us not forget the enormous effort in the Olympic Movement, and the bids for the 2012 and 2016 Games plus the 2012 IOC World Conference on Women and Sport that set the stage for Los Angeles to be awarded the Games of the 34th Olympiad in 2028.

“David Simon was in the vanguard of all of it, and we owe him our thanks, along with his wife Cheryl, who was more than giving of David’s time, and we took a lot of it.

“But there is more. The Sports Council created a first-of-its-kind program with the “100 Greatest Moments in Los Angeles Sports History” book and television program in 1995. That morphed into the annual Los Angeles Sports Awards, another Los Angeles original. We hope to see all of you there for the 2019 show on March 25, and yes, tables are available.

“It’s a pleasure to be here to recognize the vision, wisdom and courage of a man whose own legacy we will be hard-pressed to match, David Simon.”

There was warm applause in the room from people who had seen Simon’s work first-hand, such as the senior International Olympic Committee member Anita DeFrantz – an LAOOC colleague – who read a special message of congratulations from IOC President Thomas Bach (GER). And stars including Olympic icons like basketball silver medalist Ann Meyers Drysdale, swimming gold medalist John Naber and 1984 Olympic breaststroke finalist John Moffet, immediate past chair of the LA84 Foundation, Frank Sanchez, the legendary former sports editor and columnist for the Los Angeles Times, Bill Dwyre, and many more.

Simon himself spoke about the challenge of starting a new concept from scratch back in 1987, as a civic, private-sector-only organization to support local teams and bring new events to an area was untried.. But it worked, and created more than $1 billion in economic impact for the region.

He also noted the motivation behind the idea. “What has motivated me all these years is … the desire, as a life-long L.A. resident to generate the sense of community that sports can uniquely provide.

“Let’s face it, a sense of community can be hard to come by in L.A. Those of us who live here don’t share a common urban environment. Some of us live near the beach, some in the mountains and some in the desert – not to mention that most of us live in one of the dozens of cities which lie outside the Los Angeles city limits.

“What cuts through the clutter and provides a regional sense of community isn’t the Freeways or the weather – it’s sports. When the Dodgers are in the World Series, or the Rams are in the Super Bowl, or when we host an Olympics or the World Cup, it’s the ultimate water-cooler moment. We feel a sense of pride and shared experience with our neighbors and co-workers that otherwise doesn’t happen here, but which we desperately need. These occasions – which only sports can provide – make us a closer and better community.”

This is an insight which is not well enough appreciated. The emotion – whether for victory or defeat – which sports provide go beyond the athletes on the field or the court and are shared by spectators in the arena or watching from elsewhere, near or far.

Simon had an idea, and he inspired people from sports and those who wanted to help bring more sports to Southern California, to help achieve it. Now, however, as he noted that his frequent-flyer miles are the biggest number in his life, his retirement will allow him to start using them and see many more places where sports are played. And although he has retired from the Sports Council, he will now have more time to devote to many other roles, including as a Board member of USA Badminton.

This is the power of one person with an idea, and the tenacity, talent and drive to make it a reality. Not just for athletes, but for anyone who thinks their idea might not worth pursuing, Simon shows that change starts with ideas, and often with one person.

Congratulations, David, on your 30 years of contributing to the Olympic Movement and to making the Los Angeles area more special through sports. Enjoy your travels, but let us see you at some home games, too.

Rich Perelman
Editor

FENCING Preview: Men’s Sabre-rattlers meet in Warsaw

By
Rich Perelman
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American Sabre star Eli Dershwitz

A light schedule for the FIE World Cup this week, with only one event, the 64th edition of the Sabre de Wolodyjowski, with an individual competition on Friday and Saturday and a team event on Sunday. The field is quite large at 221, with the top entries by world ranking:

1. Eli Dershwitz (USA) ~ 2018 World Championships silver medalist
2. Bon-Gil Gu (KOR) ~ 2017 World Championships silver medalist
4. Aron Szilagyi (HUN) ~ 2016 Olympic Champion
5. Sang-Uk Oh (KOR) ~ 2018 World Championships Team gold medalist
6. Kamil Ibragimov (RUS) ~ 2018 World Championships bronze medalist
7. Luca Curatoli (ITA) ~ 2018 World Championships Team gold medalist
8. Andras Szatmari (HUN) ~ 2017 World Champion
9. Max Hartung (GER)
10. Bolade Apithy (FRA)

In addition, the Rio Olympic silver medalist – American Daryl Homer, currently ranked 16th – is also in the field.

Korea’s Gu is the defending champion, defeating Germany’s Matyas Szabo in the final. You can follow the results of this year’s tournament here.

RUGBY Preview: U.S. men tied for Sevens Series lead heading into Sydney

By
Rich Perelman
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Both the men’s and women’s Seven Series are in play this week in Australia, with the U.S. men’s team – the Eagles – sitting with Fiji at the top of the points table.

In the three men’s legs held so far, the U.S. has been second each time, losing to New Zealand in Dubai (UAE), and Fiji in Cape Town (RSA) and Hamilton (NZL). Both Fiji and the U.S. have 57 points, followed by New Zealand (54), South Africa (44) and England (38).

The Sydney pools:

● Pool A: Fiji, Samoa, England, Japan
● Pool B: United States, Canada, Kenya, France
● Pool C: New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, Wales
● Pool D: South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Tonga

The U.S. has never finished higher than fifth in any Sevens Series season and was sixth last season. But the finals losses, by 21-5, 29-15 and 38-0 last week, sting.

However, the schedule should be moving in the U.S.’s favor, with the next two stops in North America: Las Vegas and Vancouver.

The top individual scorer in the series continues to be New Zealand’s Andrew Knewstubb, with 119 points, followed by John Porch (AUS: 104) and then Madison Hughes of the U.S. and Fiji’s Waisea Nacuqu (97). Look for results here.

The Sydney leg for women is the third of six stops, with New Zealand having won both in Glendale, Colorado and Dubai, for 40 points. Canada has finished third and second, for 34 points and the U.S. stands third with 32 after a second and a fourth.

This week, the pools are:

● Pool A: New Zealand, France, England, Papua-New Guinea
● Pool B: Fiji, Canada, Russia, Ireland
● Pool C: Australia, United States, China, Spain

The top two in each pool, plus the two highest-ranked third-place teams will advance to the championship playoffs.

The Black Ferns have won four of the six seasonal titles in the women’s Sevens Series, but Australia won last season, beating New Zealand in the final. The best-ever finish for the U.S. was fourth in the inaugural season in 2012-13.

The top women’s scorers are Tyla Nathan-Wong (NZL) with 91, ahead of Ghislaine Landry (CAN: 77) and Bianca Farella (CAN: 70). The top U.S. scorer is Ilona Maher, standing seventh overall, with 50. Look for results here.

CURLING Preview: Third World Cup underway in Jonkoping

By
Rich Perelman
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U.S. siblings Matt and Becca Hamilton in Mixed Doubles action (Photo: WCF ~ Celine Stucki)

The inaugural season of the World Curling Federation’s World Cup has started its second half, with a competition in Jonkoping (SWE) for men and women. Through the first two legs, in Suzhou (CHN) and Omaha, Nebraska (USA):

● Men:
I: Kevin Koe (CAN) d. Steffen Walstad (NOR), 6-5
II: John Shuster (USA) d. Niklas Edin (SWE), 3-1

● Women:
I: Rachel Homan (CAN) d. Anna Hasselborg (SWE), 7-3
II: Satsuki Fujisawa (JPN) d. Min-Ji Kim (KOR), 7-6

● Mixed Doubles:
I: Laura Walker/Kirk Muyres (CAN) d. Sarah Anderson/Korey Dropkin (USA), 7-3
II: Kristin Skaslien/Magnus Nedregotten (NOR) d. Jenny Perret/Martin Rios (SUI), 10-5

In Jonkoping, the men’s team are led by multi-time World Champion Edin and Walstad, along with Matt Dunstone skipping the Canadian team and Korey Dropkin leading the U.S. squad.

The women teams feature finalists Kim and Hasselborg. Canada has a new squad, with Darcy Robertson as Skip and the U.S. has a team led by Cory Christensen.

The Mixed Doubles program has Skaslien back for Norway, but now teamed with Thomas Ulsrud and the Swiss have Perret and Rios back for a possible re-match with the Vikings. The U.S. has the brother-and-sister squad of Olympic gold medalist Matt Hamilton, and Becca Hamilton. Canada has Kadriana Sahaidak and Cotton Lott.

The teams are playing a double round-robin in groups, with the group winners moving on to Sunday’s finals. Look for match scores and updates here.

ALPINE SKIING Preview: Shiffrin expected back on the slopes in Slovenia

By
Rich Perelman
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American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin

Just about two-thirds of the women’s Alpine World Cup racing has been completed, and the final races prior to the 2019 World Alpine Skiing Championships come this weekend in Maribor (SLO).

The schedule calls for a Giant Slalom and Slalom and that means American Mikaela Shiffrin will try to continue her dominance over the technical races. She has won six of the eight Slalom-style events held so far and two of the five Giant Slaloms. She has also won three Super-G races for 11 total wins this season.

Much attention is now being focused on the single-season wins record of 14 by Vreni Schneider (SUI) back in 1989 and Shiffrin could come within one with a sweep in Maribor. She has won there twice before, a Slalom in 2015 and another in 2017.

In terms of the overall standings, Shiffrin leads with 1,494 points, ahead of Petra Vlhova (SVK) with 898, then Wendy Holdener (SUI: 637) and Nicole Schmidhofer (AUT: 617). Shiffrin also leads the Super-G, Giant Slalom and Slalom categories, but not by more than 80 points in any one of them.

NBC’s Olympic Channel will have coverage from Maribor on Friday morning at 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Eastern time and the second run of the women’s Slalom on Saturday at 7 .m. Eastern time. Look for results here.

The men’s World Cup racing will be in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) this week, with a Downhill and Giant Slalom on Saturday and Sunday.

Like Shiffrin, the seasonal record for wins is also being chased by Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, who is well positioned to win his eighth straight World Cup overall title. He has a 1,216-732 lead over Alexis Pinturault (FRA) in the overall standings, followed by Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR: 671) and Dominik Paris (ITA: 550).

Hirscher has 10 wins on the season; he is one of three men to have won 13 races in a season, along with Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark and Austria’s Hermann Maier. There are seven more Giant Slalom and Slalom-style races remaining this season and he will be favored in all of them.

He leads the Giant Slalom and Slalom categories as well as the overall, and is way ahead: 540-302 over Kristoffersen in the Giant Slalom and 676-401 to new challenger Clement Noel in the Slalom.

In the Downhill, defending champ Beat Feuz (SUI) is now the seasonal leader with 420 points, a full race – 100 points – ahead of Italy’s Dominik Paris (32) and Christof Innerhofer (ITA: 260).

One of the finest Downhillers of this generation, Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal announced last weekend that he will retire after the World Alpine Championships in Sweden next month. Now 36, he won two Olympic golds in 2010 (Super-G) and 2018 (Downhill) and won two World Cup overall titles in 2007 and 2009. He will skip Garmisch to get ready for the Worlds.

The men’s Downhill from Garmisch will be on the NBC Olympic Channel at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the Giant Slalom on Sunday on the same channel starting at 5:30 a.m. Look for results here.

LANE ONE: The USOC figured out that it has an undiscovered sponsor: the NCAA

By
Rich Perelman
-

With all of the news about Congressional commissions and inquiries into the United States Olympic Committee, an important story appeared in the 21 January issue of the Sports Business Journal.

Titled, “USOC, NCAA agree to allow schools to promote their Olympic ties,” reporter Ben Fischer described a new program developed by the USOC’s collegiate partnerships initiative to be called “Olympians Made Here.”

For the first time, the USOC will allow a university to combine its logo with that of the USOC – Olympic rings included – in a shared mark to promote the school’s Olympic ties to its own athletes. According to Fischer, “The NCAA, college conferences and USOC-governed national governing bodies also can activate the campaign. The USOC is seeking institutional opt-in by April for the “Olympians Made Here” campaign, but there is no hard deadline considering some schools may not be sure of their Olympic connection until the 2020 Olympic trials.”

This may not seem like a lot, but it is a major step forward for the USOC. Former chief executive Scott Blackmun recognized the strategic threat to the quality of the U.S. Olympic Teams of the future if collegiate programs in Olympic sports continue to shrink.

The USOC created a new collegiate outreach project in 2016 and hired Sarah Wilhelmi from the West Coast Conference to coordinate it. Working in conjunction with a 10-member Collegiate Advisory Council of athletic directors and a conference commissioner, the USOC is looking for ways it can work together with universities to add value to their Olympic-sports programs.

Fischer got a scoop with the story, as the program is not designed to launch until 24 July – one year before the opening of the Tokyo Games – but is being circulated for interest now.

Perhaps not so coincidentally, on the day after the story appeared, the NCAA posted a story on its Web site on how school investments in Olympic sports are seeing a return in Olympic athletes from their teams. “The results make one thing clear: Because of college sports, the Olympic development system in the United States is unique, with no peers in the world. Division I schools together invest more than $5 billion annually.”

And a clever graphic showcased the amount spent by Division I schools for the top 10 Olympic sports:

1. $2.1 billion: Basketball
2. $577 million: Cross Country and Track & Field
3. $519 million: Soccer (Football)
4. $439 million: Baseball
5. $345 million: Volleyball
6. $281 million: Tennis
7. $279 million: Softball
8. $253 million: Swimming and Diving
9. $252 million: Golf
10. $143 million: Ice Hockey

The NCAA also has championship programs in beach volleyball, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, gymnastics, rifle, rowing, rugby, skiing, triathlon, water polo and wrestling, all of which are development opportunities for American Olympic teams.

In terms of strategic planning, this is a welcome shift by the USOC. The continued loss of collegiate programs is already hurting American performance in some sports, but allowing schools to capitalize on the publicity generated by Olympic ties – with some modest use of the Olympic rings – is a sure winner for schools which have the marketing and promotional capacity to take advantage. And this can work for schools beyond the athletic department to admissions and alumni relations as well.

There are, of course, restrictions on the program, such as not allowing any presence of a university or conference corporate partner on the combined USOC/school mark, or the use of such a mark by a collegiate sponsor; that would dilute the USOC’s rights with its own sponsors.

But the program is free and can be the jumping-off point for new projects, even co-promotions between NCAA programs and the training and competition programs of the USOC, but also the National Governing Bodies.

Long-time observers of Olympic sport in the U.S. will remember the decades-long war between the NCAA and the old Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) over athlete eligibility. That fight was so intense that a President’s Commission on Olympic Sports was formed during the Gerald Ford administration, under the direction of Mike Harrigan. Its report in 1977 led directly to the landmark Amateur Sports Act passed in 1978, which is now being reviewed in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal and the loose oversight of the National Governing Bodies by the USOC.

Now the NGBs and the USOC could be working together on this program and the NGBs could obtain modest use of the USOC’s marks to further promote its own athletes. This has been, up to this point, unthinkable, so let’s credit the USOC – and Blackmun – where due.

Closer ties between NCAA institutions, National Governing Bodies and the USOC can work. We see this today in wrestling, where USA Wrestling’s showcase events are most often held at university arenas where the wrestling teams are storied, such as at Iowa, Lehigh and Penn State, to name a few. USA Wrestling’s Executive Director, Rich Bender, is conveniently a new member of the USOC’s Board, as one of the NGB representatives, and may be able to contribute further insights for this program.

One of the USOC’s ancient goals, especially by its former marketing chief John Krimsky (later disgraced by a child pornography conviction), was to increase small-amount giving from American households to support the USOC. He was famous for saying, “America doesn’t send its athletes to the Games. Americans do.” The potential for mutual benefit for the USOC, the National Governing Bodies and university athletic departments is real and the “Olympians Made Here” program can be a starting point.

The willingness of the USOC to look at new ways to recognize its strategic partners is a good sign for an organization that must become more nimble, more creative and more inclusive – in many ways – to continue its success into the future.

Rich Perelman
Editor

SWIMMING Panorama: Doping rumors about China’s Yang Sun, and a cancer challenge for Nathan Adrian

By
Rich Perelman
-
Olympic swimming champ Nathan Adrian (USA) after surgery

Rough news this week for two of the finest swimmers in the world, both from the medical side:

● China’s Yang Sun, the triple Olympic gold medalist and nine-time World Champion in distance Freestyles, is in the news thanks to a sensational story in the Sunday Times (GBR) that “A clash with anti-doping testers ended in him and his security guard using a hammer to smash a sealed vial containing the swimmer’s blood,” back on 4 September at his home in China.

The back story to the incident is that Sun, 27, was previously suspended for three months by the Chinese Swimming Association for doping back in May of 2014 due to the use of trimetazidine, then classified as a stimulant (but since downgraded, although still banned).

So, another doping positive could result in a long suspension and even a lifetime ban. FINA issued a statement on Monday, noting “FINA is aware of the reports in the Sunday Times and other media outlets regarding Chinese swimmer Sun Yang. In accordance with FINA’s Anti-Doping Policy (FINA DC Rules 14.1.5 and 14.3.3) and the decision of the Doping Panel, FINA is not authorised to comment the case.”

Sun’s representatives went on the offensive against the story, telling the Chinese Xinhua news service that “We reserve the right to file a lawsuit against the relevant international media which reports the incident.”

According to their version, “Sun rejected an out-of-competition doping test at his home in Zhejiang on Sept. 4, 2018 as doping testers from IDTM, the organisation to conduct out-of-competition doping tests, failed to show adequate identification proofs [of identity].”

