24 players have been named in a trial squad for the New Zealand Sevens team.
The trial starts in Mount Maunganui on Monday January 19. Coach Gordon Tietjens will name a national squad of 17 for the 2009 season at the conclusion of the trial on Thursday January 22.
New Zealand Sevens trial squad: Kurt Baker (Manawatu), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty), DJ Forbes (Counties Manakau), Paul Grant (Otago), Luke Hamilton (North Harbour), Joe Hill (Wellington), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Lance McDonald (Bay of Plenty), Tim Nainai Williams (Counties Manakau), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Malakai Ravulo (North Harbour), Willie Rickards (Southland), Peter Saili (Auckland), Julian Savea (Wellington), Ben Sounes (Taranaki), Hayden Steed (Counties Manakau), Tutu Tairea (Auckland), Save Tokula (Waikato), Chad Tuhoro (Counties Manakau), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Tu Umaga Marshall (Wellington), Viliame Waqaseduadua (North Harbour).
Note: Nigel Hunt and Solomon King were not considered due to injury
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Cricket : WARNER TO HEAD AUSSIE BATTING IN BRISBANE
Australia’s latest batting sensation David Warner is being tipped to continue his brutal run scoring exploits when the Aussies line-up against South Africa in tonight’s second Twenty20 international in Brisbane.
Warner is the talk of Australian sport after his brutal knock of 89 from 43 balls two night’s ago at the MCG, and Betfair customers have rallied behind the New South Wales left-hander to be the leading Australian batsman once more.
The 22-year-old is a resounding $4.60 favourite to top the Aussie run scorers at the Gabba tonight, after initially trading at $4.20.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting is the second favourite at $5.00 with Betfair, fractionally ahead of Shaun Marsh at $5.20
Warner’s influence has also seen Australia installed as short priced $1.48 favourites to clean sweep the Twenty20 series. South Africa will make three changes to their side and a despised $3.00 outsiders.
Warner is the talk of Australian sport after his brutal knock of 89 from 43 balls two night’s ago at the MCG, and Betfair customers have rallied behind the New South Wales left-hander to be the leading Australian batsman once more.
The 22-year-old is a resounding $4.60 favourite to top the Aussie run scorers at the Gabba tonight, after initially trading at $4.20.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting is the second favourite at $5.00 with Betfair, fractionally ahead of Shaun Marsh at $5.20
Warner’s influence has also seen Australia installed as short priced $1.48 favourites to clean sweep the Twenty20 series. South Africa will make three changes to their side and a despised $3.00 outsiders.
Events : Extra 4,000 tickets released today for Top Gear Live, Feb 12-15, 2009
Don’t Miss Out on Top Gear Live Tickets Twice! Previously Sold Out, an Extra 4,000 Tickets Just Released.
Getting a ticket to the sold out Top Gear Live stage show, Auckland, February 12-15th 2009, has been harder than getting your hands on a McLaren F1 with tickets for all 10 shows racing out the door in record time!
Now, due to heavy demand and requests from enthusiastic fans, an extra 4,000 A-Reserve tickets will be released at 9am Tuesday January 13th through Ticketek – definitely your last chance to get to see those amazing superstars of motoring, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond in a stunning live performance. These are expected to sell-out within days, so fans are advised to get in quick.
Described as ‘Cirque du Soleil on Wheels’, the much anticipated Top Gear Live show is a winner with blokes and women, young and old, with sell out shows around the world and rave reviews from happy fans. There’s something to satisfy every car enthusiast and Top Gear fan with 75 minutes of breath-taking stunts and driving sequences from some of the world’s best precision drivers - plus live versions of regular formats of the Top Gear programme, all brought to life with stunning stage effects and pyrotechnics.
This will be the first time the New Zealand public has been able to get up close to the Top Gear presenters. Bringing their cheeky and irreverent humour to the show, you can expect that anything-but-modest witty banter from the guys, "We've turned your motoring television show into the most spectacular motoring theatre show in the universe," said Clarkson. "We'll be taking all the best bits of Top Gear, and ambitiously attempting them live on stage."
Greg Murphy is thrilled to be the 3rd presenter and is looking forward to building up a rapport with the guys. His cheeky summary of the Top Gear guys included Clarkson as “The Big Man with a huge head with the job most men (and women) would kill for” and Hammond as “Similar, but with obvious changes.”
For those that can’t make it to the theatre show there is also the Top Gear Live Luxury Car Exhibition on the side, tickets go on sale for this on Wednesday January 14th at 9am. For $15 entry (free for Top Gear Live show ticket holders) this is one luxury car exhibition you won’t want to miss, with a showcase of everything from the latest car gadgets to some of the most expensive, rare and stylish cars in the world. Part of the Exhibition includes the infamous Stig’s Lair - an exclusive den with all the latest and greatest racing consoles, trigger and track racing, and is your chance to really experience the thrill of the track. Challenge the rest of the Top Gear Live audience to get the best time on the interactive New Zealand trigger raceway.
The Turtle Wax Hall of Fame has some of the top marques and brands featured in the show. Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar and Volvo are just a few of the top car brands set to wow Top Gear Live audience members as they go on display. Expect to see models such as AMG Mercedes, Jaguar XS, Range Rover Sport, Volvo XC60, and the Renault Megane R26 in all their motoring glory. More models are to be confirmed at the time of this release.
Tickets to both events are on sale from www.ticketek.co.nz
For more information please visit www.topgearlive.co.nz
Show Dates:
Thurs 12th - 6.30pm
Friday 13th - 5pm & 8pm
Saturday 14th - 11am, 2pm, 5pm & 8pm
Sunday 15th - 11am, 2pm & 5pm
Getting a ticket to the sold out Top Gear Live stage show, Auckland, February 12-15th 2009, has been harder than getting your hands on a McLaren F1 with tickets for all 10 shows racing out the door in record time!
Now, due to heavy demand and requests from enthusiastic fans, an extra 4,000 A-Reserve tickets will be released at 9am Tuesday January 13th through Ticketek – definitely your last chance to get to see those amazing superstars of motoring, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond in a stunning live performance. These are expected to sell-out within days, so fans are advised to get in quick.
Described as ‘Cirque du Soleil on Wheels’, the much anticipated Top Gear Live show is a winner with blokes and women, young and old, with sell out shows around the world and rave reviews from happy fans. There’s something to satisfy every car enthusiast and Top Gear fan with 75 minutes of breath-taking stunts and driving sequences from some of the world’s best precision drivers - plus live versions of regular formats of the Top Gear programme, all brought to life with stunning stage effects and pyrotechnics.
This will be the first time the New Zealand public has been able to get up close to the Top Gear presenters. Bringing their cheeky and irreverent humour to the show, you can expect that anything-but-modest witty banter from the guys, "We've turned your motoring television show into the most spectacular motoring theatre show in the universe," said Clarkson. "We'll be taking all the best bits of Top Gear, and ambitiously attempting them live on stage."
Greg Murphy is thrilled to be the 3rd presenter and is looking forward to building up a rapport with the guys. His cheeky summary of the Top Gear guys included Clarkson as “The Big Man with a huge head with the job most men (and women) would kill for” and Hammond as “Similar, but with obvious changes.”
For those that can’t make it to the theatre show there is also the Top Gear Live Luxury Car Exhibition on the side, tickets go on sale for this on Wednesday January 14th at 9am. For $15 entry (free for Top Gear Live show ticket holders) this is one luxury car exhibition you won’t want to miss, with a showcase of everything from the latest car gadgets to some of the most expensive, rare and stylish cars in the world. Part of the Exhibition includes the infamous Stig’s Lair - an exclusive den with all the latest and greatest racing consoles, trigger and track racing, and is your chance to really experience the thrill of the track. Challenge the rest of the Top Gear Live audience to get the best time on the interactive New Zealand trigger raceway.
The Turtle Wax Hall of Fame has some of the top marques and brands featured in the show. Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar and Volvo are just a few of the top car brands set to wow Top Gear Live audience members as they go on display. Expect to see models such as AMG Mercedes, Jaguar XS, Range Rover Sport, Volvo XC60, and the Renault Megane R26 in all their motoring glory. More models are to be confirmed at the time of this release.
Tickets to both events are on sale from www.ticketek.co.nz
For more information please visit www.topgearlive.co.nz
Show Dates:
Thurs 12th - 6.30pm
Friday 13th - 5pm & 8pm
Saturday 14th - 11am, 2pm, 5pm & 8pm
Sunday 15th - 11am, 2pm & 5pm
Motorsport: A1GP News Round Up
The first New Year action for A1GP World Cup of Motorsport was at the highly acclaimed Portimao Circuit in the Algarve last weekend. The series’ test team was in action with Italian F3 Champion, Mirko Bortolotti, at the wheel of the Powered by Ferrari car for the very first time.
The circuit received rave reviews after several Formula One teams tested there at the end of 2008 and Bortolotti certainly agreed with them when he said: “The track is fantastic but very tricky. We were here to test several new compounds and we have made a very good progress. I am sure that the work that we have done will help the development of the car a lot.”