The newspaper The Australian noted in a Wednesday post that “The case may not be over yet as the [Sunday Times] findings have been sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency, which has 21 days to decide whether to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

● American Olympic sprint champion Nathan Adrian was surprisingly absent from the first Tyr Pro Swim Series meet in Knoxville, Tennessee, a circuit that he has favored over the past several years.

Then came last Thursday’s announcement by Adrian on Instagram that explained “After a few tests and visits with a specialist, I unfortunately learned that I have Testicular Cancer. On the bright side, we caught it early, I have already started treatment and the prognosis is good. I will be back in the water in a few short weeks with my sights fully set on Tokyo!

“Along the way, I hope to share my journey in an effort to help break the stigma of discussing men’s health issues. I’ve realized that too often we tend to avoid these important topics, ignore the potential warning signs, and put off getting the medical help that we may need.

“As I told my family, I’ll be putting my public health degree to work a little sooner than I planned! But in all seriousness, I am keeping a positive attitude as cases such as mine are curable.”

He posted new details on Tuesday, including “Quick update: I underwent a laparoscopic RPLND procedure yesterday which means they took out some of my lymph nodes that the cancer may have spread to with the help of a robot. My doctor said it went well and my pathology report (which will tell us if it had spread) should be back in another week or so. Until then, we are going to do everything we can to get back to normal life as quickly as possible while staying well within my doctors’ parameters of course!”

Adrian, 30, is on the U.S. Pan American Games and World Championships team for 2019 and USA Swimming will monitor his situation before considering any change in his status.

ALPINE SKIING: Home crowd happy with Hirscher’s 10th win of the season in Schladming

By
Rich Perelman
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Austria's Marcel Hirscher (Photo: Jonas Ericcsoon via Wikipedia)

It’s only been 16 days since Austria’s Marcel Hirscher won a FIS Alpine World Cup race, but it seemed like so much longer after losing twice to France’s new star, Clement Noel. So Tuesday’s Slalom win in Schladming (AUT) was welcomed by a happy Austrian crowd and Hirscher himself.

FIS reported some 45,000 fans in attendance for the night racing, with Hirscher the star from the beginning. He tore down the mountain for a 52.28 first-run time that no one could approach and he entered the second run 0.99 seconds ahead of Swiss Daniel Yule.

In the meantime, his rival from the past two races – Noel – skied off the course during the first run and did not advance.

“The last few days were not the easiest ones because of the first runs and everybody is talking about the first runs, so I thought to myself ‘Okay let’s show a first run that everyone will want to see’ and I’m happy it was possible.” Hirscher said afterwards.

Even with Noel out, Hirscher hardly let up and again had the fastest time on the course – 52.52 – to win in 1:44.81, a massive 1.21-second victory over France’s Alexis Pinturault (1:46.02) and 1.60 over Yule (1:46.41).

Said Hirscher, “It was a perfect run [the second] and it was so crazy to ski and the crowd were amazing.”

It was his third career win in Schladming and his 10th of the season. He won 13 last season and still has three Giant Slaloms and three Slaloms (including a City Event) remaining on the schedule. Both he and Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) are chasing the all-time single-season record of 14 wins by Vreni Schneider (SUI) in 1989. Shiffrin has 11 wins so far; Hirscher’s 13 wins last season is tied with Ingemar Stenmark (SWE: 1978-79) and Hermann Maier (AUT: 2000-01).

FIS Alpine World Cup
Schladming (AUT) ~ 29 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Slalom: 1. Marcel Hirscher (AUT), 1:44.81; 2. Alexis Pinturault (FRA), 1:46.02; 3. Daniel Yule (SUI), 1:46.41; 4. Ramon Zenhaeusern (SUI), 1:47.06; 5. Marco Schwarz (AUT), 1:47.40.

ATHLETICS Panorama: Remembering Fred Thompson, Steve Prefontaine and Franklin Jacobs

By
Rich Perelman
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Fred Thompson, founder and coach of the Atoms Track Club

Sports creates enduring memories, not only of events and wins and losses, but of the places you go and the people you meet. In the past week, this was underscored by three unforgettable people who made the sport better.

● The most recent, and sad, occurrence was last Tuesday’s passing of Fred Thompson, for decades the coach of the Atoms Track Club in Brooklyn and a man in the forefront of promoting women’s track & field.

He was an outstanding coach and a dynamic personality. If he was present, you knew it right away, whether you were another athlete, a coach, a spectator or especially if you were an official in an event in which his athletes were competing.

If one of his athletes was a sprinter, he was at the start. If a long jumper, he was right next to the pit and watched carefully to see where she took off from and if the official in the sand marked the jump properly. And his enthusiasm when his athletes did well was widely noticed because he did not hold his emotions back.

He cared deeply for his athletes and some of them were stars, including Cheryl Toussaint and Diane Dixon, who won Olympic relay medals in the 1972 and 1984 Games, respectively. A lawyer by trade and a formidable personality if you took the time to speak with him, he cared as much for his age-group runners as he did for his stars. This video from the 1970s explains Thompson’s impact well and showcases what one person can do to change lives through sport.

Thompson passed on 22 January at his home in Brooklyn, New York, apparently from complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. The New York Times had an excellent obituary here.

● Last Friday, 25 January, would have been the 68th birthday for distance icon Steve Prefontaine, who died in a car crash in Eugene, Oregon at age 24 back in 1975.

Pre was deservedly a legend, because his fearless running style and brash personality made you either love him or hate him. There was very little in between, but he was the greatest American distance runner of his time. He held American Records in the 2,000 m, 3,000 m, 2-mile, 3-mile, 5,000 m, 6-mile and 10,000 m at various times between 1971 and 1979. His best 5,000 m mark of 13:22.2 from 1974 lasted until 1976 and his 10,000 m time of 27:43.6 was not surpassed until 1979.

He won seven NCAA titles for the University of Oregon, two national championships in the 3-mile and finished a memorable fourth at the 1972 Olympic 5,000 m in Munich.

Running in the “shamateurism” era of the 1970s, he was a huge draw, especially at indoor meets where fans could see him up close, but he bemoaned the lack of opportunities for athletes to be paid directly. But his impact was felt as the rules began to change dramatically in the years following his death.

He is remembered annually at the Prefontaine Classic track meet. Originally known as the Hayward Field Restoration Meet when inaugurated in 1973, the name was changed two days after his death and the 1975 meet was held in his honor, and ever since.

Pre helped make the Nike brand, developed in Eugene, world famous, and promoted it tirelessly in its early years. The brand has not forgotten him, nor should anyone who appreciates competitive zeal.

● Franklin Jacobs is, happily, still alive, but back on 27 January 1978, he set an amazing World Indoor Record of 2.32 m (7-7 1/4) at the Millrose Games. Impressive for sure, but astonishing for someone standing 5-8!

That jump, some 23 1/4 inches above his head, has never been surpassed for the unique “jumping over your height” category. It was equaled by Sweden’s Stefan Holm in 2005. He is 5-11 1/4 and jumped 2.40 m (7-10 1/2). In fact, Holm keeps track of this particular statistic at his own Web site, with a list of everyone who has jumped 50 cm (1-7 3/4) or more over their height. He and Jacobs both cleared 59 cm over!

Jacobs, of course, was among those athletes whose Olympic dreams were shattered by the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games. He eventually settled in Arizona, working as a manager for a home-building company there. But he is still remembered for his exploits on the infield and how he amazed the crowds everywhere he went in the 1970s.

Thanks to Walt Murphy’s excellent Eastern Track results service and daily track & field history bulletins for noting the anniversaries of Prefontaine and Jacobs. If you are interested in knowing more, contact Walt at [email protected]

Kenyan distance star Jemima Sumgong, the 2016 Olympic Marathon winner in Rio, had her suspension for doping doubled from four years to eight by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)’s Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

Her original doping positive was reported in April 2017. Her explanations for the incident did not ring true and the AIU brought another action against her for “a false explanation of her r-EPO before, and the submission of false medical documents by her to the Kenyan Tribunal.” The complete decision is here.

This second action was judged to be another doping positive under the rules in which a cover-up is considered as a positive in and of itself. So her period of ineligibility was extended to April 2025, when she is 42.

Sumgong can appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Brett Clothier, Head of the AIU said; “We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal. We hope that it sends a message to dopers that the AIU has strong investigative capabilities and does not tolerate false evidence in doping cases.”

THE BIG PICTURE: USA Gymnastics stays on course, makes new hires

By
Rich Perelman
-

For an organization that the United States Olympic Committee is trying to destroy, USA Gymnastics seems quite alive and even well.

New USAG chair Kathryn Carson posted an open message on the usagym.org site on 17 January, noting:

● “We have made executive leadership changes, and we are close to hiring a new president and CEO. We are actively recruiting for several other top-level positions, including a permanent chief legal officer, chief programs officer and director of sports medicine. We will continue to update you on our progress toward filling those positions.

● “The Chapter 11 [bankruptcy] process will allow us to reach resolution with the survivors in a fair and expeditious manner, while allowing us to continue to our work to support gymnastics at all levels. …

● “We have further strengthened our safe sport policies and bylaws — including provisions on mandatory reporting — to establish greater accountability and make reporting easier. Additionally, we have expanded our Safe Sport Department, including hiring a child advocate to oversee safe-sport education and training.”

Doesn’t sound like an organization whose future is revocation of its National Governing Body status. In fact, the changes being made are exactly those which are needed to ensure that if the USOC decides to de-certify it as the NGB for Gymnastics, it could ultimately win in binding arbitration, as specified in the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act.

The key hurdle for USAG to clear will be the cited resolution with the Larry Nassar survivors. If this can be achieved, then those individuals can be directly integrated into the SafeSport process to ensure that athlete safety is achieved through intervention by those who know what to look for.

As time grinds on, the USOC’s own process will have to be mindful of the timetable going forward as the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo get closer and closer. The 2019 Pan American Games starts 26 July in Lima (PER) and the 2019 U.S. National Championships are from 8-11 August in Kansas City and Olympic selection will be front and center after that.

It could be that the USOC’s de-certification timetable for USAG – including any arbitration hearings if the USOC revokes USAG’s NGB status – may get delayed until after the 2020 Games are concluded. For those opposing USAG as an organization going forward, that may seem disastrous, but from an athlete and coaching perspective, might be the best path forward for the sake of stability in preparation and performance at the Tokyo Games.

SAILING Preview: Second World Cup sets sail in Miami starting on Tuesday

By
Rich Perelman
-
The World Sailing World Cup in Miami (Photo: World Sailing)

The World Sailing World Cup Series for Olympic-class boats takes place in Biscayne Bay off of Miami, Florida (USA) this week, starting on Tuesday. All 10 classes are scheduled, with more than 650 sailors from 60 nations expected. Schedule:

Racing five days from 29 January-2 February:
● RS:X ~ 54 men, 41 women entered
● 49er/49er FX ~ 100 men, 59 women entered
● Nacra 17 ~ 27 entries

Racing six days from 29 January-3 February:
● Laser/Laser Radial ~ 37 men, 29 women entered
● Finn ~ 26 entries
● 470 ~ 37 men, 29 women entered

The competition is expected to be fierce, among a talented group of entrants. Among the expected stars of recent events:

RS:X/Men:
● Louis Giard (FRA) ~ 2018 World Championships bronze & 2017-18 Miami winner
● Pierre Le Coq (FRA) ~ 2016 Olympic bronze medalist

RS:X/Women:
● Lilian de Geus (NED) ~ 2018 World Champion
● Charlene Picon (FRA) ~ 2018 Worlds silver; 2016 Olympic gold; 2014 World Champion
● Yunxiu Lu (CHN) ~ 2018 Worlds bronze medalist; 2017 Miami World Cup winner
● Peina Chen (CHN) ~ 2016 Olympic silver medalist
● Helene Noesmoen (FRA) ~ 2018 Miami World Cup winner

49er:
● Sime Fantela/Mihovil Fantela (CRO) ~ 2018 World Champions
● Mathieu Frei/Noe Delpech (FRA) ~ 2018 Worlds silver medalists
● Tim Fischer/Fabian Graf (GER) ~ 2018 Worlds bronze medalists
● Erik Heil/Thomas Plossel (GER) ~ 2016 Olympic bronze medalists
● Dylan Fletcher-Scott/Stuart Bithell (GBR) ~ 2017 & 2018 Miami World Cup winners

49er FX:
● Tanja Frank/Lorena Albricht (NED) ~ 2018 World Champs silver medalists
● Sophie Weguelin/Sophie Ainsworth (GBR) ~ 2018 World Champs bronze medalists
● Martine Grael/Kahena Kunze (BRA) ~ 2016 Olympic Champions
● Alex Maloney/Molly Meech (NZL) ~ 2016 Olympic silver medalists
● Victoria Jurczok/Anika Lorenz (GER) ~ 2018 Miami World Cup winners

Laser:
● Matthew Wearn (NZL) ~ 2018 World Champs silver medalist
● Philipp Buhl (GER) ~ 2018 World Champs bronze medalist; 2015 Miami World Cup winner
● Tom Burton (AUS) ~ 2016 Olympic Champion; 2018 Miami World Cup winner
● Sam Meech (NZL) ~ 2016 Olympic bronze medalist

Laser Radial:
● Emma Plasschaert (BEL) ~ 2018 World Champion
● Marit Bouwmeester (NED) ~ 2016 Olympic Champion; 2011-14-17 World Champion
● Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN) ~ 2018 World Champs bronze; 2016 Olympic bronze

Finn:
● Max Salminen (SWE) ~ 2018 World Champs silver medalist
● Caleb Paine (USA) ~ 2016 Olympic bronze; 2013 Miami World Cup winner
● Jorge Zarif (BRA) ~ 2016-17 Miami World Cup winner

470 Men:
● Kevin Peponnet/Jeremie Mion (FRA) ~ 2018 World Champions
● Tetsuya Isozaki/Akira Takayanagi (JPN) ~ 2018 World Champs silver medalists
● Jordi Xammar Hernandez/Nicolas Rodriguez (ESP) ~ 2018 World Champs bronze
● Panagiotis Mantis/Pavlos Kagialis (GRE) ~ 2016 Olympic bronze medalists
● Luke Patience/Chris Grube (GBR) ~ 2018 Miami World Cup winners

470 Women:
● Ai Kondo Yoshida/Miho Yoshioka (JPN) ~ 2018 World Champions
● Silvia Mas Depares/Patricia Cantero Reoina (ESP) ~ 2018 Worlds silver medalists
● Hannah Mills/Eilidh McIntyre (GBR) ~ 2018 World bronze; (Mills: 2016 Olympic gold)
● Camille Lecointre/Aloise Retornaz (FRA) ~ Lecointre: 2016 Olympic bronze
● Tina Mrak/Veronika Macarol (SLO) ~ 2018 Miami World Cup winners

Nacra 17/Mixed:
● Santiago Lange/Cecilia Carranza Saroli (ARG) ~ 2016 Olympic Champs; 2018 Worlds bronze
● Jason Waterhouse/Lisa Darmanin (AUS) ~ 2016 Olympic silver; 2018 Miami winners
● Thomas Zajac/Barbara Matz (AUT) ~ Zajac: 2016 Olympic bronze medalist

Look for results here.

STAT PACK: Results for the week of 21-27 January 2019

By
Rich Perelman
-

The Stat Pack: a summary of results of international Grand Prix, World Cup and World Championships events, plus U.S. domestic events and Pan American championships events of note.

In this week’s issue are 38 reports on 23 sports:

● Alpine Skiing
● Athletics
● Badminton
● Biathlon
● Bobsled & Skeleton
● Cross Country Skiing
● Cycling
● Fencing
● Figure Skating
● Football
● Freestyle Skiing
● Handball
● Judo
● Karate
● Luge
● Nordic Combined
● Nordic Skiing
● Rugby
● Short Track
● Ski Jumping
● Snowboard
● Tennis
● Wrestling

plus our calendar of upcoming events through 3 March. Click below for the PDF:

[wpdm_package id=10367 template=”link-template-button-popup.php”]

SPEED READ: Headlines from The Sports Examiner for Monday, 28 January 2019

By
Rich Perelman
-

Welcome to The Sports Examiner SPEED READ, a 100 mph (44.7 m/s) review of what happened over the last 72 hours in Olympic sport … and a lot happened:

LANE ONE

Monday: The International Paralympic Committee impressively and decisively dealt with the anti-Semitic stance of the Malaysian government by removing July’s World Para Swimming Championships from the country. The IPC issued a statement noting that free access to the event was promised when the event was awarded to Kuching in 2017, but a change in the government led to the public announcement that no Israeli swimmer would be allowed into the country for the competition.

The IPC now has to find a new host, but the best choice would be Israel, which has excellent experience with swimming events and has hosted much larger programs, such as the quadrennial Maccabiah. And, of course, Malaysian para-swimmers would be welcome!

ALPINE SKIING

Sunday: Once is a surprise, but twice may be a trend. France’s Clement Noel, 21, beat Austria’s World Cup superstar Marcel Hirscher in the Slalom at Kitzbuehel for the second race in a row. Dominik Paris (ITA) won the Kitzbuehel Downhill, and in Garmisch (GER), Olympic Downhill gold medalist Sofia Goggia returned to competition with silver medals in the Downhill (won by Nicole Schmidhofer/AUT) and Super-G (won by Stephanie Venier/AUT).

ATHLETICS

Saturday: The IAAF World Indoor Tour opened with the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The headliner, Sydney McLaughlin, won the women’s 500 m in fine style, but the stars were Ethiopians Yomif Kejelcha and Hagos Gebrhiwet. Kejelcha won the mile in 3:51.70 and is a threat to break the 22-year-old world indoor mark of 3:48.45. Gebrhiwet took the 3,000 m in 7:37.41 and ran away from Kenya’s Edward Cheserek.