Commenting on his first taste of the new A1GP car, he continued: “It was the first time I had tested an A1GP car and I loved it. It is absolutely great. We did a lot of laps, despite the rain in the morning and I hope I can get another chance to test the car.”
Bortolotti joined regular A1GP test driver, Andrea Bertolini, at the three day test.
Current championship leader, A1 Team Ireland, enjoyed plenty of media attention back home over the Christmas period and its drivers Adam Carroll and Niall Quinn took part in the BP Ultimate Celebrity Karting Challenge at Autosport International at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Great Britain last Friday (9 January). The annual Autosport International is the largest motorsport exhibition in the world, catering for motorsport and automotive industry professionals and motorsport fans.
Great Britain’s Danny Watts and James Winslow, and Italy’s Edoardo Piscopo were also in the A1GP team. While eight times Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen, was also competing to help raise money for the Richard Burns Foundation. The A1GP drivers, along with two members of the public, put up a good show despite stiff competition to finish eighth out of the 16 teams.
Plans are also progressing for A1GP’s return to Indonesia next month, for its third race in the country. A1 Team Indonesia fans had the chance to enjoy a day out at the Pejaten Village Mall last weekend to meet the team’s drivers, Satrio Hermanto and Zahir Ali, for autographs and photos. Ahead of the country’s first ever street race, fans will have two further opportunities on the 17 January in Gajah Mada Plaza and again on the 31 January in Supermall Karawaci to meet the team and win tickets to the race.
As part of the A1GP Lippo Village pre-race activities, the organisers have also scheduled many other events including the A1GP car on public display in several malls and places of interests in and around Jakarta. A Race Queen Competition will be held to select the Grid Girls for the event.
The start of the New Year brought in some resolutions from a number of A1GP Teams and drivers.
A1 Teams Australia and Brazil have set their sights on a podium by the end of the year, while A1 Team GBR’s resolution is to get that elusive double-win on home soil at Brands Hatch, having won the Sprint race and come a close second in the Feature race in the previous two A1GP seasons.
A1 Team Lebanon’s Daniel Morad had his own personal resolution: “I have already been waking up at 8am every day training for Taupo, which leads into the second part of my life that I am changing. I have realised that the level of fitness required in A1GP is so high that I am training for four hours a day now.”
A1 Team Malaysia has vowed to make quicker pit stops, with the team using every opportunity since the Sepang race to practice changing wheels. The team hopes to reap the rewards of its hard work this year. However, one of the team has had things other than pit stops on his mind, as mechanic Shanker Ramachandran took advantage of the end of year break in the calendar to tie the knot with his fiancée Sukanthi Ramachandran, celebrating his wedding with a traditional marriage ceremony and a colourful reception for his friends and family.
A1 Team Monaco resolves to be the best ambassador for its nation, defending the red and white home colours around the world. A1 Team South Africa’s resolution for 2009 is to help make the South African round at Kyalami a great success on the track, in the grandstands and in the media, while A1 Team USA’s goal is to get its first series win with Marco Andretti behind the wheel.
Current leaders A1 Team Ireland want to make sure everyone knows the Irish national anthem by the end of the season.
The A1GP teams are now making final preparations before heading to New Zealand next week, when round four of the 2008/09 season will take place at Taupo Motorsport Park.
The circuit received rave reviews after several Formula One teams tested there at the end of 2008 and Bortolotti certainly agreed with them when he said: “The track is fantastic but very tricky. We were here to test several new compounds and we have made a very good progress. I am sure that the work that we have done will help the development of the car a lot.”
Commenting on his first taste of the new A1GP car, he continued: “It was the first time I had tested an A1GP car and I loved it. It is absolutely great. We did a lot of laps, despite the rain in the morning and I hope I can get another chance to test the car.”
Bortolotti joined regular A1GP test driver, Andrea Bertolini, at the three day test.
Current championship leader, A1 Team Ireland, enjoyed plenty of media attention back home over the Christmas period and its drivers Adam Carroll and Niall Quinn took part in the BP Ultimate Celebrity Karting Challenge at Autosport International at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Great Britain last Friday (9 January). The annual Autosport International is the largest motorsport exhibition in the world, catering for motorsport and automotive industry professionals and motorsport fans.
Great Britain’s Danny Watts and James Winslow, and Italy’s Edoardo Piscopo were also in the A1GP team. While eight times Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen, was also competing to help raise money for the Richard Burns Foundation. The A1GP drivers, along with two members of the public, put up a good show despite stiff competition to finish eighth out of the 16 teams.
Plans are also progressing for A1GP’s return to Indonesia next month, for its third race in the country. A1 Team Indonesia fans had the chance to enjoy a day out at the Pejaten Village Mall last weekend to meet the team’s drivers, Satrio Hermanto and Zahir Ali, for autographs and photos. Ahead of the country’s first ever street race, fans will have two further opportunities on the 17 January in Gajah Mada Plaza and again on the 31 January in Supermall Karawaci to meet the team and win tickets to the race.
As part of the A1GP Lippo Village pre-race activities, the organisers have also scheduled many other events including the A1GP car on public display in several malls and places of interests in and around Jakarta. A Race Queen Competition will be held to select the Grid Girls for the event.
The start of the New Year brought in some resolutions from a number of A1GP Teams and drivers.
A1 Teams Australia and Brazil have set their sights on a podium by the end of the year, while A1 Team GBR’s resolution is to get that elusive double-win on home soil at Brands Hatch, having won the Sprint race and come a close second in the Feature race in the previous two A1GP seasons.
A1 Team Lebanon’s Daniel Morad had his own personal resolution: “I have already been waking up at 8am every day training for Taupo, which leads into the second part of my life that I am changing. I have realised that the level of fitness required in A1GP is so high that I am training for four hours a day now.”
A1 Team Malaysia has vowed to make quicker pit stops, with the team using every opportunity since the Sepang race to practice changing wheels. The team hopes to reap the rewards of its hard work this year. However, one of the team has had things other than pit stops on his mind, as mechanic Shanker Ramachandran took advantage of the end of year break in the calendar to tie the knot with his fiancée Sukanthi Ramachandran, celebrating his wedding with a traditional marriage ceremony and a colourful reception for his friends and family.
A1 Team Monaco resolves to be the best ambassador for its nation, defending the red and white home colours around the world. A1 Team South Africa’s resolution for 2009 is to help make the South African round at Kyalami a great success on the track, in the grandstands and in the media, while A1 Team USA’s goal is to get its first series win with Marco Andretti behind the wheel.
Current leaders A1 Team Ireland want to make sure everyone knows the Irish national anthem by the end of the season.
The A1GP teams are now making final preparations before heading to New Zealand next week, when round four of the 2008/09 season will take place at Taupo Motorsport Park.
Sailing : Day 64 onboard Roxy in the Vendée Globe
Sam Davies’ daily log - I am now a Cape Horner!
“Roxy and I passed Cape Horn at around 0930 yesterday morning!
Needless to say, in true Cape Horn style, my rounding of the mythical point was carried out in 40 knot winds and mountainous seas. However, also in true Cape Horn style, within a few miles of the point, the wind started to drop and I quickly found myself in less than ten knots of wind.
After a hard 48 hours in strong wind, no rest was granted to me as I shook out reef after reef and changed up headsails. The little wind there was also shifted all over the place, so I even ended up tacking Roxy in order to wriggle ourselves through the transition zone.
On top of this, there was also work to be done inside. I had to shift the gear that was stacked aft for the strong downwind conditions back to the middle of the boat to keep the trim perfect.
We have now found the wind and I have worked my way back down the reefs and reduced headsail again. We are reaching towards the Falklands in a very bumpy sea (so please excuse any keyboard error!). It is night time and there is a full moon that is lighting the deck like a spotlight; it is so bright!
I have my sleeping bag in my sights and I am finally going to get some rest! Good night!
S x”
At 1100 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 4th position, 1,777 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia
Motoring : Hulme CanAm breaks cover
New Zealand Supercar in honour of Denny Hulme shapes up for build
Auckland, New Zealand, 12 January, 2009: New Zealand-based Hulme Supercars has released the latest photograph of its two-seat Hulme CanAm road car, driven in the company of Greeta Hulme, widow of the late Denny Hulme, in whose honour the marque is named.
Celebrating Hulme’s F1 World Championship in 1967 and the New Zealander’s CanAm series victories in 1968 and 1970, the Hulme CanAm takes conceptual, engineering and styling cues from current Formula One and sports racing car technology.
Created for both road and track use, the car blends the raw flavour and appeal of a formula racing car with dramatic design, traditional craftsmanship, exceptional performance and a thrilling driving experience.
Designed and hand-built by the Hulme technology team in New Zealand - including members responsible for the nation’s America’s Cup triumph - in co-operation with Massey University, the road-legal CanAm features an ultra-lightweight carbon composite tub and bodywork and race-orientated chassis, suspension and braking, and is powered by a hand-built 7-litre (427cu.in) Chevrolet V8 developing 600bhp and 600Nm torque, fed through a close-ratio, six-speed CIMA gearbox.