Saturday: While the New Balance meet was on in Boston, there were great marks at the Norb Sander Columbia Challenge in New York, including a 5.71 m (18-8 3/4) clearance from 2018 California State High School champ Sondre Guttormsen (from Norway), now a freshman at UCLA.

Friday: Astonishing results from the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon: Ethiopia’s Getaneh Molla made his marathon debut in 2:03:34 – the fastest first-time marathon ever – and made him the no. 6 performer in history! Countryman Herpassa Negasa ran 2:03:40 … and lost! The women’s winner, Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich ran 2:17:08 for the no. 3 marathon ever, ahead of Worknesh Degefa (ETH), whose 2:17:41 makes her the no. 4 performer in history! Wow!

BADMINTON

Sunday: Upset at the Indonesia Masters in Jakarta, as Denmark’s Anders Antonsen defeated no. 1-ranked Kento Momota (JPN), while India’s Saina Nehwal won over Olympic champ Carolina Marin (ESP), when the latter was injured during the first set.

BIATHLON

Sunday: Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe won two races and was second in a third at the IBU World Cup stop in Antholz-Anterselva (ITA) to tighten his grip on the World Cup seasonal lead. The last seven years have belonged to France’s Martin Fourcade, but who can stop Boe now? Italy’s Dorothea Wierer won one of the women’s races and continues in the seasonal lead.

BOBSLED & SKELETON

Sunday: German sleds had won every World Cup Bobsleigh race this season – 15 in a row – coming into St. Moritz (SUI), but after Francesco Friedrich extended the streak to 16 with a win in the Two-Man, it was Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs of the U.S. who stopped it. They posted a solid win, the fourth in a row – with three different brakemen – for Meyers Taylor at St. Moritz and left the Germans to start a new streak. They did, with Friedrich piloting the Four–Man sled to another win, his fourth in six starts this season.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Sunday: The seventh straight distance win for Norway’s comebacking Therese Johaug, who pounded the competition at Ulricehamn (SWE), taking the 10 km Freestyle race with a 22.8-second win. She’s now closing in on some World Cup history if she keeps winning.

CYCLING

Sunday: The UCI Track Cycling World Cup concluded in Hong Kong and the home fans had lots to cheer for as Wai Sze Lee won both the Sprint and the Keirin, and took the seasonal Keirin title.

Sunday: Down in Australia, Italy’s Elia Viviani mounted a final sprint to win the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race outside of Melbourne.

FENCING

Sunday: A heavy schedule saw current World Champion Yannick Borel (FRA) and former World Champion Julia Beljajeva (EST) win titles in the first Epee Grand Prix of the season in Doha (QAT). There were surprise seconds and thirds, however, including Jacob Hoyle of the U.S., who won his first career Grand Prix medal with a bronze.

In Tokyo, Richard Kruse (GBR) defeated Race Imboden of the U.S. in the final of the Foil World Cup in Tokyo and Russia’s Inna Deriglazova won another women’s Foil World Cup, this one in St. Maur (FRA). France’s Cecilia Berder won the women’s Sabre World Cup in Salt Lake City.

FIGURE SKATING

Friday: A new American women’s skating star? Alysa Liu, just 13, won the U.S. Figure Skating Championship in Detroit, ahead of defending champ Bradie Tennell and Mariah Bell. Liu is so young that she doesn’t qualify to compete in not only the ISU World Championships, but is also barred from the ISU World Junior Champs!

FOOTBALL

Sunday: The Gregg Berhalter Era opened for the U.S. men’s National Team in Glendale, Arizona, with a 3-0 win over a young Panama team. American youngsters Djordje Mihailovic, Walker Zimmerman and Christian Ramirez all scored, as the U.S. dominated possession and the offensive chances for most of the game.

FREESTYLE SKIING

Sunday: Another American teenager scored big, this time at the Slopestyle World Cup in Seiser Alm (ITA). Eileen Gu, 15, won her first World Cup gold, after collecting a silver a couple of weeks ago in France. She was joined on the podium by Julia Krass, 21, who won her first World Cup medal – a bronze – after six seasons on tour. Another U.S. teen, Kiernan Fagan, who his first World Cup medal with a bronze in the men’s Slopestyle.

Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury got back to winning in the men’s Moguls at Tremblant (CAN), for his 54th World Cup victory. France’s Perrine Laffont won the women’s Moguls for her fifth medal in five competitions this season.

HANDBALL

Sunday: Urged on by a capacity crowd in Herning, Denmark won its first-ever men’s World Championship with an impressive 31-22 victory over Norway. Mikkel Hansen led the Danes with seven goals and was named the Most Valuable Player.

JUDO

Saturday: Historic IJF World Tour Grand Prix in Israel saw the home team earn the most medals, including four wins, topped by Or Sasson’s victory in the men’s heavyweight class.

KARATE

Sunday: The first Karate 1 Premier League stop for 2019 was in Paris, but it was Japan that had the strong team, winning four classes and 10 medals overall.

LUGE

Sunday: The FIL World Championships in Winterberg (GER) saw the home team won five of the seven events and extend its streak of leading the medal count to 19 straight Worlds. Felix Loch won his sixth world title in the men’s Singles and Natalie Geisenberger won her fourth in the women’s race. But American Emily Sweeney, who memorably crashed out in PyeongChang, won the bronze medal, her first World Championships medal ever!

NORDIC COMBINED

Sunday: Norway’s Jarl Magnus Riiber hadn’t won in a little while, but he silenced any doubters with two wins over the weekend before home fans in Trondheim (NOR).

RUGBY

Sunday: Fiji won the third leg of the men’s Rugby Sevens tournament, this time in Hamilton (NZL), but the U.S. was second once again. So Fiji and the U.S. are tied at 57 points for the series lead!

SKI JUMPING

Sunday: Sweeps were the order of the weekend, with Austria’s Stefan Kraft winning both events in Sapporo and Norway’s Maren Lundby taking both competitions in Rasnov (ROU). The sweeps moved Kraft into second place in the seasonal World Cup standings and Lundby into the lead.

SNOWBOARD

Sunday: The Slopestyle events at Seiser Alm (ITA) produced first-time winners in Markus Olimstad (NOR) and Isabel Derungs (SUI), and also a silver medal for American Lyon Farrell.

WRESTLING

Sunday: The important Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Siberia saw a Russian sweep of the 10 men’s classes, but Americans Sarah Hildebrandt and Tamyra Mensah-Stock won their classes in the women’s division and three other Americans won medals as the 2019 season got underway.

UPCOMING

Highlights of the coming week, with coverage aplenty coming on TheSportsExaminer.com:

● Athletics: The IAAF World Indoor Tour continues in Karlsruhe (GER).

● Skiing: Start of the FIS World Freestyle and Snowboard Championships in Utah.

Our Stat Pack for a 38-event weekend will be issued later on Monday (we hope).

WRESTLING: Hildebrandt and Mensah-Stock win Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix titles

By
Rich Perelman
-
American wrestling star Tamyra Mensah-Stock (at right)

One of the more important non-championship tournaments of the year was held in Krasnoyarsk (RUS) and showcased once more the power of the Russian men’s team: 10 wins in 10 classes at the 30th Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix.

The Russians were perfect, winning all of the men’s divisions, while the women’s division was split between Russia, Japan, Mongolia and the U.S.

As this was a UWW Ranking Tournament, it drew large fields and although the hosts were best, the American squad had some notable success, including two winners. Sarah Hildebrandt was the champion of the women’s 53 kg division and Tamyra Mensah-Stock continued a remarkable streak by winning her third straight title at this tournament. She dominated the women’s 72 kg class and won the final over Japan’s Yuka Kagami, 4-0.

Mensah-Stock has now won 12 straight matches at the Ivan Yarygin!

The U.S. also got medals from Tom Gilman (bronze: 57 kg) and Alex Dieringer (79 kg) in the men’s competition. Rio Olympic champion Kyle Snyder lost his first match at 97 kg and was eliminated. In the women’s events, Victoria Anthony won a bronze at 50 kg.

While some of the U.S. stars were wrestling in Siberia, the annual Dave Schultz Memorial International was taking place in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bernard Futrell was recognized as the Outstanding Wrestler of the meet for his win at 65 kg. Rio Olympian Frank Molinaro won his second straight Dave Schultz gold with a victory at 70 kg. Summaries:

UWW Ranking Tournament/Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix
Krasnoyarsk (RUS) ~ 24-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men

57 kg: 1. Muslim Sadulaev (RUS); 2. Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS); Third: Lkhangarmaa Narmandakh (MGL) d. Wanhao Zou (CHN), 4-4 (criteria); Tom Gilman (USA) d. Bekhbayar Erdenebat (MGL), 14-8. Final: Sadulaev d. Magemedov, 4-4 (criteria).

61 kg: 1. Magomedrasul Idrisov (RUS); 2. Nikolai Okhlopkov (ROU); Third: Ramazan Ferzaliev (RUS) d. Otgonbaatar Gansukh (MGL), tech. fall (10-0); Eduard Grigoriev (RUS) d. Chinzorig Tsermaa (MGL), 5-0. Final: Idrisov d. Okhlopkov, 7-0.

65 kg: 1. Akhmed Chakaev (RUS); 2. Nachyn Kuular (RUS); Third: Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS) d. Cristian Damian Solenzal Lopez (CUB) , 2-1; Batmagnai Batchuluun (MGL) d. Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL), 4-2. Final: Chakaev d. Kuular, 2-1.

70 kg: 1. Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS); 2. Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL); Third: Byambadorj Enkhbayar (MGL) d. Askhat Slyamkhanov (KAZ), 8-0; Razambek Zhamalov (RUS) d. David Baev (RUS), 8-4. Final: Gazimagemedov d. Ganzorig, tech. fall (10-0).

74 kg: 1. Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS); 2. Yakup Gor (TUR); Third: Magomed Kurbanaliev (RUS) d. Franklin Maren Castillo (CUB), 4-3; Azamat Nurykau (BLR) d. Timur Bizhoev (RUS), 5-3. Final: Sidakov d. Gor, 5-4.

79 kg: 1. Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS); 2. Magomed Ramazanov (RUS); Third: Alex Dieringer (USA) d. Alan Zaseev (RUS), 0-0 (criteria). Final: Gadzhimagomedov d. Ramazanov, 6-2.

86 kg: 1. Dauren Kurugliev (RUS); 2. Fatih Erdin (TUR); Third: Vladislav Valiev (RUS) d. Shota Shirai (JPN), 0-0 (criteria); Uitumen Orgodol (MGL) d. Arturo Silot Torres (CUB), 7-0. Final: Kurugliev d. Erdin, tech. fall (12-1).

92 kg: 1. Magomed Kurbanov (RUS); 2. Batyrbek Tcakulov (RUS); 3. Ulziisaikhan Baasantsogt (MGL); round-robin, no medal matches.

97 kg: 1. Shamil Musaev (RUS); 2. Aliaksandr Hushtyn (BLR); Third: Igor Ovsiannikov (RUS) d. Batzul Ulziisaikhan (MGL), 4-1; Baki Sahin (TUR) d. Namkhai Batdorj (MGL), 4-0. Final: Musaev d. Hushtyn, 11-9.

125 kg: 1. Anzor Khizriev (RUS); 2. Taha Akgul (TUR); Third: Zelimkhan Khizriev (RUS) d. Zhiwei Deng (CHN), 9-7. Final: Khizriev d. Akgul, 7-3.

Women

50 kg: 1. Kika Kagata (JPN); 2. Anzhelika Vetoshkina (RUS); Third: Dauletbike Yakhshimuratova (UZB) d. Anudari Nandintsetseg (MGL), 3-2; Victoria Anthony (USA) d. Elena Vostrikova (RUS), 6-1. Final: Kagata d. Vetoshkina, tech. fall (10-0).

53 kg: 1. Sarah Hildebrandt (USA); 2. Natalia Malysheva (RUS); Third: Leila Karymova (RUS) d. Haley Augello (USA) , 0-0 (criteria); Sumiya Erdenechimeg (MGL) d. Ekaterina Poleshchuk (RUS), 11-6. Final: Hildebrandt d. Malysheva, 6-4.

55 kg: 1. Viktoriia Vaulina (RUS); 2. Nao Taniyama (JPN); Third: Bolortuya Bat Ochir (MGL) d. Ekaterina Verbina (RUS), 7-5. Final: Vaulina d. Taniyama, 7-0.

57 kg: 1. Tserenchimed Sukhee (MGL) 2. Olga Khoroshavtseva (RUS); Third: Bilyana Zhivkova Dudova (BUL) d. Khongorzul Boldsaikhan (MGL), 13 – 9; Grace Jacob Bullen (NOR) d. Becka Leathers (USA), tech. fall (10-0). Final: Sukhee d. Khoroshavtseva, 10-5.

59 kg: 1. Yuzuka Inagaki (JPN); 2. Svetlana Lipatova (RUS); Third: Battsetseg Altantsetseg (MGL) d. Sadraddinova Zelfira (RUS), 7 -4. Final: Inagaki d. Lipatova, 4-3.

62 kg: 1. Anzhela Fomenko (RUS); 2. Anna Shcherbakova (RUS); Third: Uliana Tukurenova (RUS) d. Yaquelin Estornell Elizastigue (CUB), 7-0. Final: Fomenko d. Shcherbakova, 0-0 (criteria).

65 kg: 1. Mariia Kuznetsova (RUS); 2. Misuzu Enomoto (JPN); Third: Bolortungalag Zorigt (MGL) d. Salikhova Dinara (RUS), 8-0; Yulia Prontsevitch (Rus) d. Forrest Molinari (USA), 4-1. Final: Kuznetsova d. Enomoto, 11-4.

68 kg: 1. Battsetseg Soronzonbold (MGL); 2. Davaanasan Enkh Amar (MGL); Third: Khanum Velieva (RUS) d. Iuliia Bartnovskaia (RUS), 9-0; Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan (MGL) d. Rio Watari (JPN, 4-3. Final: Soronzonbold d. Enkh Amar, 4-0.

72 kg: 1. Tamyra Mensah-Stock (USA); 2. Yuka Kagami (JPN); Third: Nasanburmaa Ochirbat (MGL) d. Milaimys De La Caridad Marin Potrille (CUB), 5-4; Evgeniia Zakharchenko (RUS) d. Tatiana Kolesnikova Morozova (RUS) , 8-4. Final: Mensah-Stock d. Kagami, 4-0.

76 kg: 1. Hiroe Minagawa Suzuki (JPN); 2. Vasilisa Marzaliuk (BLR); Third: Aline Focken (GER) d. Mabelkis Capote Perez (CUB), 4-0; Elmira Syzdykova (KAZ) d. Shakhribonu Ellieva (UZB), 12-2. Final: Suzuki d. Marzaliuk, 3-1.

Dave Schultz Memorial International
Colorado Springs, Colorao (USA) ~ 24-26 January 2019
(Full results here; all U.S. unless noted)

57 kg Freestyle: 1. Anatolii Buruian (MLD); 2. Steven Takahashi (CAN). Third: Darian Cruz d. Darthe Capellan (CAN), 2-1. Final: Buruian d. Takahashi, tech. fall, 14-4.

61 kg Freestyle: 1. Cody Brewer; 2. Samat Nadyrbek Uulu (KGZ); Third: Ben Whitford tech. fall Shelton Mack, 13-0. Final: Brewer tech. fall Uulu, 10-0.

65 kg Freestyle: 1. Bernard Futrell; 2. Evan Henderson; Third: Bryce Meredith d. Andrew Alirez, 7-2. Final: Futrell d. Henderson, 10-0

70 kg Freestyle: 1. Frank Molinaro; 2. Brandon Sorensen; Third: Dave Habat (SLO) dec. Sammy Sasso, 5-3. Final: Molinaro d. Sorensen, 3-1.

74 kg Freestyle: 1. Richie Lewis; 2. Dan Vallimont; Third: Joey Lavallee pinned Lavion Mayes, 5:09. Final: Lewis d. Valladont, tech. fall, 10-0.

79 kg Freestyle: 1. Aaron Brooks; 2. Nathan Jackson; Third: C.J. Brucki tech. fall D.J. Shannon, 12-2. Final: Brooks d. Jackson, tech. fall, 13-0.

86 kg Freestyle: 1. Pat Downey; 2. Kenneth Courts; Third: Brett Pfarr d. Joe Rau, 20-7. Final: Downey d. Courts, tech. fall, 12-2.

92 kg Freestyle: 1. Timothy Dudley; 2. Scottie Boykin; Third: Lucas Davison d. Joshua Manu, 8-8. Final: Dudley d. Boykin, 8-6.

97 kg Freestyle: 1. Ty Walz; 2. Blaize Cabell; Third: Kevin Beazley d. Evan Ramos (PUR), 7-7. Final: Walz d. Cabell, tech. fall, 11-0.

125 kg Freestyle: 1. Michael Kosoy; 2. Jere Heino (FIN); Third: Dom Bradley d. Tanner Hall, 4-1. Final: Kosoy d. Heino, tech. fall, 10-0.

SNOWBOARD: Olimstad and Derungs are first-time winners at Seiser Alm

By
Rich Perelman
-
Airborne: Norway's Markus Olimstad (Photo: FIS)

The weekend’s Freestyle and Snowboard events at Seiser Alm (ITA) brought out some new talent, including two Slopestyle winners who got to the top of the podium for the first time.

Norway’s Markus Olimstad, 25, had never finished higher than fifth in a World Cup event, but his 88.00 on his second run was enough to give him his first World Cup gold. He got past American Lyon Farrell, 20, who won his second World Cup medal after also finishing second there last year!