As a consequence of its lightweight construction, the Hulme CanAm weighs in at less than 1,000kg but, despite its sensational performance and emphatic race car credentials, Hulme Supercars’ design and development focus has been on driveability, with power delivery and handling dynamics optimised for maximum driving enjoyment on track and on the road.
Hulme Supercars first unveiled a prototype - a closed cockpit derivative of the CanAm - at the UK’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2006, before inviting and assessing further consumer opinion at high-status events in the Middle East and China.
Positive feedback has led to the development of the open-top CanAm, and the unveiling of the pre-production car, which will now enter an extensive dynamic testing phase, prior to build of the production model.
Commenting on the CanAm following a drive in the pre-production car with Hulme Supercars’ founder and Managing Director, Jock Freemantle, Greeta Hulme said: The car is the most wonderful tribute to Denny, and I feel sure he would have applauded the sheer spirit, enthusiasm, technical expertise and craftsmanship that has come together in the creation of it.”
The Hulme CanAm is scheduled for limited production build in 2010, with a provisional price of Euro 295,000. The development of further model derivatives is planned, including a Coupe version.
Public viewing and demonstration run
The New Zealand public and A1GP race fans will have the opportunity to see the Hulme CanAm in its first public viewing, and demonstration run, at the forthcoming A1GP at Taupo at 11 am on Friday, 23 January. The car will be on display throughout the meeting.
Following the A1GP, the Hulme CanAm will be on display at the F5000 race meeting, again in Taupo, on the 31 January/1February, and at Ruapuna on the 7/8 February, Levels on the 14/15 February, Teretonga on the 21/22 February, and Manfield on the 28 February/1 March.
Caption: Greeta Hulme enjoys an outing with Jock Freemantle, Hulme Supercars MD, in the 600bhp pre-production Hulme CanAm, built as a tribute to her late husband, Denny Hulme
www.hulmesupercars.com
League : Delaney to find his voice as players representative
At just 23 years of age, Brett Delaney is far from an NRL veteran.
But the consistent Jetstar Gold Coast Titans centre is set to take on extra responsibility this season after being chosen to become part of a players’ representative group.
Delaney has been a mainstay of the Jetstar Titans’ line-up during the club’s opening two seasons in the NRL, playing 44 of a possible 48 matches – a statistic which makes him equal with hooker Nathan Friend as the most capped Titans player.
Despite his consistent efforts for the club, the Lalor Park junior has flown relatively under the radar as he has quietly gone about his business.
But that is all set to change this season, with the NSW City Origin representative to join senior campaigners Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Anthony Laffranchi, Preston Campbell, Mark Minichiello and Nathan Friend in an eight-man players’ representative group.
Youngster Will Matthews, 20, will also join Delaney as the other new member of the group.
The players’ representative group is designed to provide the players with a voice for topics which can then be raised with the coaching staff at regular meetings.
“I’m honoured to be in it,’’ said Delaney.
“It’s one of those things that you want to do and lead by example for the younger fellows. I’m just happy to be a voice for the lads in the team.
“My role won’t change too much, I’ll just be doing the same job out on the field.
“But in saying that I’ve got to get around and ask a few of the boys if they have any issues or stuff that they want to talk about with the coaches or the team and I can address it for them.
“That’s probably the biggest change, I’ll have to speak up a bit more.’’
Jetstar Titans coach John Cartwright said the addition of Delaney to the players’ representative group had been encouraged by the players themselves at the start of pre-season training in November.
“It was more or less selected by the players,’’ said Cartwright.
“The players put voices on there that need to be heard and it was very encouraging for me that they thought Brett deserved that role.
“He’s had two really good years for us and is still only young. He’s played about 60-odd first grade games so he’s still got his best football in front of him.
“He hasn’t missed many games for us and he doesn’t miss training at all. Some guys can carry little bumps and bruises and it’s always good to know because there’s not many games that you go into where someone doesn’t carry an injury.’’
Since making his NRL debut for Parramatta in 2005, Delaney has made 62 first grade appearances. His consistency since joining the Titans has seen him break into representative football with selection for NSW City Origin and the Prime Minister’s XIII.
“I came up here for an opportunity and I got that with Carty,’’ said Delaney. “It’s been a little goal of mine to try not to miss too much footy.
“I had a few bad injuries when I was a bit younger but now my body seems alright.’’
But the consistent Jetstar Gold Coast Titans centre is set to take on extra responsibility this season after being chosen to become part of a players’ representative group.
Delaney has been a mainstay of the Jetstar Titans’ line-up during the club’s opening two seasons in the NRL, playing 44 of a possible 48 matches – a statistic which makes him equal with hooker Nathan Friend as the most capped Titans player.
Despite his consistent efforts for the club, the Lalor Park junior has flown relatively under the radar as he has quietly gone about his business.
But that is all set to change this season, with the NSW City Origin representative to join senior campaigners Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Anthony Laffranchi, Preston Campbell, Mark Minichiello and Nathan Friend in an eight-man players’ representative group.
Youngster Will Matthews, 20, will also join Delaney as the other new member of the group.
The players’ representative group is designed to provide the players with a voice for topics which can then be raised with the coaching staff at regular meetings.
“I’m honoured to be in it,’’ said Delaney.
“It’s one of those things that you want to do and lead by example for the younger fellows. I’m just happy to be a voice for the lads in the team.
“My role won’t change too much, I’ll just be doing the same job out on the field.
“But in saying that I’ve got to get around and ask a few of the boys if they have any issues or stuff that they want to talk about with the coaches or the team and I can address it for them.
“That’s probably the biggest change, I’ll have to speak up a bit more.’’
Jetstar Titans coach John Cartwright said the addition of Delaney to the players’ representative group had been encouraged by the players themselves at the start of pre-season training in November.
“It was more or less selected by the players,’’ said Cartwright.
“The players put voices on there that need to be heard and it was very encouraging for me that they thought Brett deserved that role.
“He’s had two really good years for us and is still only young. He’s played about 60-odd first grade games so he’s still got his best football in front of him.
“He hasn’t missed many games for us and he doesn’t miss training at all. Some guys can carry little bumps and bruises and it’s always good to know because there’s not many games that you go into where someone doesn’t carry an injury.’’
Since making his NRL debut for Parramatta in 2005, Delaney has made 62 first grade appearances. His consistency since joining the Titans has seen him break into representative football with selection for NSW City Origin and the Prime Minister’s XIII.
“I came up here for an opportunity and I got that with Carty,’’ said Delaney. “It’s been a little goal of mine to try not to miss too much footy.
“I had a few bad injuries when I was a bit younger but now my body seems alright.’’
Motorsport: Liam Doran Takes First Win
Lydden Hill Motorsport Club Winter Series - Round 1 - 03.01.09 - Liam Doran Takes First Win
Liam Doran made the quantum leap from a spectacular, but erratic teenage racer to a mature, successful Rallycross driver with a well-judged victory in Saturday’s opening round of the Lydden Winter Series.
Driving the ex-Dermot Carnegie Fiesta now owned by his father Pat, motorsport supremo at the circuit, Doran, 21, refused to be rattled when he was beaten away from the start. He pushed on consistently, made only one small mistake when he clipped a course marker and went on to win by almost six seconds.
The event featured a welcome novelty: the “joker” lap. Each driver had to choose one lap of each race to complete an extra loop at Chesson’s Drift. The trick, of course, was to choose when to leave the pack and when to dive back into the fray.
Koen Pauwels’ Focus ST made the best start to the Supercar Final, while just behind him Doran found the nose of Steve Hill’s Mitsubishi Evo nuzzling his driver’s door. Once the Belgian had built up a couple of lengths lead he baled-out early for his joker and left Doran to pull out a useful lead over Hill.
When Pauwels swooped back onto the main track he had the momentum to squeeze past Hill as they slithered out of Chesson’s Drift and that was sufficient to secure second place. Hill, who had set a new track record during the heats, had to be content with third.
Afterwards a delighted Doran said “I hit Koen up the back when he braked early for the first corner. The impact shifted my mirrors and so I had no idea I was home and dry until the last lap.”
Julian Godfrey made the successful transition to Supermodifieds when he led all the way in the Final. Ryan Lawford emerged triumphant after a tremendous Stock Hatch battle with Darren Clark and Tom Keet won the RX150 Final after Ollie O’Donovan had spun out of a comfortable lead.
Two drivers from the Canterbury area starred in the best race of Saturday’s first round of the Winter Rallycross Series at Lydden Circuit, Ryan Lawford, from Blean was the quickest qualifier for the Stock Hatch event but Darren Clark, who lives at Chartham was not far behind. So the scene was set for a thrilling final. Their two 205 GTI Peugeots raced away from the start side by side, but then Clark elected to take his joker lap early and swerved onto the extra loop which has recently been added at Chesson’s Drift.
That left Lawford way out in front, but when he played his joker next time around he discovered that he had fallen behind Clark. Nevertheless he launched his car off the loop with extra momentum, drew alongside Clark and then inched ahead as they raced across The Meadow.
For the next two laps their cars seemed tied together until Clark lost control, skidded sideways through the slime at the Devil’s Elbow and ended up in the sand trap. Even so, he was still able to scramble back onto the track and claim second place ahead of Robert Ward’s Peugeot 205 GTI. Lawford, 22, was delighted to do so well in his first race of the year. The technician for the British Touring Car Championship’s Eurotech team said “I've just rebuilt the engine and the track was very, very slippery so I was pleased to finish so well.” He added “I think the joker lap is a brilliant new idea – it makes the racing even more exciting.”
Lydden Motorsport Club Winter Series – Round One
Supercars: 1 Liam Doran (Ford Fiesta ST) 3m37.451s;
2 Koen Pauwels (Ford Focus ST) 3m43.279s;
3 Steve Hill (Mitsubishi Evo) 3m45.930s.
Supermodified: Julian Godfrey (Ford Fiesta ST) 3m57.544s; 2 Stuart Emery (Peugeot 306); 3 Ray Morgan (Ford Escort Mk.3); 4 Daniel O’Brien (Ford Ka).
Stock Hatch: 1 Ryan Lawford (Peugeot 205 GTI) 4m19.251s; 2 Darren Clark (Peugeot 205 GTI); 3 Robert Ward (Peugeot 205 GTI). No other finishers.
RX150: 1 Tom Keet 4m03.834s; 2 Joe Shrimpton; 3 Ollie O’Donovan; 4 Alex Ingham.
Juniors: 1 Bradley Bailey (BL Mini) 4m34.352s. No other starters.
Liam Doran made the quantum leap from a spectacular, but erratic teenage racer to a mature, successful Rallycross driver with a well-judged victory in Saturday’s opening round of the Lydden Winter Series.
Driving the ex-Dermot Carnegie Fiesta now owned by his father Pat, motorsport supremo at the circuit, Doran, 21, refused to be rattled when he was beaten away from the start. He pushed on consistently, made only one small mistake when he clipped a course marker and went on to win by almost six seconds.
The event featured a welcome novelty: the “joker” lap. Each driver had to choose one lap of each race to complete an extra loop at Chesson’s Drift. The trick, of course, was to choose when to leave the pack and when to dive back into the fray.
Koen Pauwels’ Focus ST made the best start to the Supercar Final, while just behind him Doran found the nose of Steve Hill’s Mitsubishi Evo nuzzling his driver’s door. Once the Belgian had built up a couple of lengths lead he baled-out early for his joker and left Doran to pull out a useful lead over Hill.
When Pauwels swooped back onto the main track he had the momentum to squeeze past Hill as they slithered out of Chesson’s Drift and that was sufficient to secure second place. Hill, who had set a new track record during the heats, had to be content with third.
Afterwards a delighted Doran said “I hit Koen up the back when he braked early for the first corner. The impact shifted my mirrors and so I had no idea I was home and dry until the last lap.”
Julian Godfrey made the successful transition to Supermodifieds when he led all the way in the Final. Ryan Lawford emerged triumphant after a tremendous Stock Hatch battle with Darren Clark and Tom Keet won the RX150 Final after Ollie O’Donovan had spun out of a comfortable lead.
Two drivers from the Canterbury area starred in the best race of Saturday’s first round of the Winter Rallycross Series at Lydden Circuit, Ryan Lawford, from Blean was the quickest qualifier for the Stock Hatch event but Darren Clark, who lives at Chartham was not far behind. So the scene was set for a thrilling final. Their two 205 GTI Peugeots raced away from the start side by side, but then Clark elected to take his joker lap early and swerved onto the extra loop which has recently been added at Chesson’s Drift.
That left Lawford way out in front, but when he played his joker next time around he discovered that he had fallen behind Clark. Nevertheless he launched his car off the loop with extra momentum, drew alongside Clark and then inched ahead as they raced across The Meadow.
For the next two laps their cars seemed tied together until Clark lost control, skidded sideways through the slime at the Devil’s Elbow and ended up in the sand trap. Even so, he was still able to scramble back onto the track and claim second place ahead of Robert Ward’s Peugeot 205 GTI. Lawford, 22, was delighted to do so well in his first race of the year. The technician for the British Touring Car Championship’s Eurotech team said “I've just rebuilt the engine and the track was very, very slippery so I was pleased to finish so well.” He added “I think the joker lap is a brilliant new idea – it makes the racing even more exciting.”
Lydden Motorsport Club Winter Series – Round One
Supercars: 1 Liam Doran (Ford Fiesta ST) 3m37.451s;
2 Koen Pauwels (Ford Focus ST) 3m43.279s;
3 Steve Hill (Mitsubishi Evo) 3m45.930s.
Supermodified: Julian Godfrey (Ford Fiesta ST) 3m57.544s; 2 Stuart Emery (Peugeot 306); 3 Ray Morgan (Ford Escort Mk.3); 4 Daniel O’Brien (Ford Ka).
Stock Hatch: 1 Ryan Lawford (Peugeot 205 GTI) 4m19.251s; 2 Darren Clark (Peugeot 205 GTI); 3 Robert Ward (Peugeot 205 GTI). No other finishers.
RX150: 1 Tom Keet 4m03.834s; 2 Joe Shrimpton; 3 Ollie O’Donovan; 4 Alex Ingham.
Juniors: 1 Bradley Bailey (BL Mini) 4m34.352s. No other starters.
Motoring: Celebrating 60 Years of Bentley Racing at Silverstone
The Bentley Drivers Club is celebrating its 60th year of racing at Silverstone with its first ever two-day meeting, on 8-9 August 2009. Everything from Vintage Bentleys to modern-day machines will take to the track in this, the 60th anniversary of the Club’s first Silverstone race meeting – honouring a continuous run of annual BDC events at the circuit, from 1949 to the present day.
Among the highlights at the 60th Anniversary Meeting will be the traditional Bentley handicap race, a unique feature of BDC meetings and a firm favourite with both participants and spectators. The handicap race allows Bentleys of every era to take part in a genuinely competitive battle for victory. Since each car is started from the pit-lane, a 1925 Bentley 3 Litre might have a full two-lap head start on a more modern Turbo R, and the fight is on – right down to the chequered flag.
Equally popular is the Bentley Drivers Club ‘All-Comers’ race. Here, as well as a large helping of Bentleys, you can expect to see cars varying from a humble Lotus Sunbeam or Triumph GT6, through to a modern McLaren or Lola T70.
Meanwhile, there will also be the traditional Bentley Parade on the Saturday, which invites any club member who turns up in a Bentley, new or old, to drive three laps of the Silverstone circuit – topped off by a taste of ultimate performance, with a track demonstration of the 2003 Le Mans-winning Bentley Speed 8. Off-track, spectators can wander through an impressive display of significant Bentley race cars, including past Le Mans winners, Brooklands cars, and Bentleys that have raced at BDC events throughout the past 60 years.
“The annual Bentley Drivers Club meeting is acknowledged for presenting the very best of ‘proper’ club racing – highly competitive on-track, but relaxed and friendly off-track,” says Sebastian Welch, Competitions Captain of the BDC. “While there are a number of races exclusive to the Bentley marque, we’re also delighted that the Aston Martin Owners’ Club will be racing at the two-day BDC meeting, along with a round of the Morgan Championship, the Masters Top Hat historic saloons and Cloth Cap pre-’66 sports GTs – plus the Equipe GTS for sports and GT cars. This looks set to be the most exciting – and certainly the most extensive – race meeting the Bentley Drivers Club has ever run.”
Motoring : Multi-Million Pound Car Park At The Pistonheads Show
Some of the world’s most exotic supercars, worth the national debt of a small country, will be on display at the PistonHeads Show next month to make visitors drool; and that’s just in the Members’ Car Display! The PistonHeads Show is part of the Autosport International Show, which takes place from 8-11 January 2009 at the Birmingham NEC.
The Members’ Car Display will contain a multi-million pound line-up of machinery that has re-written the rules of the motoring world, as their owners flock to the first major motoring event of 2009. Many of the cars would be worthy of a stand inside the show to themselves, but you can see them all under one roof, a car park more exclusive than the lot underneath a Monte Carlo casino…
The PistonHeads Members’ Car Display will feature a great mix of supercars, alongside more down-to-earth performance cars. A Porsche 993 Turbo, Ginetta G27 and Porsche-developed Audi RS2 are just a few of the more affordable cars on show.
As always a healthy contingent of TVRs will be a highlight of the PistonHeads Car Display, with twelve scheduled to make the trip to Birmingham; including a very rare production prototype of the Sagaris, and one of the first Griffiths.
If you enjoy looking out for real continental rarities, then you’ll relish the Venturi 300 Atlantique and De Tomaso Guara, while for those into cars from the other side of the Atlantic, there’ll also be a Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper, as well as a Dodge Challenger fresh from the States.