Swiss Isabel Derungs is 31 and hadn’t won a World Cup medal since 2013, but she was the winner in Seiser Alm at 79.15, edging Canada’s Brooke Voigt (76.00). It’s the third career World Cup medal for Derungs; both of the others came at Copper Mountain. Summaries:

FIS Snowboard World Cup
Moscow (RUS) ~ 26-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Parallel Slalom/ Big Final: 1. Andrey Sobolev (RUS); 2. Dario Caviezel (SUI). Small Final: 3. Maksim Rogozin (RUS); 4. Arvid Auner (AUT).

Women’s Parallel Slalom/ Big Final: 1. Julie Zogg (SUI); 2. Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT); Small Final: 3. Anastasia Kurochkina (RUS); 4. Maria Valova (RUS0.

Team Parallel Slalom/ Big Final: 1. Daniela Ulbing/Benjamin Karl (AUT); 2. Natalia Soboleva/Andrey Sobolev (RUS). Small Final: 3. Julie Zogg/Dario Caviezel (SUI); 4. Nadya Ochner/Aaron March (ITA).

FIS Snowboard World Cup
Seiser Alm (ITA) ~ 24-26 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Slopestyle: 1. Markus Olimstad (NOR), 88.00; 2. Lyon Farrell (USA), 87.20; 3. Stian Kleivdal (NOR), 84.75; 4. Ryan Stassel (USA), 82.60; 5. Emil Zulian (ITA), 78.05. Also: 7. Sean Fitzsimons (USA), 76.00.

Women’s Slopestyle: 1. Isabel Derungs (SUI), 79.15; 2. Brooke Voigt (CAN), 76.00; 3. Jasmine Baird (CAN), 73.25; 4. Sina Candrian (SUI), 72.45; 5. Emmi Parkkisenniemi (FIN), 60.85.

SKI JUMPING: Austria’s Kraft and Norway’s Lundby sweep weekend jumps

By
Rich Perelman
-
Norway's ski jumping star Maren Lundby

Two jumpers – Austria’s Stefan Kraft and Norway’s Maren Lundby – dominated the men’s and women’s competitions this weekend in Japan and Romania.

Kraft (AUT), the 2017 World Cup champion, moved up to second in the World Cup standings with his 14th and 15th career World Cup wins in Sapporo (JPN). He’s now won three events in a row and four on the season.

With just 16 of 28 events completed on the season, he still has a shot at the World Cup leader, Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi, who finished fifth and third in Sapporo, and still leads 1,233-781. But Kraft is going to have to keep up the pressure.

In Rasnov (ROM), Norway’s reigning World Cup champ Lundby sailed into the seasonal World Cup lead with wins in both events, edging Germans Katharina Althaus in the first event and Carina Vogt in the second. She now leads Althaus, 788-747 after 11 of 24 events this season. Summaries:

FIS Ski Jumping World Cup
Sapporo (JPN) ~ 26-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s 137 m hill I: 1. Stefan Kraft (AUT), 270.1; 2. Kamil Stoch (POL), 260.3; 3. Robert Johansson (NOR), 256.7; 4. Roman Koudelka (CZE), 252.7; 5. Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN), 250.5.

Men’s 137 m hill II: 1. Kraft (AUT), 248.2; 2. Timi Zajc (SLO), 238.4; 3. Kobayashi (JPN), 236.6; 4. Piotr Zyla (POL), 236.1; 5. Halvor Egner Granerud (NOR), 236.1.

FIS Ski Jumping World Cup
Rasnov (ROU) ~ 26-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Women’s 97 m hill I: 1. Maren Lundby (NOR), 247.8; 2. Katharina Althaus (GER), 236.9; 3. Sara Takanashi (JPN), 236.8; 4. Juliane Seyfarth (GER), 228.3; 5. Nika Kriznar (SLO), 227.5. Also in the top 25: 20. Nita Englund (USA), 181.9.

Women’s 97 m hill II: 1. Lundby (NOR), 247.6; 2. Carina Vogt (GER), 240.3; 3. Seyfarth (GER), 237.8; 4. Eva Pinkelnig (AUT), 232.8; 5. Althaus (GER), 232.1.

RUGBY: Fiji beats U.S. for the second straight tournament, this time in Hamilton

By
Rich Perelman
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The U.S. Eagles have never finished higher than fifth in any season of the HSBC men’s Sevens Series, but they showed once again they are serious contenders for honors in 2019.

The U.S. and Fiji faced off in the final of the Sevens Series in Hamilton (NZL) over the weekend, just as in Cape Town (RSA), and the result was the same. Fiji won the final easily, shutting down the U.S. attack, 38-0.

Both teams won all of their pool matches, then Fiji marched through the playoffs, defeating Canada, 33-7; South Africa, 29-7 and then the U.S. in the final. The American squad sailed past Scotland, 19-14; then out-scored New Zealand, 17-7 in the semis to reach the final once again.

After three of 10 stops, both Fiji and the U.S. have 57 points, but Fiji ranks higher with its two wins in the last three weeks. New Zealand defeated South Africa, 29-7, to take third in Hamilton.

The tour heads to Australia next week for matches in Sydney on 2-3 February.

NORDIC COMBINED: Riiber back on a roll, sweeps both Trondheim races

By
Rich Perelman
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Norway's Jarl Magnus Riiber (Photo: Granada vai Wikipedia)

Norway’s Jarl Magnus Riiber, the 21-year-old star of this year’s World Cup tour, regained his edge with two impressive wins in front of his home fans in Trondheim (NOR).

Riiber had been in a mild slump – for him – after not winning since 6 January, but he rebounded with impressive wins by almost five seconds in the first race and just 1.2 seconds over Germany’s Vinzenz Geiger in the second.

He now owns a 1,058-701 lead over Johannes Rydzek (GER) with six races left on the schedule. Summaries:

FIS Nordic Combined World Cup
Trondheim (NOR) ~ 26-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Gundersen 138 m hill/10.0 km I: 1. Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR), 25:03.7; 2. Magnus Krol (NO), 25:08.2; 3. Wilhelm Denifl (AUT), 25:27.8; 4. Akito Watabe (JPN), 25:51.6; 5. Vinzenz Geiger (GER), 26:04.5.

Gundersen 138 m hill/10.0 km II: 1. Riiber (NOR), 26:15.0; 2. Geiger (GER), 26:16.2; 3. Joergen Graabak (NOR), 26:17.5; 4. Franz-Josef Rehrl (AUT), 26:18.7; 5. Watabe (JPN), 26:20.0.

LUGE: Germany wins five of seven titles at World Championships in Winterberg

By
Rich Perelman
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Worlds bronze medalist Emily Sweeney (USA). (Photo: Sandro Halank via Wikipedia Commons)

There was little doubt that Germany would dominate the Luge World Championships, as it had for the prior 18 editions going back to 1995. And for the 19th time in a row, Germany took top honors, winning five of the seven events and winning 12 of the 21 available medals.

But that doesn’t mean it was boring. In the women’s division, Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger was the fastest in both heats and won her fourth world title, and four in the last five years. Her time of 1:53.868 edged teammate Julia Taubitz (GER: 1:54.293), with a surprise in third place, Emily Sweeney of the U.S. (1:54.381).

This was the first-ever Worlds medal for Sweeney, who sat fourth after the first run, but had the second-fastest run in the field for the second race and moved up to the podium.

“I don’t know if it’s totally hit me yet,” said Sweeney just after the competition. “But I said going into this season, and going into this (Olympic) quad really, that knowing I did have an injury last year, I wasn’t looking for overall medals. I wanted the big medals. I want Worlds medals and I want an Olympic medal, so to actually have one is crazy. I’m quite happy with that.”

Sweeney crashed in PyeongChang last year at the Winter Games, but made the most of it through motivation. “What happened in Pyeongchang made me mentally stronger, in general. All the clichés are true: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I’ve had a really challenging year and I think I’m better for it. Ten, 11 months ago I was pretty miserable, not gonna lie. The difference from then to now, does seem unreal. And all I can say is time makes things better. Time and a lot of work.”

Summer Britcher of the U.S. finished fifth, just 0.056 from a medal. She was third going into the second run, but had only the sixth-fastest time on the final race.

Germany’s Geisenberger, Taubitz and Dajana Eitberger swept the women’s Sprint race, with Sweeney fourth.

The men’s title returned to Germany’s Felix Loch, who won his sixth World Championship, but first since 2017. He led from the start and maintained his lead with the second-fastest second run in the field. Austria’s Reinhard Egger, who has had an excellent World Cup season, came all the way from fifth after the first run to claim the silver medal; he was the fastest in the field on the final run.

The men’s Doubles title went, for the second year in a row, to Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken (GER), with Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt (GER) – themselves three-time champions – finishing second for the second straight year. Austria’s Thomas Steu and Lorenz Koller were third and the same three won the Sprint medals, in the same order.

All told, Germany won 12 medals to five for Austria, three for Russia and one for the U.S., as luge remains essentially a German province. Summaries:

FIL World Championships
Winterberg (GER) ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Singles: 1. Felix Loch (GER), 1:44.250; 2. Reinhard Egger (AUT), 1:44.350; 3. Semen Pavlichenko (RUS), 1:44.363; 4. Johannes Ludwig (GER), 1:44.413; 5. Chris Rene Eissler (GER), 1:44.568; 6. Roman Repilov (RUS), 1:44.577; 7. Dominik Fischnaller (ITA), 1:44.669; 8. Wolfgang Kindl (AUT), 1:44.731. Also: 9. Tucker West (USA), 1:44.839; … 14. Jonathan Gustafson (USA), 1:45.105

Men’s Sprint: 1. Jonas Mueller (AUT), 35.835; 2. Felix Loch (GER), 35.859; 3. Semen Pavlichenko (RUS), 35.889; 4. Johannes Ludwig (GER), 35.914; 5. Kristers Aparjods (LAT), 35.954; 6. Reinhard Egger (AUT), 35.963; 7. Chris Rene Eissler (GER), 35.968; 8. Wolfgang Kindl (AUT), 35.988.

Men’s Doubles: 1. Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken (GER), 1:27.256; 2. Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt (GER), 1:27.334; 3. Thomas Steu/Lorenz Koller (AUT), 1:27.397; 4. Oskars Gudramovics/Peteris Kalnins (LAT), 1:27.418; 5. Andris Sics/Juris Sics (LAT), 1:27.452; 6. Ludwig Rieder/Patrick Rastner (ITA), 1:27.552; 7. Vladislav Yuzhakov/Iurii Prokhorov (RUS), 1:27.617; 8. Wojciech Jerzy Chmielewski/Jakub Kowalewski (POL), 1:27.667. Also: 11. Chris Mazdzer/Jayson Terdiman (USA), 1:27.720

Men’s Doubles Sprint: 1. Eggert/Benecken (GER), 30.812; 2. Wendl/Arlt (GER), 30.824; 3. Steu/Koller (AUT), 30.829; 4. Sics/Sics (LAT), 30.868; 5. Mazdzer/Terdiman (USA), 30.895; 6. Vsevolod Kashkin/Konstantin Korshunov (RUS), 30.960; 7. R.J. Geueke/David Gamm (GER), 30.979; 8. Ludwig Rieder/Patrick Rastner (ITA), 30.983.

Women’s Singles: 1. Natalie Geisenberger (GER), 1:53.868; 2. Julia Taubitz (GER), 1:54.293; 3. Emily Sweeney (USA), 1:54.381; 4. Tatyana Ivanova (RUS), 1:54.424; 5. Summer Britcher (USA), 1:54.437; 6. Ulla Zirne (LAT), 1:54.633; 7. Andrea Voetter (ITA), 1:54.652; 8. Ekaterina Baturina (RUS), 1:54.662.

Women’s Singles Sprint: 1. Geisenberger (GER), 38.628; 2. Taubitz (GER), 38.635; 3. Dajana Eitberger (GER), 38.688; 4. Sweeney (USA), 38.747; 5. Tatjana Huefner (GER), 38.794; 6. Baturina (RUS), 38.801; 7. Ivanova (RUS), 38.819; 8. Britcher (USA), 38.896.

Team Relay: 1. Russia (Ivanova, Pavlichenko, Yuzhakov/Prokhorov), 2:24.116; 2. Austria (Prock, Egger, Steu/Koller), 2:24.624; 3. Germany (Geisenberger, Loch, Eggert/Benecken), 2:24.647; 4. Italy, 2:24.809; 5. Canada, 2:24.875; 6. United States (Emily Sweeney, Jonathan Gustafson, Chris Mazdzer/Jayson Terdiman), 2:25.147.

LANE ONE: International Paralympic Committee to Malaysia: no Israel, no World Championships

By
Rich Perelman
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It has not been lost on observers of the Olympic Movement that if you want to find an organization with a disciplinary backbone, look no further than the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

When the Russian doping scandal popped up prior to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the International Olympic Committee equivocated and left eligibility up to the International Federations, most of whom just let Russia in. The IPC banned the Russians entirely for Rio, allowed 30 Russian athletes competing as neutrals for the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang and still has the Russians on suspension, pending resolution of the IPC’s own conditions for reinstatement.

On Sunday, the IPC Governing Board faced its latest problem. Malaysia was awarded the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, to be held in Kuching, but the Malaysian government specifically banned Israel from competing there, with Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah announcing to local media that “Even if we have already committed to hosting an event, they will not be allowed (into the country). Secondly, Malaysia will not host any event that has representation from or participation of Israel.”

Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country – about 61% – which gives strong support to the Palestinian cause. Its national passports specifically state that they are not valid in Israel.

So, the IPC took up the issue and came to the obvious and clear solution: If Malaysia will not allow everyone to compete there, the event will not be held there. The statement of new IPC President Andrew Parsons included:

“All World Championships must be open to all eligible athletes and nations to compete safely and free from discrimination. When a host country excludes athletes from a particular nation, for political reasons, then we have absolutely no alternative but to look for a new Championships host.

“The Paralympic Movement has, and always will be, motivated by a desire to drive inclusion, not exclusion. Regardless of the countries involved in this matter, the IPC would take the same decision again if it was to face a similar situation involving different countries.

“In September 2017 when the IPC signed the contract with the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (NPC Malaysia) to host the World Para Swimming Championships, we had assurances that all eligible athletes and countries would be allowed to participate in the event with their safety assured.

“Since then, there has been a change of political leadership and the new Malaysian government has different ideas. Politics and sport are never a good mix and we are disappointed that Israeli athletes would not have been allowed to compete in Malaysia.”

The reactions were predictable, as Malaysia condemned the decision and Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon tweeted the decision “is a victory of values over hatred and bigotry, a strong statement in favor of freedom and equality. Thank you @Paralympics for your brave decision!!!”

Now comes the hard part for the IPC, finding a new host for the event, which is expected to draw about 600 swimmers from 60 countries. The IPC statement noted:

“As a result of the Board’s decision today, we are now looking for a new host for this vital World Championships, which acts as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. We will strive to maintain the same dates and conditions for the Championships as to not upset the training schedules of athletes who aim to peak for the end of July and early August. However, we may need to be flexible in this area bearing in mind the circumstances we face.”

The IPC called for potential hosts to come forward by 11 February 2019, and there will undoubtedly be takers. But this offers a special opportunity for Israel, which has quite a bit of experience in hosting swimming events, in Haifa or Tel Aviv; the 2017 Maccabiah had 712 swimmers from 34 countries compete, as part of the more than 10,000 entries from a record 85 countries.

It’s an opportunity not to be missed by Israel, which could welcome Malaysian swimmers and issue a special visa for them to compete.

Beyond the swimming itself, this was an important decision for the IPC and enhances its attractiveness as an organization which makes a stand for inclusion, its core value in offering sports opportunities for physically-challenged athletes.

The IOC has discussed this a lot, and there has been talk that a country which will not welcome competitors from all nations – especially Israel and Kosovo – will not be allowed to host any significant events. But the IPC made a stand, and will be rewarded with a higher profile and more respect.

The next test of inclusion in sports is coming soon, as the 2019 Special Olympics World Games will be held in Abu Dhabi (UAE) from 14-21 March. Israel and the UAE have no diplomatic relations and the UAE does not formally recognize Israel.

Further, Israeli competitors were not allowed to wear national symbols on their uniforms, or have their flag raised at victory ceremonies in a 2017 International Judo Federation Grand Prix event in Abu Dhabi. The IJF quickly suspended any further tournaments in the UAE until it welcomed all competitors equally and the UAE agreed to them. An Israeli fighter won a gold medal – and had her flag raised and the national anthem played – at the same tournament in 2018. The IJF held its first-ever Grand Prix event in Israel this past weekend.

However, there have been increased contacts between Israel and the UAE of late, notably on defense matters. The expectations are that Israel will be welcomed in Abu Dhabi; let’s hope so.

We have noted previously that the IOC and related organizations like the IPC and the Special Olympics can claim far more relevance in today’s troubled world with decisions and statutes that emphasize inclusion and tolerance, and actions which back these concepts up strongly.

Congratulations to the IPC for making a stand against Malaysia’s insistence on anti-Semitism; hopefully, its courage is contagious.

Rich Perelman
Editor

KARATE: Japan wins four classes and France two in Premier 1 League opener in Paris

By
Rich Perelman
-

The first Karate 1 Premier League event of 2019 drew a big field of 755 karatekas from 80 nations to compete at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris (FRA), but – as usual – it was Japan that was seen most often at the top of the podium.

Japan won four classes all together: two each in the men’s and women’s divisions, including both Kata titles by Ryo Kiyuna and Kiyou Shimizu. Ken Nishimura won in the men’s -75 class and Ayumi Uekusa won the women’s +68 kg class.

France was the only other country to win more than one class. Summaries:

WKF Karate 1 Premier League
Paris (FRA) ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men

Kata: 1. Ryo Kiyuna (JPN); 2. Damian Quintero (ESP); 3. Issei Shimbaba (JPN) and Kazumasa Moto (JPN).

Team Kata: 1. Kuwait; 2. Spain; 3. Turkey and Morocco.

Kumite -60 kg: 1. Majid Hassan (IRI); 2. Angelo Crescenzo (ITA); 3. Darkhan Assadilov (KAZ) and Evgeny Plakhutin (RUS).

Kumite -67 kg: 1. Steven Dacosta (FRA); 2. Luca Maresca (ITA); 3. Didar Amirali (KAZ) and Assylbek Muratov (KAZ).

Kumite -75 kg: 1. Ken Nishimura (JPN); 2. Rafael Aghayev (AZE); 3. Ali Ashgar Asiabari (IRI) and Stanislav Horuna (UKR).

Kumite -84 kg: 1. Anton Isakau (BLR); 2. Mahani Mahdi Ghararizadeh (IRI); 3. Rikito Shimada (JPN) and Mohamed Ahmed (EGY).

Kumite +84 kg: 1. Gogita Arkania (GEO); 2. Saleh Abazari (IRI); 3. Sajad Ganjzadeh (IRI) and Mehdi Filali (FRA).

Women

Kata: 1. Kiyou Shimizu (JPN); 2. Sandra Sanchez (ESP); 3. Viviana Bottaro (ITA) and Hikaru Ono (JPN).

Team Kata: 1. Russia; 2. Iran; 3. Italy and Morocco.

Kumite -50 kg: 1. Serap Ozcelik Arapoglu (TUR); 2. Miho Miyahara (JPN); 3. Jessica de Paula (BRA) and Shara Hubrich (GER).

Kumite -55 kg: 1. Anzhelika Terliuga (UKR); 2. Dorota Banaszczyk (POL); 3. Lorena Busa (ITA) and Shiori Nakamura (JPN).

Kumite -61 kg: 1. Gwen Philippe (FRA); 2. Giana Lotfy (EGY); 3. Merve Coban (TUR) and Laura Sivert (FRA).

Kumite -68 kg: 1. Elena Quirici (SUI); 2. Kayo Someya (JPN); 3. Paulina Ramos (MEX) and Johanna Kneer (GER).

Kumite +68 kg: 1. Ayumi Uekusa (JPN); 2. Nancy Garcia (FRA); 3. Menna Shaaban Okila (EGY) and Ayaka Saito (JPN).

HANDBALL: Denmark wins first-ever World Championship … at home!

By
Rich Perelman
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Most Valuable Player Mikkel Hansen leads Denmark to the 2019 World Championship

The 26th IHF men’s World Championships had a fairy-tale ending as Denmark won its first world title with a 31-22 win at the Jysje Bank Boxen in Herning (DEN) in front of a full house of 15,003 screaming Danes.

The Danes took an 18-11 halftime lead and never relinquished control, with scoring ace Mikkel Hansen tallying seven goals for the winners. He had help from Morten Toft Olsen (5) and three players who had four each: Rasmus Lauge, Lasse Svan and Mads Mensah. Norway was led by Magnus Jondal, who had 9 goals; no one else had more than three.

The event was co-hosted for the first time ever, by Germany and Denmark and the Germans finished fourth, losing to France, 26-25, in the bronze-medal match.

The tournament all-star team included :

● Goalkeeper: Niklas Landin Jacobsen (DEN)
● Left wing: Magnus Jondal (NOR)
● Left back: Sander Sagosen (NOR)
● Center back: Rasmus Lauge (DEN)
● Right back: Fabian Wiede (GER)
● Right wing: Ferran Sole (ESP)
● Pivot: Bjarte Myrhol (NOR)
● Most Valuable: Mikkel Hansen (DEN)

Hansen ended up as the leading scorer, with 72 goals, followed by Jondal (59) and Sole (58).

The tournament was a substantial success, as attendance of 906, 283 was recorded, an average of 9,440 per match, including some early-round games that drew very few fans.

The final standings: 1. Denmark; 2. Norway; 3. France; 4. Germany; 5. Sweden; 6. Croatia; 7. Spain; 8. Egypt; 9. Brazil; 10. Hungary; 11. Iceland; 12. Tunisia; 13. Qatar; 14. Russia; 15. Macedonia; 16. Chile; 17. Argentina; 18. Serbia; 19. Austria; 20. Bahrain; 21. Saudi Arabia; 22. Korea (unified team); 23. Angola; 24. Japan.

JUDO: Israel leads medal count at first-ever Grand Prix in Tel Aviv

By
Rich Perelman
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Israel's judoka Or Sasson (Photo: Agencia Brasil/Fernando Frazao via Wikipedia)

Having an IJF Grand Prix in Israel was itself a landmark occasion, but even better for the hosts was the strong performance of the home team.

Israel led all nations on the medal table with seven (4-2-1), getting wins from Sagi Muki (men’s 81 kg), Or Sasson (men’s +100 kg), Shira Rishony (women’s -48 kg) and Timna Nelson Levy (women’s -57 kg).

There were 373 judokas from 53 countries; following the Israelis on the medal table was Italy (6: 2-3-1) and Russia (6: 0-1-5) and Ukraine (5: 0-4-1). Summaries:

IJF World Tour/Tel Aviv Grand Prix
Tel Aviv (ISR) ~ 24-26 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men

-60 kg: 1. Jorre Verstraeten (BEL); 2. Tornike Tsjakadoea (NED); 3. Cedric Revol (NED) and Albert Oguzov (RUS).

-66 kg: 1. Manuel Lombardo (ITA); 2. Bogdan Iadov (UKR); 3. Alberto Gaitero Martin (ESP) and Islam Khametov (RUS).

-73 kg: 1. Vadzim Shoka (BLR); 2. Giovanni Esposito (ITA); 3. Tohar Butbul (ISR) and Artem Khomula (UKR).

-81 kg: 1. Sagi Muki (ISR); 2. Ivaylo Ivanov (BUL); 3. Christian Parlati (ITA) and Sami Chouchi (BEL).

-90 kg: 1. Axel Clerget (FRA); 2. Nicholas Mungai (ITA); 3. Mammadali Mehdiyev (AZE) and Jesper Smink (NED).

-100 kg: 1. Alexandre Iddir (FRA); 2. Benjamin Fletcher (IRL); 3. Grigori Minaskin (EST) and Kayhan Ozcicek-Takagi (AUS).

+100 kg: 1. Or Sasson (ISR); 2. Yakiv Khammo (UKR); 3. Anton Krivobokov (RUS) and Aliaksandr Vakhaviak (BLR).

Women

-48 kg: 1. Shira Rishony (ISR); 2. Maryna Cherniak (UKR); 3. Nathalia Brigida (BRA) and Eva Csernoviczki (HUN).

-52 kg: 1. Majlinda Kelemendi (KOS); 2. Gili Cohen (ISR); 3. Andreea Chitu (ROU) and Fabienne Kocher (SUI).

-57 kg: 1. Timna Nelson Levy (ISR); 2. Daria Mezhetskaia (RUS); 3. Nekoda Smythe-Davis (GBR) and Ivelina Ilieva (BUL).

-63 kg: 1. Maria Centracchio (ITA); 2. Inbal Shemesh (ISR); 3. Valentina Kostenko (RUS) and Sanne Vermeer (NED).

-70 kg: 1. Anna Bernholm (SWE); 2. Alice Bellandi (ITA); 3. Sanne van Dijke (NED) and Megan Fletcher (IRL).

-78 kg: 1. Klara Apotekar (SLO); 2. Loriana Kuka (KOS); 3. Aleksandra Babintseva (RUS) and Katie-Jemima Yeats-Brown (GBR).

+78 kg: 1. Iryna Kindzerska (AZE); 2. Yelyzaveta Kalanina (UKR); 3. Rochele Nunes (POR) and Anamari Velensek (SLO).

FREESTYLE SKIING: Eileen Gu, 15, takes World Cup Slopestyle in Seiser Alm!

By
Rich Perelman
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In the Seiser Alm victory stand: Megan Oldham (CAN) and Eileen Gu and Julia Krass of the U.S. (Photo: FIS)

Now this is getting interesting. Another sensational teen from California making noise on the FIS World Cup circuit? Yes, it’s Eileen Gu, the 15-year-old San Francisco sensation!

After winning her first World Cup medal – a silver – on 12 January in Font Romeu (FRA), she claimed her first World Cup win with a final-round performance in Seiser Alm (ITA). Standing fourth going into the final round, she produced an excellent ride and was rewarded with a score of 84.40 that held up for the victory.

“I’m still buzzing from winning today,” said Gu afterwards. “Coming into the final run of three after messing up my first two definitely wasn’t easy, especially after qualifying first into finals. I just tried to focus on the little things in my run and it looks like it paid off! When I received my score I was astounded and ecstatic to get my first World Cup win. Not to mention, being able to share the podium with Julia made it even better.”

Megan Oldham of Canada, who took the first-round lead at 83.00, finished second and American Julia Krass finished third with her second-round run that scored 77.30. It’s Krass’s first-ever World Cup medal, after six years on the tour.

“Super happy to grab third today,” said Krass, 21. “It was a really sick week here. The course was really fun, and training went well all week. Unfortunately, I couldn’t put together the run I was hoping for today, but still so happy to land and snag third place. Everyone crushed it the whole week, especially Eileen and Megan!”

Canada’s Max Moffatt won the men’s Slopestyle, ahead of Sweden’s Oliwer Magnusson and another new American medalist, Kiernan Fagan, 17, who scored his first career World Cup medal as well.

In Mont Tremblant, Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury got back to winning in the men’s Moguls competition for his 54th career win. France’s Perrine Laffont won for the second time this season in the women’s Moguls and has now won a medal in all five events this season.

At the U.S. Aerials Championships at Lake Placid, New York, Chris Lillis and Winter Vinecki won the national titles. Lillis finished ahead of his brother, Jon Lillis, and Nick Novak in the men’s division; Madison Varmette and Kaila Kuhn went 2-3 for the women.

Both Chris Lillis and Vinecki were coming back from injuries. Said Vinecki, “It feels amazing to land some nice jumps when it counts! Becoming the U.S. National Champion is a huge confidence boost for the rest of the season to come! It is even more rewarding though because this event is almost exactly one year since my ACL surgery. Being able to come back strong with a start to my best season yet makes all the hard work worth it!”

No detailed results for the Aerials were available at posting time; summaries:

FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup
Mont Tremblant (CAN) ~26 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Moguls: 1. Mikael Kingsbury (CAN), 86.73; 2. Ikuma Horishima (JPN), 85.02; 3. Dmitriy Reikherd (KAZ), 83.42; 4. Matt Graham (CAN), 82.60; 5. Benjamin Cavet (FRA), 81.63.

Women’s Moguls: 1. Perrine Laffont (FRA), 75.51; 2. Jakara Anthony (AUS), 75.08; 3. Justine Dufour-Lapointe (CAN), 73.67; 4. Chloe Dufour-Lapointe (CAN), 72.23; 5. Jaelin Kauf (USA), 72.07.

FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup
Seiser Alm (ITA) ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Slopestyle: 1. Max Moffatt (CAN), 83.10; 2. Oliwer Magnusson (SWE), 82.35; 3. Kiernan Fagan (USA), 81.00; 4. Colby Stevenson (USA), 80.25; 5. Eirik Sateroy (NOR), 76.45. Also: 9. Ryan Stevenson (USA), 59.35.

Women’s Slopestyle: 1. Eileen Gu (USA), 84.40; 2. Megan Oldham (CAN), 83.00; 3. Julia Krass (USA), 77.30; 4. Marin Hamill (USA), 74.95; 5. Lara Wolf (AUT), 56.30. Also: 6. Rell Harwood (USA), 38.85.

FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup
Blue Mountain (CAN) ~ 25-26 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Ski Cross: 1. Brady Leman (CAN); 2. Bastien Midol (FRA); 3. Johannes Rohrweck (AUT); 4. Marc Bischofberger (SUI).

Women’s Ski Cross: 1. Fanny Smith (SUI); 2. Marielle Thompson (CAN); 3. Alizee Baron (FRA); 4. Brittany Phelan (CAN).

FOOTBALL: U.S. man’s National Team sails past Panama in debut for coach Gregg Berhalter

By
Rich Perelman
-
U.S. midfielder Djordje Mihailovic

It was only a friendly, with five first-time national-team players for the U.S. and six for Panama, but a win is a win and the U.S. will take it: 3-0 over Panama in Glendale, Arizona.

It was the first game and first win for new U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter, himself a U.S. National Team players with 44 appearances from 1994-2006.

The U.S. was easily the better team for almost the entire match. The U.S. was more aggressive and created several good chances in the first half, mostly around striker Gyasi Zardes in the middle of the box, notably in the 25th minute.

The American side got the only goal of the first half on a brilliant cross from the right side by debut midfielder Corey Baird into the middle of the field, which was rocketed into the goal off the right foot of another debutante, Djordje Mihailovic, in the 40th minute.

The U.S. had control of the game throughout the second half. Rookie defender Nick Lima made a brilliant play on a takeaway tackle, then sent a perfect ball to the front of goal, where Walker Zimmerman headed it in for a 2-0 lead in the 80th minute.

The U.S. got a final goal in the 89th minute, as first-time U.s. midfielder Jonathan Lewis flew down the left side and left-footed a pass right in front of goal that was tapped in by rookie striker Christian Ramirez for the 3-0 finale.

The U.S. will play again next Saturday in San Jose, California against Costa Rica, a team that hammered the U.S. in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

FIGURE SKATING: Chen wins third U.S. title; Hubbell & Donohue win their second

By
Rich Perelman
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World Champion Nathan Chen of the U.S. (Photo: ISU)

After the shock of 13-year-old Alysa Liu winning the U.S. women’s title on Friday, it was business as usual for the remainder of the U.S. Figure Skating National Championships.

Nathan Chen, still just 19, won his third straight U.S. title and Ice Dance stars Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue were clear winners as well.

Chen just overwhelmed the field, scoring an outstanding 113.42 in the Short Program to lead by almost 13 points over Jason Brown. Chen then scored a sensational 228.80 in the Free Skate to compile a score of 342.22. By comparison, he scored 318.47 to win the 2017 title and 315.23 last season. In fact, it’s his highest score ever – by a lot – bettering his 321.40 to win the 2018 World Championships.

“The score definitely took me by surprise,” Chen said. “It was a lot bigger than I was expecting, but ultimately scores are scores. I’m happy with what I did and hopefully I can continue to do that in other competitions.”

Chen completed four quadruple jumps in his routine and had a 58.21-point margin of victory over runner-up Vincent Zhou who passed Jason Brown for silver during the Free Skate.

Chen also became the first three-time champion since Johnny Weir (2004–06). In case you’re wondering, the record is seven in a row by Roger Turner (1928-34) and Dick Button (1946-52).

Hubbell and Donohue defended their Ice Dance title from 2018, extending their streak of finishing in the top three in the nationals to five years. They also led in both the Rhythm Dance and the Free Dance and ended with a 4.36-point margin over Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the seventh straight top-three finish for the latter (including the 2015 national title).

“I think in this performance, more than ever before, Zach and I were really connected,” Hubbell said. “We kept looking into each other’s eyes, so we created a bubble and there wasn’t a realization until the end. We were in bubble time, but to find a way to open up our bubble and see everyone standing, it was really special.”

The Pairs competition saw Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc move from second after the Short Program to first after the Free Skate, to win their first national title.

“It was just amazing to watch each day that we came back, adding one little thing at a time,” said LeDuc, noting Cain’s head injury last December. “It was like building a castle almost, one brick at a time. There were some really difficult times that we had to push through. Through all of that we relied on each other and came closer together. I said it after the short program and I’ll say it again, it’s been so inspiring for me to watch Ashley push through this and overcome all of these challenges day by day.”

For the World Championships, the U.S. will send Chen, Zhou and Brown in the men’s division, Bradie Tennell and Mariah Bell for the women (Liu is too young), Cain and LeDuc in Pairs and Hubbel and Donohue, Chock and Bates and Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker in Ice Dance. Summaries:

U.S. Figure Skating National Championships
Detroit, Michigan (USA) ~ 24-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men: 1. Nathan Chen, 342.22 (1st in Short Program + 1st in Free Skate); 2. Vincent Zhou, 284.01 (3+2); 3. Jason Brown, 273.08 (2+3); 4. Tomoki Hiwatashi, 253.28 (4+4); 5. Aleksei Krasnozhon, 234.52 (5+5); 6. Timothy Dolensky, 228,94 (6+7); 7. Andrew Torgashev, 225.97 (9+6); 8. Sean Rabbitt, 217.84 (7+9).

Women: 1. Alysa Liu, 217.51 (2+1); 2. Bradie Tennell, 213.59 (1 + 4); 3. Mariah Bell, 212.40 (3 + 2); 4. Hanna Harrell, 203.11 (5 + 5); 5. Ting Cui, 194.30 (12 + 3); 6. Megan Wessenberg, 182.55 (7 + 6); 7. Amber Glenn, 180.73 (4 + 8); 8. Starr Andrews, 175.70 (8 + 7).

Pairs: 1. Ashley Cain/Timothy LeDuc, 212.36 (2+1); 2. Haven Denney/Brandon Frazier, 201.64 (3+2); 3. Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Nathan Bartholomay, 199.92 (4+3); 4. Tarah Kayne/Danny O’Shea, 198.64 (1+4); 5. Jessica Calalang/Brian Johnson, 183.42 (6+5); 6. Audrey Lu/Misha Mitrofanov, 182.42 (5+6); 7. Alexa Knierim/Chris Knierim, 171.42 (7+7); 8. Nica Digerness/Danny Neudecker, 163.63 (9+9).