“Once more we’ve been fortunate to have some fantastic support from our members, proving the point that individuals can contribute as much to the show as exhibitors with some amazing machinery,” said PistonHeads Show Director Dave Ryan. “The Members’ Car Display will contain a genuine
multi-million pound line-up and it makes fascinating viewing, which is not something that you can say about most car parks in this country!”
Tickets to the show are now on sale; general admission to the PistonHeads Show costs £29 for adults and £19 for children aged five to 15, and includes entrance to the Autosport International show as well as a 34-page souvenir brochure. To book, visit www.pistonheadsshow.com or call 0044 (0) 844 579 31870044 (0) 844 579 3187 .
Paddock passes are available for £35 per adult and £25 for children. In addition to standard admission, visitors will have access to the Driver Signing Area as well as fast-track entry to the Live Action Arena and a great viewing position at the centre of the grandstands.
A Platinum Club pass, at £100, includes all the benefits of the Paddock Pass plus exclusive access to the VIP enclosure at the very top of the Live Action Arena grandstand, complete with champagne and canapés. You will also receive complimentary parking, cloakroom at the NEC plus a goodie bag.
The Members’ Car Display will contain a multi-million pound line-up of machinery that has re-written the rules of the motoring world, as their owners flock to the first major motoring event of 2009. Many of the cars would be worthy of a stand inside the show to themselves, but you can see them all under one roof, a car park more exclusive than the lot underneath a Monte Carlo casino…
The PistonHeads Members’ Car Display will feature a great mix of supercars, alongside more down-to-earth performance cars. A Porsche 993 Turbo, Ginetta G27 and Porsche-developed Audi RS2 are just a few of the more affordable cars on show.
As always a healthy contingent of TVRs will be a highlight of the PistonHeads Car Display, with twelve scheduled to make the trip to Birmingham; including a very rare production prototype of the Sagaris, and one of the first Griffiths.
If you enjoy looking out for real continental rarities, then you’ll relish the Venturi 300 Atlantique and De Tomaso Guara, while for those into cars from the other side of the Atlantic, there’ll also be a Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper, as well as a Dodge Challenger fresh from the States.
“Once more we’ve been fortunate to have some fantastic support from our members, proving the point that individuals can contribute as much to the show as exhibitors with some amazing machinery,” said PistonHeads Show Director Dave Ryan. “The Members’ Car Display will contain a genuine
multi-million pound line-up and it makes fascinating viewing, which is not something that you can say about most car parks in this country!”
Tickets to the show are now on sale; general admission to the PistonHeads Show costs £29 for adults and £19 for children aged five to 15, and includes entrance to the Autosport International show as well as a 34-page souvenir brochure. To book, visit www.pistonheadsshow.com or call 0044 (0) 844 579 31870044 (0) 844 579 3187 .
Paddock passes are available for £35 per adult and £25 for children. In addition to standard admission, visitors will have access to the Driver Signing Area as well as fast-track entry to the Live Action Arena and a great viewing position at the centre of the grandstands.
A Platinum Club pass, at £100, includes all the benefits of the Paddock Pass plus exclusive access to the VIP enclosure at the very top of the Live Action Arena grandstand, complete with champagne and canapés. You will also receive complimentary parking, cloakroom at the NEC plus a goodie bag.
Cricket : Auckland Hearts captain suspended after swearing directed at umpire
State Auckland Hearts captain Paula Gruber has been suspended for three playing days after swearing at an umpire during Auckland’s State League game against Canterbury in Christchurch on 4 January.
Umpires Peter Spall and Peter Gasston filed a report that after an Auckland dismissal by run out, Gruber, who was sitting on the boundary, was heard to loudly direct a comment to the umpire involving swearing, disputing the decision.
The incident was reported as breach of Rule 3a of the New Zealand Cricket Code of Conduct, relating to unacceptable behaviour.
A hearing on the alleged breach was convened Association Commissioner Lee Robinson on 6 January. In his decision Robinson noted that Gruber had agreed that the comment should not have been made, and that she had apologised to the umpires at the time.
Robinson noted that Gruber had a longstanding record of playing for Auckland and had not previously offended. The penalty of three playing days was lower than the possible penalty of five days, taking into account the player’s unreserved apology and fact that the incident was a momentary outburst, Robinson said.
Umpires Peter Spall and Peter Gasston filed a report that after an Auckland dismissal by run out, Gruber, who was sitting on the boundary, was heard to loudly direct a comment to the umpire involving swearing, disputing the decision.
The incident was reported as breach of Rule 3a of the New Zealand Cricket Code of Conduct, relating to unacceptable behaviour.
A hearing on the alleged breach was convened Association Commissioner Lee Robinson on 6 January. In his decision Robinson noted that Gruber had agreed that the comment should not have been made, and that she had apologised to the umpires at the time.
Robinson noted that Gruber had a longstanding record of playing for Auckland and had not previously offended. The penalty of three playing days was lower than the possible penalty of five days, taking into account the player’s unreserved apology and fact that the incident was a momentary outburst, Robinson said.
Golf : NEW SCHOOLS FOR QUEENSTOWN
P.G.A Professional Bevan Kidd and golf tour operator Peak Golf Queenstown have joined forces to offer Queenstown’s first golf school where participants play on a different course every day.
The three day golf schools combine tuition and play and are targeted at golfers looking to improve their game while playing world renowned golf courses with those who know them best.
Long time Queenstown golf professional Bevan Kidd says he’s been aware of demand for a personalised service for some time.
“The combination of great golf courses, a P.G.A Professional, and luxury transport all in Queenstown makes an attractive offering for golfers from anywhere. Golf school participants will be very well looked after from start to finish. People can book in, learn and play without worrying about any of the details.
“And the tuition component is thorough,” says Kidd. “Improving the golf swing starts from the ground up and involves learning the foundation of the swing. I like to work with each individual and show them how to get the most out their game. Watching golfers improve is my motivation”.
Peak Golf Queenstown (P.G.Q) is a newcomer to the local golf scene and operates golf trips to all the local courses.
“Peak Golf Queenstown was created to make the golfers experience easier. We take care of tee bookings, provide the transport and supply the clubs if necessary” says director Stephen Jensen.
Transport comes in the form of an air conditioned luxury Mercedes coach, and executive club hire is available to golfers travelling without clubs. Jensen says visitors can hire the latest model Taylormade sets.
The Golf Schools include all transport, tuition fees, lunches, electric cart hire and green fees. The three day golf schools operate all year round and are suitable for all levels of golfer from beginners through to highly skilled players.
Each of the three days starts with instruction at Queenstown’s newest golf course at the base of The Remarkables and cover different aspects of the game including short game, putting, bunker play and the full swing.
After lunch it’s 18 holes of golf on one of the areas magnificent courses. Kidd will accompany the players in the afternoon and point out the on-course skills which they can learn to further help lower their score.
“Course management, routine and target focus are a few of the areas we’ll focus on” says Kidd.
Golf school participants will play on three of the region’s courses. These include the Arrowtown Golf course favoured by locals for its rocky outcrops and undulating fairways, Millbrook Resort’s Sir Bob Charles designed championship course complete with recently opened new holes and Jacks Point, the region’s newest course and already heralded by many as one of the best in New Zealand.
About Bevan Kidd
Kidd has ten years full time Professional coaching experience in Queenstown and in various countries throughout Europe. As well as teaching beginners the rudiments of the game he’s coached a number of top amateur golfers and several playing professionals.
For more information and booking details go to www.peakgolfqueenstown.co.nz or www.bevankiddgolf.com
The three day golf schools combine tuition and play and are targeted at golfers looking to improve their game while playing world renowned golf courses with those who know them best.
Long time Queenstown golf professional Bevan Kidd says he’s been aware of demand for a personalised service for some time.
“The combination of great golf courses, a P.G.A Professional, and luxury transport all in Queenstown makes an attractive offering for golfers from anywhere. Golf school participants will be very well looked after from start to finish. People can book in, learn and play without worrying about any of the details.
“And the tuition component is thorough,” says Kidd. “Improving the golf swing starts from the ground up and involves learning the foundation of the swing. I like to work with each individual and show them how to get the most out their game. Watching golfers improve is my motivation”.
Peak Golf Queenstown (P.G.Q) is a newcomer to the local golf scene and operates golf trips to all the local courses.
“Peak Golf Queenstown was created to make the golfers experience easier. We take care of tee bookings, provide the transport and supply the clubs if necessary” says director Stephen Jensen.
Transport comes in the form of an air conditioned luxury Mercedes coach, and executive club hire is available to golfers travelling without clubs. Jensen says visitors can hire the latest model Taylormade sets.
The Golf Schools include all transport, tuition fees, lunches, electric cart hire and green fees. The three day golf schools operate all year round and are suitable for all levels of golfer from beginners through to highly skilled players.
Each of the three days starts with instruction at Queenstown’s newest golf course at the base of The Remarkables and cover different aspects of the game including short game, putting, bunker play and the full swing.
After lunch it’s 18 holes of golf on one of the areas magnificent courses. Kidd will accompany the players in the afternoon and point out the on-course skills which they can learn to further help lower their score.
“Course management, routine and target focus are a few of the areas we’ll focus on” says Kidd.