Ice Dance: 1. Madison Hubbell/Zach Donohue, 215.88 (1+1); 2. Madison Chock/Evan Bates, 211.52 (2+2); 3. Kaitlin Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker, 196.95 (3+3); 4. Lorraine McNamara/Quinn Carpenter, 191.10 (5+4); 5. Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko, 190.01 (4+5); 6. Rachael Parsons/Michael Parsons, 170.26 (6+7); 7. Karina Manta/Joseph Johnson, 159.97 (7+6); 8. Lydia Erdman/Yuri Vlasenko, 124.92 (8+8).

FENCING: World Champs Borel and Beljajeva win Epee Grand Prix; bronze for U.S.’s Hoyle

By
Rich Perelman
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French epee star Yannick Borel (Photo: Marie-Lan Nguyen via Wikipedia Commons)

The first Grand Prix of the 2018-19 FIE season saw two familiar faces at the top of the podium, as reigning World Champion Yannick Borel (FRA) and 2013 World champion Julia Beljajeva (EST) won the gold medals.

But behind these two stars were a lot of surprises. Both runner-ups were hardly household names, with Spain’s Yulen Pereira, 23, winning his first Grand Prix medal and the same for Keenya Pantelyeyeva of Ukraine.

Unheralded Jacob Hoyle of the U.S., ranked no. 24 in the world, claimed his first-ever Grand Prix (or World Cup) medal with a bronze, losing to Borel, 15-10, in the semifinals.

In the men’s Foil World Cup in Tokyo (JPN), no. 1-ranked Richard Kruse defeated American Race Imboden, 15-9, in the final. The women’s Foil World Cup in St. Maur (FRA) was another showcase for Russia’s Olympic and World Cup champ Inna Deriglazova, who defeated Italy’s no. 2-ranked Alice Volpi. France’s Cecilia Berder won the women’s World Cup Sabre tournament in Salt Lake City (USA). Summaries:

FIE Epee Grand Prix
Doha (QAT) ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Epee: 1. Yannick Borel (FRA); 2. Yulen Pereira (ESP); 3. Jacob Hoyle (USA) and Bogdan Nikishin (UKR). Semis: Borel d. Hoyle, 15-10; Pereira d. Nikishin, 15-9. Final: Borel d. Pereira, 15-4.

Women’s Epee: 1. Julia Beljajeva (EST); 2. Kseniya Pantelyeyeva (UKR); 3. Hyojung Jung (KOR) and Violetta Kolobova (RUS). Semis: Beljajeva d. Jung, 15-6; Pantelyeyeva d. Kolobova, 15-12. Final: Beljajeva d. Pantelyeyeva, 15-11.

FIE Foil World Cup
Tokyo (JPN) ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Foil: 1. Richard Kruse (GBR); 2. Race Imboden (USA); 3. Alessio Foconi (ITA) and Daniele Garozzo (ITA). Semis: Imboden d. Foconi, 15-6; Kruse d. Garozzo, 15-10. Final: Kruse d. Imboden, 15-9.

Men’s Team Foil: 1. Italy; 2. United States; 3. Korea; 4. Russia. Semis: U.S. d. Korea, 45-32; Italy d. Russia, 45-29. Third: Korea d. Russia, 45-29. Final: Italy d. U.S., 45-43.

FIE Foil World Cup
St. Maur (FRA_ ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Women’s Foil: 1. Inna Deriglazova (RUS); 2. Alice Volpi (ITA), 3. Francesca Palumbo (ITA) and Ysoara Thibus (FRA). Semis: Volpi d. Palumbo, 15-11; Deriglazova d. Thibus, 15-12. Final: Deriglazova d. Volpi. 15-12.

Women’s Team Foil: 1. France; 2. Russia; 3. Italy; 4. United States. Semis: France d. U.S., 45-44; Russia d. Italy, 45-38. Third: Italy d. U.S., 45-37. Final: France d. Russia, 41-39.

FIE Sabre World Cup
Salt Lake City, Utah (USA) ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Women’s Sabre: 1. Cecilia Berder (FRA); 2. Anna Marton (HUN); 3. Irene Vecchi (ITA) and Sofya Velikaya (RUS). Semis: Berder d. Velikaya, 15-7; Marton d. Vecchi, 15-9. Final: Berder d. Marton, 15-14.

Women’s Team Sabre: 1. France; 2. Hungary; 3. Italy; 4. China. Semis: France d. China, 45-37; Hungary d. Italy, 45-37. Third: Italy d. China, 45-40. Final: France d. Hungary, 45-42.

CYCLING: Viviani’s sprint wins Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race

By
Rich Perelman
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Italy's Elia Viviani wins the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race!

The rolling course for the fifth Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race around Geelong (AUS) ended with the expected mass sprint and it was Italy’s Elia Viviani who managed to get across the line first.

Viviani was second in this race last year and won the opening stage of the Santos Tour Down Under earlier in the month. He raced to the finish with Australian veteran Caleb Ewan, Tour Down Under winner Daryl Impey (RSA), Ryan Gibbons (RSA) and Jens Debusschere (BEL), but was able to collect his 69th professional victory and 20th on the World Tour.

After winning the Tour Down Under, Impey was third in this race for the second straight year.

The World Tour is off for a month; the next race is the UAE Tour starting on 24 February. Summaries:

UCI World Cup/Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race
Geelong (AUS) ~ 27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Results (163 km): 1. Elia Viviani (ITA), 3:54:35; 2. Caleb Ewan (AUS), 3:54:35; 3. Daryl Impey (RSA), 3:54:35; 4. Ryan Gibbons (RSA), 3:54:35; 5. Jens Debusschere (BEL), 3:54:35; 6. Luke Rowe (GBR), 3:54:35; 7. Michael Morkov (DEN), 3:54:35; 8. Jay McCarthy (AUS), 3:54:35; 9. Owain Doull (GBR), 3:54:35; 10. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP), 3:54:35. Also in the top 50: 24. Joey Rosskopf (USA), 3:54:35.

CYCLING: Wai Sze Lee thrills home crowd with two wins

By
Rich Perelman
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Hong Kong sprint star Wai Sze Lee

Sprinter Wai Sze Lee had the attention of the home crowd in Hong Kong for the final installment of the 2018-19 UCI Track Cycling World Cup and she delivered, with wins in the Sprint and the Keirin.

Lee had hopes of possibly winning the World Cup seasonal title in both events, but while she won the Sprint over Korea’s Hyejin Lee, it was Ukraine’s Olena Starikova who got the seasonal title thanks to her fourth-place finish: 2,100 to 2,000.

In the Keirin, Lee finished just 0.088 seconds ahead of Riyu Ohta (JPN), but that was good enough to secure the season title for her with 1,775 points, ahead of Australia’s Stephanie Morton (1,525).

Dutch star Kirsten Wild won the Omnium and the Madison (with Amy Pieters) and won the seasonal crown in the Omnium.

Even though they didn’t compete in Hong Kong, Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer was the seasonal winner in the Sprint and Matthijs Buchli (NED) won the seasonal Keirin title. Greece’s Christos Volikakis won the seasonal Omnium title with a fifth-place finish in Hong Kong. Summaries:

UCI Track Cycling World Cup
Hong Kong ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men

Sprint: 1. Thomas Clarke (AUS); 2. James Brister (AUS). Third: Chao Xu (CHN) d. Quentin Caleyron (FRA), 2-0. Final: Clarke d. Brister, 2-0.

Team Sprint: 1. Australia (Richardson, Clarke, Brister), 43.815; 2. Japan, 44.148. Third: 3. Poland, 44.202; 4. Trinidad & Tobago, 44.326.

Team Pursuit: 1. Italy (Bertazzo, Lamon, Ganna, Plebani), 3:53.478; 2. United States (Daniel Summerhill, Ashton Lambie, Colby Lange, Eric Young), 3:59.215. Third: Australia, 3:57.423; 4. France, 3:58.738.

Keirin: 1. Theo Bos (NED); 2. Tomoyuki Kawabata (JPN), +0.024; 3. Jeseok Oh (KOR), +0.083; 4. Yudai Nitta (JPN), +0.133; 5. Pavel Vorzhev (KAZ), +0.223.

Scratch Race: 1. Liang Guo (CHN); 2. Adrian Hegyvary (USA); 3. Clement Davy (FRA); 4. Yauheni Karaliok (BLR); 5. Michele Scartezzini (ITA).

Omnium: 1. Cameron Meyer (AUS), 134 points; 2. Benjamin Thomas (FRA), 120; 3. Campbell Stewart (NZL), 116; 4. Niklas Larsen (DEN), 114; 5. Christos Volikakis (GRE), 109. Also: 12. Daniel Holloway (USA), 62.

Madison: 1. Thomas Sexton/Campbell Stewart (NZL), 33; 2. Sam Welsford/Kelland O’Brien (AUS), 29; 3. Benjamin Thomas/Florian Maitre (FRA), 21; 4. Rui Filipe Alves Oliveira/Joao Matias (POR), 19; 5. Tristan Marguet/Nico Selenati (SUI), 14. Also: 6. Daniel Holloway/Adrian Hegyvary (USA), 10.

Women

Sprint: 1. Wai Sze Lee (HKG); 2. Hyejin Lee (KOR); Third: 3. Simona Krupeckaite (LTU); 4. Olena Starikova (UKR). Final: Lee d. Lee, 2-0.

Team Sprint: 1. Junhong Lin/Tianshi Zhong (CHN), 32.934; 2. Olena Starikova/Liubov Basova (UKR), 33.430. Third: 3. Migle Marozaite/Simona Krupeckaite (LTU), 33.480; 4. Lea Sophie Friedrich/Emma Hinze (GER), 33.488.

Team Pursuit: 1. Italy (Balsamo, Paternoster, Alzini, Cavalli), 4:17.833; 2. Germany, 4:23.289. Third: New Zealand, 4:21.331; 4. France, 4:26.857.

Keirin: 1. Lee (HKG); 2. Riyu Ohta (JPN), +0.088; 3. Hoi Yan Jessica Lee (HKG), +0.142; 3. Emma Hinze (GER), +0.156; 5. Nicky Degrendele (BEL), +0.195.

Scratch Race: 1. Martina Findanza (ITA); 2. Alex Martin-Wallace (AUS); 3. Jolien D’Hoore (BEL); 4. Ana Usabiaga Balerdi (ESP); 5. Justyna Kaczkowska (POL).

Omnium: 1. Kirsten Wild (NED), 137 points; 2. Laurie Berthon (FRA), 114; 3. Alexandra Manly (AUS), 112; 4. Letizia Paternoster (ITA), 108; 5. Lotte Kopecky (BEL), 90.

Madison: 1. Kirsten Wild/Amy Pieters (NED), 29 points; 2. Lotte Kopecky/Jolien D’Hoore (BEL), 24; 3. Elisa Balsamo/Maria Giulia Confalonieri (ITA), 12; 4. Gulnaz Badykova/Maria Novolodskaya (RUS), 11; 5. Racquel Sheath/Michaela Drummond, (NZL), 7.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: Johaug wins seventh straight distance race in Ulricehamn

By
Rich Perelman
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Norwegian cross-country superstar Therese Johaug

The amazing comeback story of Norway’s Therese Johaug continued in Ulricehamn (SWE) with another distance triumph, her seventh in a row since returning from a doping suspension due to a bad lip balm.

She won the 10 km Freestyle by a staggering 22.8 seconds over teammate Astrid Jacobsen, then came back to contribute a leg to the winning 4×5 km relay team on Sunday.

Johaug was out for two years, but returned for a summer roller-skiing event in August and has won 10 distance races in a row, including eight 10 km races (of various kinds), a 7.5 km Mass Start roller race and a 15 km Freestyle.

She’s no sprinter – she was 33rd in the Lillehammer Sprint back in November – but her unbeaten streak is amazing and she will shortly have another World Championships to showcase her abilities. In her career to date, she has won 11 medals, including seven golds.

Johaug now has 50 World Cup wins, now tied for no. 2 all-time with Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk (2001-18), but well behind the now-retired Marit Bjoergen (NOR: 1999-2018), who won 114 times. Johaug has won six races in a row, one behind Bjoergen’s record of seven straight in 2015. She’s on the verge of history.

In the men’s 15 km Freestyle, France’s Maurice Manificat won his 10th career World Cup gold and first of the season, just edging Norway’s Simen Hegstad Krueger. Summaries:

FIS Cross Country World Cup
Ulricehamn (SWE) ~ 26 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s 15 km Freestyle: 1. Maurice Manificat (FRA), 34:55.4; 2. Simen Hegstad Krueger (NOR), 34:56.5; 3. Didrik Toenseth (NOR), 35:04.1; 4. Sergey Ustiugov (RUS), 35:06.6; 5. Sjur Roethe (NOR), 35:15.3.

Men’s 4×7.5 km Team Relay: 1. Russia (Belov, Bessmertnykh, Spitsov, Maltsev), 1:17:53.2; 2. Russia, 1:18:14.0; 3. Norway, 1:18:29.0; 4. Finland, 1:18:49.6; 5. Sweden, 1:19:32.8. Also: 13. United States (Erik Bjornsen, Scott Patterson, David Norris, Ben Lustgarten), 1:22:04.0.

Women’s 10 km Freestyle: 1. Therese Johaug (NOR), 25:48.2; 2. Astrid Jacobsen (NOR), 26:11.0; 3. Ebba Andersson (SWE), 26:13.1; 4. Jessica Diggins (USA), 26:26.5; 5. Krista Parmakoski (FIN), 26:41.5. Also in the top 25: 15. Sadie Bjornsen (USA), 27:13.3; … 23. Caitlin Patterson (USA), 27:38.1.

Women’s 4×5 km Team Relay; 1. Norway (Weng, Johaug, Jacobsen, Oestberg), 57:06.3; 2. Sweden, 57:43.7; 3. Finland, 57:47.5; 4. Russia, 58:15.4; 5. Norway, 58:22.0. Also: 6. United States (Sadie Bjornsen, Rosie Brennan, Caitlin Patterson, Jessica Diggins), 58:32.9.

BOBSLED & SKELETON: Meyers Taylor and Gibbs score first World Cup win this season

By
Rich Perelman
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Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs racing to a win in St. Moritz (SUI). (Photo: IBSF/Viesturs Lacis)

Winning streaks are meant to be broken, and Germany’s perfect record in the 2018-19 World Cup got stopped in St. Moritz (SUI) by the American duo of Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs.

German sleds had won all three races at the first five World Cup stops and Francesco Friedrich won his sixth straight World Cup in the two-man race in the morning on Saturday (for 16 in a row). But when the women came onto the track, Meyers Taylor and Gibbs – who paired up for the first since their Olympic silver performance in PyeongChang last year – were not to be denied.

They had the fastest runs on both races, winning by 0.12 in the first race and 0.33 in the second, both huge margins in bobsled. But then again, they were racing in St. Moritz.

Meyers Taylor’s last World Cup win came in St. Moritz last season, and was her fourth in a row there, with three different brakemen:

● 2016: with Lauren Gibbs
● 2017: with Briauna Jones
● 2018: with Lolo Jones
● 2019: with Lauren Gibbs again

It was also the sixth straight year in which Meyers Taylor has won at least one World Cup race, this time despite a heavy cold.

Friedrich continued his undefeated run through the two-man season, winning for the sixth straight time. He also won the four-man again, for the fourth time in six races, so his seasonal ledger shows 10 wins, a silver and a bronze in 12 races.

Also returning to form in the men’s Skeleton racing was Olympic champ Sungbin Yun (KOR), who won for the first time this season and repeated his victory at St. Moritz as well. Summaries:

IBSF World Cup
St. Moritz (SUI) ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s 2: 1. Francesco Friedrich/Alexander Schueller (GER), 2:12.29; 2. Johannes Lochner/Christian Rasp (GER), 2:12.69; 3. Oskars Kibermanis/Matiss Miknis (LAT), 2:12.80; 4. Michael Vogt/Sandro Michel (SUI), 2:13.08; 5. Yunjong Won/Jinsu Kim (KOR), 2:13.25. Also: 13. Codie Bascue/Hakeem Abdul-Saboor (USA), 2:13.93; … 16. Justin Olsen/Joshua Williamson (USA), 2:14.46.

Men’s 4: 1. Germany (Francesco Friedrich), 2:10.48; 2. Germany (Johannes Lochner), 2:10.99; 3. Latvia (Oskars Kibermanis), 2:11.01; 4. Russia (Maxim Andrianov), 2:11.21; 5. Monaco (Rudy Rinaldi), 2:11.21. Also: 9. United States (Codie Bascue), 2:11.73; … 19. United States (Justin Olsen), 2:13.20.

Women’s 2: 1. Elana Meyers Taylor/Lauren Gibbs (USA), 2:16.11; 2. Stephanie Schneider/Lisa Sophie Gericke (GER), 2:16.71; 3. Mariama Jamanka/Franziska Bertels (GER), 2:16.87; 4. Anna Koehler/Lena Zelichowski (GER), 2:17.12; 5. Mica McNeill/Aleasha Kiddle (GBR), 2:17.19. Also: 11. Brittany Reinbolt/Jessica Davis (USA), 2:18.32.

Men’s Skeleton: 1. Sungbin Yun (KOR), 2:15.96; 2. Alexander Tretiakov (RUS), 2:16.16; 3. Nikita Tregubov (RUS), 2:16.23; 4. Tomass Dukurs (LAT), 2:16.70; 5. Axel Jungk (GER), 2:16.74. Also: 16. Austin Florian (USA), 2:18.42; … 18. Greg West (USA), 2:18.72; … 20. Kyle Brown (USA), 2:18.83.