Golf school participants will play on three of the region’s courses. These include the Arrowtown Golf course favoured by locals for its rocky outcrops and undulating fairways, Millbrook Resort’s Sir Bob Charles designed championship course complete with recently opened new holes and Jacks Point, the region’s newest course and already heralded by many as one of the best in New Zealand.
About Bevan Kidd
Kidd has ten years full time Professional coaching experience in Queenstown and in various countries throughout Europe. As well as teaching beginners the rudiments of the game he’s coached a number of top amateur golfers and several playing professionals.
For more information and booking details go to www.peakgolfqueenstown.co.nz or www.bevankiddgolf.com
Boating : BOATING LICENCE PRACTICAL LOG BOOK – FACT SHEET (AUSTRALIA)
1. When will it be compulsory to comply with practical boating experience requirements? It will be compulsory from 1 June 2009, for new general and PWC licence applicants. The introduction of a practical boating experience requirement was announced on the 4 June 2008 as part of the major reforms to marine safety laws.
2. Will applicants for a boat licence be required to pay a fee to obtain the Logbook? There is no charge for the Logbook.
3. What constitutes an experienced skipper? An experienced skipper is someone who holds a current boat licence and has held that licence for a minimum of 3 years.
4. Must the Boating Safety Course be completed prior to gaining practical boating experience? No. Practical boating experience and Boating Safety Course requirements can be completed in any order, but both must be done before sitting the written licence test.
5. Once the Boating Safety Course and practical boating experience have been complied with, where can the licence test be undertaken? On presentation of documents showing completion of the Boating Safety Course and practical boating experience, the licence test can be undertaken at any NSW Maritime operations centre, RTA Motor Registry, Government Access Centre or Recognised Training Provider.
6. Will the Logbook be audited? Yes. NSW Maritime will undertake random audits to verify that licence seekers have honestly completed the Logbook.
7. What will happen if it is found that the Logbook details are false? The boat licence will be immediately cancelled. The Boating Safety Course, practical boating experience and the licence test will need to be satisfied again before a new licence is issued. The maximum penalty for such an offence is $5,500.
8. How does the NSW boat licensing system compare to other marine jurisdictions in Australia? NSW has some of the toughest licence requirements in Australia which in turn has some of the toughest requirements in the world (for example the USA and UK have no recreational boat licences). NSW was the first State to introduce a formal boat licensing system (1962). Minister Tripodi introduced major changes to the scheme in 2005 toughening the licence tests and again in 2006 when it became compulsory to undertake a Boating Safety Course before sitting for the licence test. The practical boating experience to come into effect from 1/6/09 sees NSW being the first jurisdiction to introduce a concise logbook, based on National Marine Safety Guidelines for Recreational Boat Operator Competencies.
2. Will applicants for a boat licence be required to pay a fee to obtain the Logbook? There is no charge for the Logbook.
3. What constitutes an experienced skipper? An experienced skipper is someone who holds a current boat licence and has held that licence for a minimum of 3 years.
4. Must the Boating Safety Course be completed prior to gaining practical boating experience? No. Practical boating experience and Boating Safety Course requirements can be completed in any order, but both must be done before sitting the written licence test.
5. Once the Boating Safety Course and practical boating experience have been complied with, where can the licence test be undertaken? On presentation of documents showing completion of the Boating Safety Course and practical boating experience, the licence test can be undertaken at any NSW Maritime operations centre, RTA Motor Registry, Government Access Centre or Recognised Training Provider.
6. Will the Logbook be audited? Yes. NSW Maritime will undertake random audits to verify that licence seekers have honestly completed the Logbook.
7. What will happen if it is found that the Logbook details are false? The boat licence will be immediately cancelled. The Boating Safety Course, practical boating experience and the licence test will need to be satisfied again before a new licence is issued. The maximum penalty for such an offence is $5,500.
8. How does the NSW boat licensing system compare to other marine jurisdictions in Australia? NSW has some of the toughest licence requirements in Australia which in turn has some of the toughest requirements in the world (for example the USA and UK have no recreational boat licences). NSW was the first State to introduce a formal boat licensing system (1962). Minister Tripodi introduced major changes to the scheme in 2005 toughening the licence tests and again in 2006 when it became compulsory to undertake a Boating Safety Course before sitting for the licence test. The practical boating experience to come into effect from 1/6/09 sees NSW being the first jurisdiction to introduce a concise logbook, based on National Marine Safety Guidelines for Recreational Boat Operator Competencies.
Boating : New requirements for powerboat licences (Australia)
New practical requirement for powerboat licences January 12, 2009 People wanting a powerboat licence will first be required to get practical ‘on-water’ boating experience under a landmark safety reform announced today by Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi. Launching a new practical component of the NSW boat licensing system, Mr Tripodi said anyone seeking a licence will have to complete a Boating Licence Practical Logbook under the guidance of an experienced skipper. “These changes are the result of overwhelming feedback from the boating community,” Mr Tripodi said. “When you apply for a driver’s licence you have to prove you have the practical skills to drive a motor vehicle. The same principle should apply for boating.” Mr Tripodi said the Boating Logbook was part of a more rigorous approach to boat licence testing to ensure people boating on State waters have the best possible boating safety knowledge. “Obtaining a General Boat Licence now involves three steps: the new practical component, completion of the Boating Safety Course, either on-line, by CD or at a training course and a theory test undertaken at a NSW Maritime office.” The logbook will be available at all NSW Maritime service centres, RTA Motor Registries, and Government Access Centres. It can also be downloaded from Maritime’s website ready for the introduction of the new licensing requirements on June 1, 2009. Mr Tripodi said licence applicants will have two means by which they can gain practical boating experience: • undertaking a minimum of three trips in a powered vessel under the guidance of an experienced skipper and completing the Boating Licence Practical Logbook, or • attending a practical course conducted by a Recognised Training Provider. “To complete the logbook which contains a checklist of practical, on-water experiences, a ‘trainee’ must be accompanied by a licensed skipper who then verifies that the specific activities have been undertaken,” Mr Tripodi said.
“Compliance by the boating community is very high, above 90%, nevertheless random audits will be conducted to verify licence applicants have honestly completed the logbook.” The list of practical activities includes: • Awareness of navigation requirements and laws; • Showing an ability to identify hazards and boating conditions while navigating the boat; • Selecting a safe anchorage site in accordance with prevailing and forecast conditions and in accordance with legislation; • Wearing a lifejacket; • Selecting correct type of anchor for location; • Manoeuvring the boat according to various conditions; • Preparing a trip plan using checklist provided. “As with people applying for a car driver’s licence, there is also the option of signing up for boat handling lessons through an accredited training provider,” Mr Tripodi said. “So the option for each new licence applicant is to complete either an approved practical course with an accredited training provider or complete the new Boating Licence Practical Logbook with the help of an experienced skipper.” The Logbook is based on national marine safety guidelines and has been developed in consultation with stakeholder groups. “While not compulsory I encourage those intending to get their boat licence between now and June to use the logbook as a useful safety guide.” Businessman Marcus Blackmore, a member of the NSW Maritime Advisory Council, said ”the underpinning of boat licences with an appropriate level of practical experience was a sensible approach by government to improving the safe recreational use of our waterways in NSW”. The reforms have also been welcomed by the President of the Boat Owners’ Association, Michael Chapman. “The new log book is a practical initiative to improve boating safety. The inclusion of safety tips for the skipper and trainee encourages a straightforward and consistent approach for licensing,” Mr Chapman said.
“Compliance by the boating community is very high, above 90%, nevertheless random audits will be conducted to verify licence applicants have honestly completed the logbook.” The list of practical activities includes: • Awareness of navigation requirements and laws; • Showing an ability to identify hazards and boating conditions while navigating the boat; • Selecting a safe anchorage site in accordance with prevailing and forecast conditions and in accordance with legislation; • Wearing a lifejacket; • Selecting correct type of anchor for location; • Manoeuvring the boat according to various conditions; • Preparing a trip plan using checklist provided. “As with people applying for a car driver’s licence, there is also the option of signing up for boat handling lessons through an accredited training provider,” Mr Tripodi said. “So the option for each new licence applicant is to complete either an approved practical course with an accredited training provider or complete the new Boating Licence Practical Logbook with the help of an experienced skipper.” The Logbook is based on national marine safety guidelines and has been developed in consultation with stakeholder groups. “While not compulsory I encourage those intending to get their boat licence between now and June to use the logbook as a useful safety guide.” Businessman Marcus Blackmore, a member of the NSW Maritime Advisory Council, said ”the underpinning of boat licences with an appropriate level of practical experience was a sensible approach by government to improving the safe recreational use of our waterways in NSW”. The reforms have also been welcomed by the President of the Boat Owners’ Association, Michael Chapman. “The new log book is a practical initiative to improve boating safety. The inclusion of safety tips for the skipper and trainee encourages a straightforward and consistent approach for licensing,” Mr Chapman said.
Cricket : National Under-19 team named
New Zealand Cricket has announced the national Under-19 team to undertake a tour of the North Island in February.