Women’s Skeleton: 1. Mirela Rahneva (CAN), 2:17.77; 2. Elena Nikitina (RUS), 2:18.00; 3. Jacquelline Loelling (GER), 2:18.63; 4. Tina Hermann (GER), 2:18.67; 5. Sophia Griebel (GER), 2:18.78. Also: 7. Kendall Wesenberg (USA), 2:18.85; … 14. Savannah Graybill (USA), 2:20.63.

BIATHLON: Boe goes gold-gold-silver in three races in Antholz-Anterselva

By
Rich Perelman
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Norway's Johannes Thingnes Boe

All good things must come to an end, and the seven-year streak of World Cup titles for France’s Martin Fourcade is – barring a catastrophe – going to come to an end.

Through six of nine stops on the IBU World Cup Tour, Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe has underlined his master of the field, winning an astonishing 11 of 14 races in the circuit this season. Over the weekend, he finished 1-1-2 in the 10 km Sprint, 12.5 km Pursuit and 15 km Mass Start (with France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet winning).

Boe, 25, has increased his lead to 836-554-548 lead over Fourcade, 30, and Alexander Loginov (RUS), the equivalent of almost five races, and unless injured, will take his first World Cup overall championships in March.

And Boe isn’t just winning, he’s dominating the field, winning the Sprint this past weekend by 17.5 seconds and the Pursuit by 34.8 seconds! He missed the Mass Start by 14.3 seconds thanks to two missed shots while Fillon Maillet shot clean.

In the women’s competition, there were three different winners in three days, with Czech Marketa Davidova winning the Sprint for her first career World Cup win, and German Laura Dahlmeier winning the Mass Start for her third win in three years in Antholz, but all in different races. Italy’s Dorothea Wierer won the Pursuit and solidified her lead in the overall World Cup at 632-598 over teammate Lisa Vittozzi, who had a good weekend with a fifth and a third. Summaries:

IBU World Cup
Antholz-Anterselva (ITA) ~ 21-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s 10 km Sprint: 1. Johannes Thingnes Boe (NOR), 23:53.9 (1 penalty); 2. Erlend Bjoentegaard (NOR), +17.5 (0); 3. Antonin Guigonnat (FRA), +20.2 (1); 4. Martin Fourcade (FRA), +21.3 (0); 5. Simon Eder (AUT), +23.9 (1).

Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit: 1. Boe (NOR), 31:33.7 (3); 2. Guigonnat (FRA), +34.8 (1); 3. Quentin Fillon Maillet (FRA), +40.6 (2); 4. Simon Desthieux (FRA), +40.6 (2); 5. Fourcade (FRA), +50.9 (3).

Men’s 15 km Mass Start: 1. Fillon Maillet (FRA), 34:39.4 (0); 2. Boe (NOR), +14.3 (2); 3. Arnd Pfeiffer (GER), +24.6 (0); 4. Fourcade (FRA), +50.4 (1); 5. Guigonnat (FRA), +51.8 (2).

Women’s 7.5 km Sprint: 1. Marketa Davidova (CZE), 21:40.7 (0); 2. Kaisa Makarainen (FIN), +1.7 (1); 3. Marte Olsbu Roeiseland (NOR), +3.5 (1); 4. Laura Dahlmeier (GER), +4.2 (0); 5. Lisa Vittozzi (ITA), +10.2 (1). Also in the top 25: 22. Clare Egan (USA), +56.7 (2).

Women’s 10 km Pursuit: 1. Dorothea Wierer (ITA), 29:20.1 (2); 2. Dahlmeier (GER), +6.0 (1); 3. Vittozzi (ITA), +16.2 (2); 4. Roeiseland (NOR), +33.9 (3); 5. Anastasiya Kuzmina (SVK), +46.5 (4). Also in the top 25: 11. Egan (USA), +1:31.9 (2).

Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start: 1. Dahlmeier (GER), 35:23.8 (1); 2. Davidova (CZE), +13.1 (1); 3. Vanessa Hinz (GER), +16.4 (1); 4. Hanna Oeberg (SWE), +17.1 (2); 5. Wierer (ITA), +32.2 (3). Also in the top 25: 15. Egan (USA), +1:05.8 (2).

BADMINTON: Stunning win for Denmark’s Antonsen in Indonesia Masters

By
Rich Perelman
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Denmark's Anders Antonsen

One of the great things about sports is that nothing is guaranteed. So when no. 1-ranked Kento Momota of Japan faced no. 20 Anders Antonsen of Denmark – who had never beaten Momota in three tries – of course Momota was favored

Didn’t turn out that way, as Antonsen won his first significant tournament title, with a 21-16, 14-21, 21-16 victory at the Indonesia Masters in Jakarta.

“The crowd was amazing, so it was an absolute pleasure to play here and it’s a big dream for me to win the tournament in Istora Senayan. It’s an iconic place that we always talk about in Denmark. It’s absolutely crazy to win my first (World Tour) Super 500,” said Antonsen.

“I was six when I started playing badminton and I was always dreaming about winning one of these titles. So it’s crazy… finally I’ve done it. And it’s my first major. I can’t even describe how it feels.

“I’ve had a few good matches with Kento. In two of the matches I thought I had a chance. I saw his match against (Anthony) Ginting and Viktor (Axelsen) and he was amazing. But I’ve also had good confidence from the previous matches in this tournament, so I felt if I did my absolute best, I might have a chance.”

The women’s Singles was also full of drama, as Rio Olympic champ Carolina Marin (ESP) faced India’s Saina Nehwal in the final. But after Marin had a 10-4 lead in the first set, she collapsed in pain on the court and had to retire. For Nehwal, it was her first tournament win since 2017.

“It’s not good to see at all. I’ve been getting injured for the last two-three years, and to see something like this happen is very painful,” said Nehwal. “I know how it is mentally, and I was also upset before the Olympics. It’s a cruel thing for all the players. Carolina is the fittest among us, and if something like that happens to her, it’s very painful.:

The Doubles titles went to no. 1-ranked Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) for the men, no. 2-ranked Misaki Matsutomo and Akaya Takahashi (JPN) for the women and no. 1-ranked Siwei Zhang and Yaqiong Huang in the Mixed Doubles. Summaries:

BWF World Tour/Indonesia Masters
Jakarta (INA) ~ 22-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Singles: 1. Anders Antonsen (DEN); 2. Kento Momota (JPN); 3. Jonaton Christie (INA) and Viktor Axelsen (DEN). Semis: Antonsen d. Christie, 21-18, 21-16; Momota d. Axelsen, 21-15, 21-4. Final: Antonsen d. Momota, 21-16, 14-21, 21-16.

Men’s Doubles: 1. Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA); 2. Mohammed Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan (INA); 3. Chengkai Han/Haodong Zhou (CHN) and Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN). Semis: Ahsan/Setiawan d. Han/Zhou, 21-11, 21-17; Gideon/Sukamuljo d. Astrup/Rasmussen, 21-19, 21-13. Final: Gideon/Sukamuljo d. Ahsan/Setiawan, 21-17, 21-11.

Women’s Singles: 1. Saina Nehwal (IND); 2. Carolina Marin (ESP); 3. Bingjiao He (CHN) and Yufei Chen (CHN). Semis: Nehwal d. He, 18-21, 21-12, 21-18; Marin d. Chen, 17-21, 21-11, 23-21. Final: Nehwal d. Marin, 4-10, withdrew.

Women’s Doubles: 1. Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi (JPN); 2. So Yeong Kim/Hee Yong Kong (KOR); 3. Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu (INA) and Maya Matsumoto/Wakana Nagihara (JPN). Semis: Matsutomo/Takahashi d. Polii/Rahayu, 22-20, 20-22, 21-12; Kim/Kong d. Matsumoto/Nagihara, 13-21, 22-20, 21-16. Final: Matsutomo/Takahashi d. Kim/Kong, 2-19, 21-15.

Mixed Doubles: 1. Siwei Zhang/Yaqiong Huang (CHN); 2. Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir (INA); 3. Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino (JPN) and Peng Soon Chan/Liu Ying Goh (MAS). Semis: Zhang/Huang d. Watanabe/Higashino, 11-21, 21-14, 21-11; Ahmad/Natsir d. Chan/Goh, 22-20, 21-11. Final: Zhang/Huang d. Ahmad/Natsir, 19-21, 21-19, 21-16.

ALPINE SKIING: What’s this? France’s Noel beats Hirscher again in Slalom!

By
Rich Perelman
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France's Clement Noel

Who is Clement Noel?

That’s the question followers of the Alpine World Cup are asking, after the 21-year-old from Val d’Isere (FRA) won his second straight Slalom, defeating World Cup superstar Marcel Hirscher (AUT) once again in the process.

Noel provided confirmation of his win at Wengen (SUI) on the 20th and he has now won three career World Cup medals, all in the last two weeks.

Swiss Ramon Zenhaeusern led after the first run, with Noel second, 55.22-55.34 and Hirscher well back in ninth (56.10). But Hirscher roared to life on the second run, clocking 49.72 for the fastest second run. But Noel was equal to the challenge, timing 50.19 for the third-fastest second run and ended up with a 0.26-second margin over Hirscher.

An amazing win for Noel; Hirscher recorded his 134th World Cup medal, which is also quite remarkable.

Italian veteran Dominik Paris won the Downhill for his third win this season and 12th of his career. He won a bronze on Sunday in the Super-G, which was won in another surprise by Germany’s Josef Ferstl.

Ferstl won his first World Cup medal in two years and got his second career win, both in Super-G. The runner-up, 38-year-old Johan Clarey (FRA), also won his first World Cup medal in two years – his last was also in Kitzbuehel — and his first Super-G medal ever. He had won four previous World Cup medals, all in Downhills in 2009-13-14-17.

The women’s events in Garmisch were more to form, with Nicole Schmidhofer (AUT) winning the Super-G, her first win but third medal of the season, and Austria’s seven-year veteran Stephanie Vernier won her first-ever World Cup title, and her fourth career medal, in the Downhill. Olympic Downhill champ Sofia Goggia (ITA) returned to competition from injuries and skied very well with silver medals in both races. Summaries:

FIS Alpine World Cup
Kitzbuehel (SUI) ~ 25-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Downhill: 1. Dominik Paris (ITA), 1:56.82; 2. Beat Feuz (SUI), 1:57.02; 3. Otmar Striedinger (AUT), 1:57.19; 4. Christof Innerhofer (ITA), 1:57.75; 5. Daniel Danklmaier (AUT), 1:57.76. Also in the top 25: 14. Bryce Bennett (USA), 1:58.27; … 19. Travis Ganong (USA), 1:58.74.

Men’s Slalom: 1. Clement Noel (FRA), 1:45.53; 2. Marcel Hirscher (AUT), 1:45.82; 3. Alexis Pinturault (FRA), 1:45.89; 4. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR), 1:46.06; 5. Marco Schwarz (SUI), 1:46.22.

Men’s Super-G: 1. Josef Ferstl (GER), 1:13.07; 2. Johan Clarey (FRA), 1:13.15; 3. Paris (ITA), 1:13.17; 4. Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT), 1:13.22; 5. Matthias Mayer (AUT), 1:13.25.

FIS Alpine World Cup
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) ~ 26-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Women’s Super-G: 1. Nicole Schmidhofer (AUT), 1:19.98; 2. Sofia Goggia (ITA), 1:20.21; 3. Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI), 1:20.43; 4. Federica Brignone (ITA), 1:20.53; 5. Romane Miradoli (FRA), 1:20.73. Also in the top 25: 14. Laurenne Ross (USA), 1:21.40.

Women’s Downhill: 1. Stephanie Venier (AUT), 1:37.46; 2. Sofia Goggia (ITA), 1:37.71; 3. Kira Weidle (GER), 1:38.00; 4. Corinne Suter (SUI), 1:38.27; 5. Ilka Stuhec (SLO), 1:38.31. Also in the top 25: 8. Alice Merryweather (USA), 1:38.65; … 14. Ross (USA), 1:38.97.

ATHLETICS Panorama: UCLA frosh Guttormsen clears 18-8 3/4 indoors in New York!

By
Rich Perelman
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UCLA's Sondre Guttormsen (NOR)

While the headline event of the weekend in the U.S. was the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, the Dr. Norm Sander Columbia Challenge was going on at the Armory Track in New York, with multiple highlights:

● A 1:16.65 win for Byron Robinson in the men’s 600 m, just ahead of Erik Sowinski (1;16.75) and Michael Cherry (1:17.19).

● A very fast 2:18.98 for the men’s 1,000 m from Craig Engels of the U.S., fastest on a standard track this season, ahead of Johnny Gregorek (2:19.78) and Quamel Prince (2:20.05).

● UCLA freshman Sondre Guttormsen (NOR), last year’s California State High School champion at 17-10, won the vault with a lifetime best of 5.71 m (18-8 3/4), not only a lifetime best indoors, but equaled the all-time school record set way back in 1978 by Olympic silver medalist Mike Tully!

● Joe Kovacs won the shot with a throw of 20.77 m (68-1 3/4), ahead of David Pless (19.91 m/645-4) and UCLA’s Dotun Ogundeji (19.52 m/64-0 1/2).

● Ajee Wilson won the women’s 600 m in 1:25.91, the no. seven performance in U.S. history. Wilson edged Olivia Baker (1:26.75) and Cecilia Barkowski (1:27.71) for the win.

● A Jamaican indoor record in the women’s 1,000 m for Natoya Goule at 2:37.55, , beating Americans Laura Roesler (2:38.11) and Claudia Sanders (2:38.95).

For complete results, click here.

The USA Track & Field nationals in the 50 km Walk was held Saturday in Santee, California. No results available as yet.

ATHLETICS: Ethiopians Kejelcha and Gebrhiwet brilliant at New Balance Grand Prix

By
Rich Perelman
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Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha

If you’re looking for the likely star of the 2019 indoor track season, you might want to start with Ethiopia’s 21-year-old Yomif Kejelcha.

After running an outstanding double in the 1,000 m (2:18.34) and mile (3:52.61) last week  – with just 40 minutes between races on an oversized track in Seattle – he came to the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, Massachusetts and ran away from the field to win the mile in 3:51.70 … on 25 January!

That time moved him to no. 12 on all-time indoor world list, with the 20th-fastest indoor mile in history, and an Ethiopian indoor record. Kejelcha ran away from Kenya’s Bethwell Birgen on the final lap of the 200 m track and clocked 57.53 for the final 400 m. Birgen set a lifetime best in second at 3:54.82.

There’s no doubt that the world indoor mile record of 3:48.45 by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco from 1997 is definitely in danger.

The men’s 3,000 m was another runaway, this time for Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH), who won in 7:37.41, but impressively pulled away from Kenya’s Edward Cheserek to win by more than five seconds.

The much-awaited professional debut of Sydney McLaughlin resulted in a runaway win in the 500 m. She took the lead at 200 m and finished in 1:09.46, making her the eighth-fastest performer in U.S. indoor history.

Among the other highlights:

● Rai Benjamin made his debut as an American athlete with a win in the 300 m in 32.55, moving him to no. 10 on the all-time U.S. indoor list.

● Donavan Brazier showed his continuing maturity in the 800 m, waiting for the final half-lap to blow past Rio bronze medalist (and now training partner) Clayton Murphy, finishing in 1:45.91 to Murphy’s 1:45.94.

● The women’s mile was a showcase for Canada’s Gabriela Stafford, who set a national indoor record with a win in 4:24.80, followed by former New Hampshire star Elinor Purrier, who ran 4:24.88 for second in her first professional race; that moves her to equal-eighth fastest performer all-time U.S. indoors. Both blew past Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum on the final lap; she finished in 4:26.84. American Emma Coburn nearly fell early in the race and was not a factor, finishing 10th in 4:32.68.

● Katie Nageotte, the 2018 U.S. Indoor champ, equaled her second-best vault ever and best at sea level with a win at 4.86 m (15-11 1/4); she missed three times at 4.92 m (16-1 3/4), but beat Rio gold medalist Ekaterina Stefanidi of Greece, at 4.71 m (15-5 1/2).

● Maggie Ewen, another new professional after an outstanding collegiate career at Arizona State, won the shot put and moved to no. 6 all-time on the U.S. Indoor list at 19.28 m (63-3 1/4).

The IAAF World Indoor Tour continues next week in Karlsruhe (GER) on 2 February. Summaries.

IAAF World Indoor Tour/New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
Roxbury, Massachusetts (USA) ~ 26 January 2019
(Full results here; all U.S. unless noted)

Men

300 m: 1. Rai Benjamin, 32.55 (10th performer all-time U.S. indoor); 2. Bernardo Baloyes (COL), 33.70; 3. Josephus Lyles, 33.72.

400 m: 1. Nathan Strother, 46.97; 2. Kyle Collins, 47.58; 3. Rilwan Alawanle (NGR), 48.07.

800 m: 1. Donavan Brazier, 1:45.91; 2. Clayton Murphy, 1:45.94; 3. Saul Ordonez (ESP), 1:46.62.

Mile: 1. Yomif Kejelcha (ETH), 3:51.70; 2. Bethwell Birgen (KEN), 3:54.82; 3. Samuel Prakel, 3:56.60. (1,500 m en route: 1. Kejelcha, 3:36.43; 2. Birgen, 3:37.50; 3. Vincent Kibet (KEN), 3:41.35.)

3,000 m: 1. Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH), 7:37.41; 2. Edward Cheserek (KEN), 7:42.93; 3. Adel Mechaal (ESP), 7:45.56.