National age group selectors Kaushik Patel (convenor), John Wright, Mark O’Neill and Lance Cairns confirmed the team at the conclusion of the National Under-19 Cricket Tournament yesterday [Sunday 11 January]. The team is:
BJ Barnett (Central Districts)
Jonathon Bassett-Graham (Auckland)
Nicholas Beard (Otago)
Harry Boam (Wellington)
Craig Cachopa (Auckland)
Matt Farrant (Canterbury)
James Fuller (Otago)
Tom Latham (Canterbury)
Andrew Mathieson (Northern Districts)
James Neesham (Auckland)
Michael Pollard (Wellington)
Dean Robinson (Central Districts)
Ili Tugaga (Wellington)
Anurag Verma (Northern Districts)
The internal tour consists of three-day matches against the Wellington A (Wellington, 3-5 February), Northern Districts A (Taupo, 8-10 February) and two one-day games against Auckland A (Auckland, 12 and 13 February).
“This short tour gives these emerging players a wonderful opportunity to test their ability against experienced senior players, many of whom are on the verge of establishing first-class careers” said coach Mark O’Neill.
“The team is well balanced, with half the team having already played for the New Zealand Under-19s and a number who impressed at the recent National Under-19 tournament.”
National age group selectors Kaushik Patel (convenor), John Wright, Mark O’Neill and Lance Cairns confirmed the team at the conclusion of the National Under-19 Cricket Tournament yesterday [Sunday 11 January]. The team is:
BJ Barnett (Central Districts)
Jonathon Bassett-Graham (Auckland)
Nicholas Beard (Otago)
Harry Boam (Wellington)
Craig Cachopa (Auckland)
Matt Farrant (Canterbury)
James Fuller (Otago)
Tom Latham (Canterbury)
Andrew Mathieson (Northern Districts)
James Neesham (Auckland)
Michael Pollard (Wellington)
Dean Robinson (Central Districts)
Ili Tugaga (Wellington)
Anurag Verma (Northern Districts)
The internal tour consists of three-day matches against the Wellington A (Wellington, 3-5 February), Northern Districts A (Taupo, 8-10 February) and two one-day games against Auckland A (Auckland, 12 and 13 February).
“This short tour gives these emerging players a wonderful opportunity to test their ability against experienced senior players, many of whom are on the verge of establishing first-class careers” said coach Mark O’Neill.
“The team is well balanced, with half the team having already played for the New Zealand Under-19s and a number who impressed at the recent National Under-19 tournament.”
Motorsport: Porsche GT3 Cup Brings Home Victory
The Land Motorsport Porsche Team from Germany is the winner of the 24 Hours of Dubai. Carsten Tilke, Gabriel Abergel, Niclas Kentenich, and Andrzej Dzikevic brought home the title this weekend, covering 573 laps in the 5.4-kilometre Dubai Autodrome in their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup without the slightest technical problem. Just two laps behind, Kurt Thiim, Martin Tschornia, Franjo Kovac, and Roland Asch, together with his son Sebastian, finished third in their Besaplast Racing GT3, representing the second German Porsche Team on the podium. Out of the overall field of 81 cars, no less than eight Porsches were among the ten best in the overall rating.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR also entered by Land Motorsport, with Hermann Tilke, Marc Basseng, Dirk Adorf, and Christian Land at the wheel, ranked as the favourite in the first third of the race. “The Team has lots of experience and they were doing a wonderful job. The drivers had everything they needed to win the race”, states Wolfgang Land, the Team Manager of Land Motorsport. But when the rear end of the car caught fire nine hours into the race, the damage was so bad that the Team had to retire. “Following this unexpected incident, we had to completely change our tactics and concentrate all our resources”, states Wolfgang Land.
Maintaining a high level of consistency all the way and benefiting from by far the shortest time in the pits, the young drivers in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup were able to gain the upper hand in the ongoing course of the race, bringing home victory for the Land Motorsport Team. “The guys all put up a great job, without the slightest mistake. They got everything right. It really was a magnificent achievement by all four drivers”, said Team Manager Wolfgang Land after the race.
Result of the 24 Hours of Dubai, 9 - 10 January 2009
1st Land Motorsport 2, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 573 laps
2nd Al Faisal Racing 1, BMW Z4 M Coupé 573, laps
3rd Besaplast Racing, Team Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 571 laps
4th ARC Bratislava, Porsche 911 GT3 570, laps
5th Hubert Bergh Motorsport, Porsche 911 Supercup, 566 laps
6th Jetalliance Racing, Porsche 911, 566 laps
7th First Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S, 548 laps
8th CM Creative Marketing GmbH, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 546 laps
9th Duller Motorsport 1, BMW M3 E46 GTR, 543 laps
10th De Lorenzi Racing srl., Porsche 911 GT Cup, 543 laps
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR also entered by Land Motorsport, with Hermann Tilke, Marc Basseng, Dirk Adorf, and Christian Land at the wheel, ranked as the favourite in the first third of the race. “The Team has lots of experience and they were doing a wonderful job. The drivers had everything they needed to win the race”, states Wolfgang Land, the Team Manager of Land Motorsport. But when the rear end of the car caught fire nine hours into the race, the damage was so bad that the Team had to retire. “Following this unexpected incident, we had to completely change our tactics and concentrate all our resources”, states Wolfgang Land.
Maintaining a high level of consistency all the way and benefiting from by far the shortest time in the pits, the young drivers in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup were able to gain the upper hand in the ongoing course of the race, bringing home victory for the Land Motorsport Team. “The guys all put up a great job, without the slightest mistake. They got everything right. It really was a magnificent achievement by all four drivers”, said Team Manager Wolfgang Land after the race.
Result of the 24 Hours of Dubai, 9 - 10 January 2009
1st Land Motorsport 2, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 573 laps
2nd Al Faisal Racing 1, BMW Z4 M Coupé 573, laps
3rd Besaplast Racing, Team Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 571 laps
4th ARC Bratislava, Porsche 911 GT3 570, laps
5th Hubert Bergh Motorsport, Porsche 911 Supercup, 566 laps
6th Jetalliance Racing, Porsche 911, 566 laps
7th First Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S, 548 laps
8th CM Creative Marketing GmbH, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 546 laps
9th Duller Motorsport 1, BMW M3 E46 GTR, 543 laps
10th De Lorenzi Racing srl., Porsche 911 GT Cup, 543 laps
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Cricket : Auckland beat Canterbury to win National Under-19 title
National Under-19 cricket tournament, Lincoln
Auckland is the winner of the 2008/09 National Under-19 cricket tournament after beating Canterbury by five wickets.
Auckland won the toss in today's final on the Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln and put Canterbury in to bat. After losing Tom Latham early, Bill Walsh and Des Kruger got Canterbury back on track with 41 for the second wicket. The fifth wicket partnership between Liam Bartholomeusz and Logan Van Beek then gave the innings real impetus with Van Beek hitting an aggressive 64 off 73 balls including two fours and two sixes – as well as some excellent running between the wickets. After Van Beek was dismissed the innings folded quickly and Canterbury was all out in 45.3 overs for 209.
In reply Michael Barry was out early in Auckland’s innings, but Kirk Bunting and Jimmy Neesham put on 103 for the second wicket. Bunting made 62 off 89 balls and Neesham an attacking 69 off 48 balls including 11 fours and a six. Tony Manning was not out on 34 when Auckland reached the target in 45.4 overs. Matt Farrant and Logan Van Beek both took two wickets each but in the end it was a well-paced victory for Auckland.
• Canterbury 209 (Liam Bartholomeusz 38, Logan Van Beek 64, Jimmy Neesham 3/39) lost to Auckland 211/5 (Kirk Bunting 62, Jimmy Neesham 69, Tony Manning 34*) by 5 wickets
The play off for third and fourth between Wellington and Otago, on Lincoln No. 3, was the closest match of the day. Batting first, Otago put on 23 for the first wicket but was unable to put together any sizeable partnerships until Nick Beard and Jesse Simpson put on 69 for the fifth wicket. Simpson top scored with 70 off 92 balls and Beard chipped in with 32, helping Otago to 231. For Wellington Thomas Pere took 4/44 off his 10 overs.
Chasing 232, Wellington lost an early wicket before Michael Pollard with 48 and Vinnie Ward with 22 put on 47 for the second wicket. They lost wickets regularly until Harry Wright and Chamika Gajanayaki combined to add 81 for the sixth wicket, Gajanayaki scoring 64 off 91 balls. Wellington fell short, finishing all out for 224 in 48.4 overs to give Otago a win by 7 runs.
• Otago 231/9 (Jesse Simpson 70, Thomas Pere 4/44) beat Wellington 224 (Michael Pollard 48, Chamika Gajanayaki 64, James Fuller 3/61, Nick Beard 3/11) by 7 runs
Central Districts and Northern Districts played for fifth and sixth places, Central winning the toss on Lincoln Green and choosing to bat. They were in trouble at 2/4 but Andy Dodd continued his fine tournament form with 68 off 104 balls, putting on 122 for the third wicket with Ben Smith who made 64 off 108 balls. Bronson Meehan and Ethan Bolstad chipped in with 33 and 26 runs respectively and at the end of 50 overs CD had made 229/6.