60 m Hurdles: 1. Jarret Eaton, 7.64; 2. Aaron Mallet, 7.65; 3. Freddie Crittenden, 7.66.

Women

60 m: 1. Michelle-Lee Ahye (TTO), 7.21; 2. Shania Collins, 7.27; 3. Aaliyah Brown, 7.36.

300 m: I ~ 1. Kendall Ellis, 36.97; 2. Candace Hill, 37.49; 3. Maggie Barrie (SLE), 37.95. II ~ 1. Gabby Thomas, 37.03; 2. Shakima Wimbley, 37.18; 3. Brionna Thomas, 37.91.

500 m: 1. Sydney McLaughlin, 1:09.46 (8th all-time U.S. indoor); 2. Ashley Taylor (CAN), 1:12.2; 3. Samantha Murphy (CAN), 1:12.84.

600 m: 1. Raevyn Rogers, 1:27.31; 2. Lynsey Sharp (GBR), 1:29.11; 3. Kendra Chambers, 1:29.21.

Mile: 1. Gabriela Stafford (CAN), 4:24.80; 2. Elinor Purrier, 4:24.88 (=8th performer all-time U.S. indoor); 3. Dawit Seyaum (ETH), 4:26.84. (1,500 m en route: 1. Stafford, 4:08.36; 2. Seyaum, 4:08.38; 3. Purrier, 4:08.50).

5,000 m: 1. Konstanze Klosterhalfen (GER), 15:15.80; 2. Jenny Simpson, 15:33.38; 3. Katie Mackey, 15:42.10.

Pole Vault: 1. Katie Nageotte, 4.86 m (15-11 1/4; missed 4.92 m/16-1 3/4) 2. Ekaterina Stefanidi (GRE), 4.71 m (15-5 1/2); 3. Annie Rhodes-Johnigan, 4.61 m (15-1 1/2).

Shot Put: 1. Maggie Ewen, 19.28 m (63-3 1/4; 6th performer all-time U.S. indoor); 2. Christina Schwanitz (GER), 18.87 m (61-11); 3. Jessica Ramsey, 18.22 m (59-9 1/2).

FIGURE SKATING: A 13-year-old U.S. women’s champion: Alysa Liu

By
Rich Perelman
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New U.S. Figure Skating women's champion Alysa Liu

She came in as a wild card, a 13-year-old who had pulled off a triple axel in a Novice competition and therefore had a chance to pull an upset.

She did.

Alysa Liu, from Clovis, California, won the Free Skate at the U.S. Figure Skating National Championships at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on Friday night and climbed from second after the Short Program to the top of the podium.

At 13, she is too young to represent the U.S. in the ISU World Championships, but continues her amazing climb up the ladder from child to U.S. champion:

● 2016: 1st in Intermediate Class
● 2017: 4th in Novice Class
● 2018: 1st in Junior Class
● 2019: 1st in Senior Class

The Short Program was won, as expected, by defending champion Bradie Tennell, who scored 76.60 points – best ever in the U.S. Championships – with Liu second at 73.89. But Liu shined in the Free Skate, compiling the highest score at 143.82, ahead of Mariah Bell (142.10), Ting Cui (139.66) and Tennell (136.99), for a total of 217.51, just about four points higher than Tennell, with Bell third (212.40).

Liu skated a clean program, including a triple Axel, triple Axel to a triple Toe Loop, triple Lutz to a triple Toe Loop and a triple Lutz and triple Salchow.

The U.S. gets two entries into the women’s event at the World Championships in Saitama (JPN) in April; eligibility is restricted to athletes aged 15 by 1 July of 2018. So, Tennell and Bell are the likely nominees. In fact, the current ISU rules do not even allow Liu to compete in the World Junior Championships, as she had not turned 13 by 1 July of 2018 (she was 12). Wow!

The U.S. Nationals continues through the weekend. Summaries:

U.S. Figure Skating National Championships
Detroit, Michigan (USA) ~ 24-27 January 2019
(Full results here)

Women: 1. Alysa Liu, 217.51 (2nd in Short Program + 1st in Free Skate); 2. Bradie Tennell, 213.59 (1 + 4); 3. Mariah Bell, 212.40 (3 + 2); 4. Hanna Harrell, 203.11 (5 + 5); 5. Ting Cui, 194.30 (12 + 3); 6. Megan Wessenberg, 182.55 (7 + 6); 7. Amber Glenn, 180.73 (4 + 8); 8. Starr Andrews, 175.70 (8 + 7).

FOOTBALL Preview: Gregg Berhalter era starts for U.S. Soccer vs. Panama in Arizona

By
Rich Perelman
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U.S. National Team coach Gregg Berhalter (Photo: U.S. Soccer)

The U.S. men’s National Team hit a 30-year low by failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and in the process hired and released Jurgen Klinsmann, Bruce Arena and Dave Sarachan as coaches.

Now starts the Gregg Berhalter Era. Now 45, he was a defender for the U.S. from 1994-2006, appearing in 44 games. He has gone on to coaching success with the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, getting to the MLS Cup Final in 2015, but losing to Portland, 2-1.

Now he inherits a United States team that has young talent, but needs direction and organization. The first game will be on Sunday against Panama at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona at 8 p.m. on ESPN2, Unimas and UDN.

Aside from veteran midfielder Michael Bradley (142 caps) and striker Gyasi Zardes (40), the most experienced player is midfielder Paul Arriola with just 17 appearances for the U.S. Eleven players on the 23-man roster have no National Team appearances.

Panama was one of the teams that the U.S. could beat in the CONCACAF final qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup. The teams drew, 1-1, in Panama City on 28 March 2017 and then the U.S. won, 4-0, in Orlando on 6 October. Panama qualified for the World Cup, but Los Canaleros lost all three games in Russia and were eliminated after the Group stage.

After Sunday’s tilt with Panama, the U.S. will play Costa Rica on 2 February in San Jose, California at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.

ATHLETICS: Stunning 2:03:34 for Molla and 2:17:08 for Chepngetich in Dubai!

By
Rich Perelman
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Fastest debut marathon ever: Getaneh Molla (ETH) in Dubai: 2:03:34! (Photo: Dubai Marathon)

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has been the richest race in the world for several years, but the prize money was downgraded for 2019 because the IAAF won’t recognize the race for its new Platinum Label class because the number of finishers is less than 15,000.

That didn’t stop the 2019 edition from being the greatest ever, with two sensational wins from athletes who weren’t marathon icons before … but will be remembered now!

Ethiopia’s Getaneh Molla won a two-man duel in the final 700 meters to finish ahead of countryman Herpassa Negasa in an amazing 2:03:34 … in his debut marathon! Negasa ran 2:03:40 and Asefa Mengstu ran 2:04:05 … and got third!

The race went out at a very respectable 1:01:43, but Molla and Negasa were clear by 35 km and Molla ran away in the final 700 meters for the victory. It’s a race record, the fastest debut marathon ever and places Molla – after one marathon – as no. 6 on the all-time list, with the ninth fastest marathon ever run.

Negasa’s 2:03:40 was good for no. 8 all-time; he improved his all-time best from 2:09:14 from 2018!

“I was hoping for maybe 2:05 or 2:06,” said Molla afterwards. Although a new marathoner, he has excellent track credentials, having run 12:59.58 in Brussels (BEL) last season and as a four-time Ethiopian 5,000 national champion. But his Brussels time ranks him no. 93 on the all-time list; he’s now the sixth-fastest marathoner ever.

In the women’s race, the pace was quick from the start and reached halfway in a very fast 1:08:10. Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich and defending champ Worknesh Degefa (ETH) ran at the front and Chepngetich slowly pulled away to a 2:17:08 win, the third-fastest marathon ever run by a woman. She ran her first marathon two years ago in Istanbul (TUR) and won in 2:22:36, then finished second in Paris last April (2:22:59), then lowered her PR to 2:18:35 to win in Istanbul again, Now, 2:17:08!

Degefa finished second in 2:17:41, improving from 2:19:53 to win Dubai in 2018. She’s now no. 4 all-time, with the fifth-fastest women’s marathon ever run. This was only the second race in history that had two women finish under 2:18; the other was Mary Keitany’s historic 2:17:01 in the 2017 London Marathon, followed by Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) in 2:17:56.

Although the prize money was cut from prior years, it’s still a rich race, with $100,000-40,000-20,000-10,000-5,000-4,500-4,000-3,500-3,000-2,500 for the top 10 finishers in both the men’s and women’s races. That’s $385,000 in total!

This race was unbelievable and confirms Dubai’s place as one of the top marathons of the year, even if it’s not part of the World Marathon Majors or an IAAF Platinum Label race. Summaries:

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon
Dubai (UAE) ~ 25 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men: 1. Getaneh Molla Tamire (ETH), 2:03:34; 2. Herpassa Negasa (ETH), 2:03:40; 3. Asefa Mengstu (ETH), 2:04:24; 4. Emmanuel Saina (KEN), 2:05:02; 5. Shifera Tamru (ETH), 2:05:18; 6. Kelkile Gezahegn (ETH), 2:06:09; 7. Adugna Takele (ETH), 2:06:32; 8. Birhanu Teshome (ETH), 2:08:20; 9. Fikadu Kebede (ETH), 2:08:27; 10. Tadesse Abraham (SUI), 2:09:50.

Women: 1. Ruth Chepngetich (KEN), 2:17:08; 2. Worknesh Degefa (ETH), 2:17:41; 3. Worknesh Edesa (ETH), 2:21:05; 4. Waganesh Mekasha (ETH), 2:22:45; 5. Sintayehu Lewetegn (ETH), 2:25:59; 6. Rahma Tusa (ETH), 2:26:38; 7. Muluhabt Tsega (ETH), 2:27:36; 8. Sule Utura (ETH), 2:32:52; 9. Kate Roberts (RSA), 2:59:21; 10. Helen O’Neille (GBR), 3:15:56.

RUGBY Preview: Men’s Seven Series lands in New Zealand

By
Rich Perelman
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Madison Hughes of the U.S. Eagles

The third leg of the 10-stop men’s World Rugby Sevens Series takes places in Hamilton (NZL) this weekend, with the home team currently second in the standings behind the surprising United States Eagles.

What? The Eagles in first?

Yes, after two straight second-place finishes, to New Zealand and Fiji in Dubai (UAE) and Cape Town (RSA), respectively. The highest the U.S. ha ever finished is fifth – in 2016-17 – but this is a promising start.

In the meantime, Fiji stands third with 35 points and England is fourth with 30. And there are eight legs to go. The pools for Hamilton:

● Pool A: Australia, Fiji, Wales, Argentina
● Pool B: United States, Samoa, England, Tonga
● Pool C: South Africa, Scotland, France, Kenya
● Pool D: New Zealand, Spain, Canada, Japan

One of the secrets of the U.S. success has been its balanced scoring. Sure, Perry Baker is still there, but he’s only fourth on the team in points after two rounds as others are taking up the load. Madison Hughes is fourth overall in points with 72 and leads the U.S., followed by Stephen Tomasin with 67 (seventh overall), then Carlin Isles (50 for 14th) and then Baker with 45 points for 21st overall.

The overall scoring leaders are Andrew Knewstubb (NZL) with an even 100 after two rounds, ahead of John Porch (AUS) with 98.

From a team perspective, Fiji leads all teams with 441 points, but the U.S. is second with 371, well ahead of Australia (322), Samoa (317) and New Zealand (302).

Look for scores here.

CYCLING Preview: Jay McCarthy back to defend his title in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race

By
Rich Perelman
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They don't call it the "Great Ocean Race" for nothing!

After a week of recovery, the UCI World Tour will end its Australian leg with the fifth edition of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race on Sunday in Geelong, just southwest of Melbourne.

The 164 km course is hilly, with three short climbs in the Mount Moriac group and then four climbs up the Challambra Crescent over the final three laps of the race.

Four prior medalists are entered for the 2019 race:

● Jay McCarthy (AUS) ~ Winner in 2018
● Elia Viviani (ITA) ~ 2018 silver medalist
● Daryl Impey (RSA) ~ 2018 bronze medalist (won the Santos Tour Down Under)
● Nathan Haas (AUS) ~ 2015 bronze medalist

All three medalists from the Santos Tour Down Under – Impey, runner-up Richie Porte (AUS) and bronze medalist Wout Poels (NED) are entered. Four of the race’s stage winners are also in: Viviani, Impey, Jasper Philipsen (BEL) and Porte.

Look for results here.

HANDBALL Preview: Host Denmark to face Norway in men’s Worlds final in Herning

By
Rich Perelman
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Denmark's scoring machine Mikkel Hansen (Photo: IHF)

After more than two weeks of non-stop action in Denmark and Germany, the IHF men’s World Championships are down to the medal finals, coming Sunday (27th) at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning (DEN).

The 15,000-seat arena will be full of Danish fans cheering on their team in the final against Norway, with both teams trying to win their first world title. But both have been close:

● Denmark: Runner-up in 1967, 2011 and 2013
● Norway: Runner-up in 2017

Denmark got to the final with a 38-30 semifinal win over tournament favorite France, and the Norwegians managed a 31-25 victory over tournament co-host Germany. Mikkel Hansen scored 12 goals for the Danes, who led 21-15 at halftime and managed to extend their edge in the second half. Norway was led in scoring by Magnus Abelvik Rod, who had 7.

In the second round-robin, Germany (4-0-1) and France (3-1-1) qualified into the semis from Group I, with Croatia (3-2-0) qualifying for the fifth-place game and Spain (2-3-0) for the seventh-place match, In Group II, Denmark continued its perfect streak at 5-0-0, with Norway second at 4-1-0. Sweden finished 3-2-0 and will play for fifth, and Egypt (1-3-1) will play for seventh.

So Denmark enters the final with a clean, 9-0-0 record and has outscored its opponents by a 286-201 total or an average of 32-22. This will be the second match between Denmark and Norway; the Group C match was won by Denmark, 30-26, with Hansen scoring 14 goals and Goran Sogard Johannesson leading Norway with five.

France and Germany will play for third, also on Sunday. They both qualified from Group A and played back on 15 January to a 25-25 tie. France’s Kentin Mahe led all scorers with nine.

Hansen has been the runaway top scorer in the tournament with 65 goals, trailed by Ferran Sole (ESP: 51) and Norway’s Magnus Jondal (50). Norway’s secondary scorers have been Sander Sagosen (48) and Rod (41). Denmark’s second scorer has been Rasmus Lauge Schmidt, with 40 goals.

NBC’s Olympic Channel has the medal games on Sunday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time (bronze) and 11:30 a.m. (gold). Look for game reports here.

SKI JUMPING Preview: Will Sapporo be a happy homecoming for Kobayashi?

By
Rich Perelman
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Exactly halfway through the men’s World Cup schedule for 2018-19, the superstar of the first half of the circuit will be jumping in front of some wildly enthusiastic fans in Sapporo (JPN) on Saturday and Sunday, off a 137 m hill.

That would be Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi, who has dominated the scene this season, winning nine of the 14 events held so far, but missing a medal in the last two.

He has a huge 1,128-624-603 lead over Poles Kamil Stoch and Piotr Zyla, equal to five events, so he’s still the odds-on favorite to win the seasonal title.

It’s the first men’s World Cup in Sapporo in two seasons. Maciej Kot (POL) and Peter Prevc (SLO) won the first of two events there in 2017, with Stoch winning the other. Austria’s Stefan Kraft, who won last week’s event in Zakopane (POL), was third both times.

NBC’s Olympic Channel has delayed coverage of Sapporo, at 4 p.m. on Saturday and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Look for results here.

The women’s jumping is back in Europe after two stops in Japan, this week in Rasnov (ROU), also on Saturday and Sunday, with competition off a 97 m hill.

In the nine events held so far, Germany’s Katharina Althaus has won thrice, but the last four have been split evenly between Austria’s ageless Daniela Iraschko-Stolz (she’s 35) and Norway’s Maren Lundby (24).

At present, Althaus still leads, 622-599 over Lundby, who was last season’s champion, and Iraschko-Stolz (459). Germany’s Julianne Seyfarth (401) and four-time World Cup winner Sara Takanashi (JPN: 400) are still in striking distance.

Althaus and Lundby went 1-2 and 2-1 in the two Rasnov jumps last season and are the favorites, but can Iraschko-Stolz – the 2015 World Cup champion – close the gap over her younger competitors?

NBC’s Olympic Channel has delayed coverage of the Rasnov jumping, at 5:30 p.m. eastern on Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday. Look for results here.

NORDIC COMBINED Preview: Is Riiber still rolling, or slowing to a stop?

By
Rich Perelman
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Austria's Mario Seidl

With 13 of 21 World Cup events completed, the question is still open: is this Jarl Magnus Riiber’s year?

The 21-year-old Norwegian ran away with the first half of the schedule, winning six of the first eight competitions and building a big lead in the World Cup standings. But he hasn’t won since – either an event or a medal in the five races since.

He hasn’t been bad, finishing 4-4-7-6-5 in the last five and holding a commanding 858-669-648 lead over Mario Seidl (AUT) and Germany’s reigning World Champion, Johannes Rydzek.

The hottest athletes right now are Austria’s Franz-Josef Rehrl, who won two of the three events at Chaux-Neuve (FRA) last week and was third in the other, and Germany’s Fabian Riessle, who went 3-3-2 there for medals in all three races.

This week, Riiber is back on home ground in Trondheim (NOR), and he and teammate Jorgen Graabak have won a total of seven times this season. The competitions will be off a 140 m hill, followed by a 10.0 km cross-country race.

Riiber is no stranger to Trondheim, scoring a silver in the second race there, while Riessle won bronze and gold. Eric Frenzel (GER) was the other winner there last season.

Look for results here.

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