Northern seemed to have saved their best batting until the last game and a series of solid partnerships took them to victory in 49 overs with five wickets in hand. Ashwyn Kilgour top scored with 52 not out from 64 balls and he put on an unbeaten 47 with Anurag Verwag for the sixth wicket, seeing the side home. Vermag finished on 26 not out off 26 balls.
• Central Districts 229/6 (Ben Smith 64, Andy Dodd 68, Anurag Verma 3/48) lost to Northern Districts 230/5 (Fraser Kilgour 52, Ashywn Herwels 51*, B.J Barnett 3/32) by 5 wickets
Final Placings
Auckland 1st
Canterbury 2nd
Otago 3rd
Wellington 4th
Northern Districts 5th
Central Districts 6th
Auckland is the winner of the 2008/09 National Under-19 cricket tournament after beating Canterbury by five wickets.
Auckland won the toss in today's final on the Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln and put Canterbury in to bat. After losing Tom Latham early, Bill Walsh and Des Kruger got Canterbury back on track with 41 for the second wicket. The fifth wicket partnership between Liam Bartholomeusz and Logan Van Beek then gave the innings real impetus with Van Beek hitting an aggressive 64 off 73 balls including two fours and two sixes – as well as some excellent running between the wickets. After Van Beek was dismissed the innings folded quickly and Canterbury was all out in 45.3 overs for 209.
In reply Michael Barry was out early in Auckland’s innings, but Kirk Bunting and Jimmy Neesham put on 103 for the second wicket. Bunting made 62 off 89 balls and Neesham an attacking 69 off 48 balls including 11 fours and a six. Tony Manning was not out on 34 when Auckland reached the target in 45.4 overs. Matt Farrant and Logan Van Beek both took two wickets each but in the end it was a well-paced victory for Auckland.
• Canterbury 209 (Liam Bartholomeusz 38, Logan Van Beek 64, Jimmy Neesham 3/39) lost to Auckland 211/5 (Kirk Bunting 62, Jimmy Neesham 69, Tony Manning 34*) by 5 wickets
The play off for third and fourth between Wellington and Otago, on Lincoln No. 3, was the closest match of the day. Batting first, Otago put on 23 for the first wicket but was unable to put together any sizeable partnerships until Nick Beard and Jesse Simpson put on 69 for the fifth wicket. Simpson top scored with 70 off 92 balls and Beard chipped in with 32, helping Otago to 231. For Wellington Thomas Pere took 4/44 off his 10 overs.
Chasing 232, Wellington lost an early wicket before Michael Pollard with 48 and Vinnie Ward with 22 put on 47 for the second wicket. They lost wickets regularly until Harry Wright and Chamika Gajanayaki combined to add 81 for the sixth wicket, Gajanayaki scoring 64 off 91 balls. Wellington fell short, finishing all out for 224 in 48.4 overs to give Otago a win by 7 runs.
• Otago 231/9 (Jesse Simpson 70, Thomas Pere 4/44) beat Wellington 224 (Michael Pollard 48, Chamika Gajanayaki 64, James Fuller 3/61, Nick Beard 3/11) by 7 runs
Central Districts and Northern Districts played for fifth and sixth places, Central winning the toss on Lincoln Green and choosing to bat. They were in trouble at 2/4 but Andy Dodd continued his fine tournament form with 68 off 104 balls, putting on 122 for the third wicket with Ben Smith who made 64 off 108 balls. Bronson Meehan and Ethan Bolstad chipped in with 33 and 26 runs respectively and at the end of 50 overs CD had made 229/6.
Northern seemed to have saved their best batting until the last game and a series of solid partnerships took them to victory in 49 overs with five wickets in hand. Ashwyn Kilgour top scored with 52 not out from 64 balls and he put on an unbeaten 47 with Anurag Verwag for the sixth wicket, seeing the side home. Vermag finished on 26 not out off 26 balls.
• Central Districts 229/6 (Ben Smith 64, Andy Dodd 68, Anurag Verma 3/48) lost to Northern Districts 230/5 (Fraser Kilgour 52, Ashywn Herwels 51*, B.J Barnett 3/32) by 5 wickets
Final Placings
Auckland 1st
Canterbury 2nd
Otago 3rd
Wellington 4th
Northern Districts 5th
Central Districts 6th
Sailing : Day 62 onboard Roxy in the Vendée Globe
Sam Davies’ daily log - Countdown to Cape Horn
“Hello everyone,
I am counting down the miles to Cape Horn now!
I have had a ‘calm’ morning - less than 20 knots of wind. Sometimes it is harder work when there's less wind. As the wind dropped off this morning, and after gybing to get a better sea state, I had the usual wrestle with Genevive (my big gennaker) to get her out of her bag and up into use.
So I have had another lovely afternoons sailing, gliding down the huge Pacific swell. It really is amazing how so much of the front of Roxy flies clear of each wave as we take off on each surf! I tried to take a picture to show you. When Roxy is on a big surf like that, the bow wave comes out from the keel area (as the bow is clear of the water) and there is a big fountain of spay shooting out from the beam instead of the bow.
The wind increased and a few 30-knot squalls have passed over Roxy. I managed to get Genevive rolled back up and this time she folded obligingly into her bag, and I stacked her to windward.
In the last couple of hours I have had a big 45-knot squall, which was pretty impressive. It was twilight, with the huge full moon, and I could see it coming, so I was on deck, having taken the second reef, wondering if I should roll away the solent... it was a bit late! But in the end the 45 knots didn't last too long, so Roxy stayed under control, but I think I got a speeding ticket for that one.
The wind will build and stay squally and unstable for my run to Cape Horn, so the sailing is probably not going to be quite so ideal from now on, but there's not long to go now.
Sam x”
At 1500 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 4th position, 1,818 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia
“Hello everyone,
I am counting down the miles to Cape Horn now!
I have had a ‘calm’ morning - less than 20 knots of wind. Sometimes it is harder work when there's less wind. As the wind dropped off this morning, and after gybing to get a better sea state, I had the usual wrestle with Genevive (my big gennaker) to get her out of her bag and up into use.
So I have had another lovely afternoons sailing, gliding down the huge Pacific swell. It really is amazing how so much of the front of Roxy flies clear of each wave as we take off on each surf! I tried to take a picture to show you. When Roxy is on a big surf like that, the bow wave comes out from the keel area (as the bow is clear of the water) and there is a big fountain of spay shooting out from the beam instead of the bow.
The wind increased and a few 30-knot squalls have passed over Roxy. I managed to get Genevive rolled back up and this time she folded obligingly into her bag, and I stacked her to windward.
In the last couple of hours I have had a big 45-knot squall, which was pretty impressive. It was twilight, with the huge full moon, and I could see it coming, so I was on deck, having taken the second reef, wondering if I should roll away the solent... it was a bit late! But in the end the 45 knots didn't last too long, so Roxy stayed under control, but I think I got a speeding ticket for that one.
The wind will build and stay squally and unstable for my run to Cape Horn, so the sailing is probably not going to be quite so ideal from now on, but there's not long to go now.
Sam x”
At 1500 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 4th position, 1,818 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia
Sailing : ICAP LEOPARD STARTS 2009 Heineken CAPE TO Bahia race
10th January 2009
Today, at 1400 local time, ICAP Leopard, the British 100ft supermaxi crossed the start line of the 2009 Heineken Cape to Bahia Race in Cape Town, South Africa. Having negotiated a great start in a 25-30 knot south easterly breeze, ICAP Leopard was quick to lead the IRC racing fleet out of Table Bay. As the largest boat in the fleet ICAP Leopard will be looking to set record pace on this brand new course.
Speaking from the boat shortly after the start, owner Mike Slade commented: “What a fantastic place to start an offshore race. It is sad to be leaving Cape Town as it is a wonderful city, but we had a terrific send off and are looking forward to a thrilling race. Next stop Salvador!”
Having successfully negotiated the short inland course, the fleet has begun its journey west into the South Atlantic. Close behind ICAP Leopard, is 90ft US maxi Rambler, owned by George David. The rivalry between the two yachts goes back to the 2008 Rolex Fastnet Race, where ICAP Leopard took line honours, only to be pipped on handicap by Rambler. With both yachts having the potential to complete the race in under 11 days, you can count on a close fought battle between the two.
Following the Heineken Cape to Bahia Race, ICAP Leopard will compete in the RORC Caribbean 600 and Antigua Sailing Week, before heading to North America for a number of corporate events. She will then return to the UK for the summer racing season and her corporate charter commitments.
New Poll : What would you do to sportsmen to flaunt the rules (drinking, fighting etc)?
The recent sagas with the likes of All Blacks and Chiefs loose forward, Sione Lauaki, who appeared in court charged with trashing property at an Auckland motel in the early hours of New Year's Day; and of course Jesse Ryder, who has once again been dropped from the Black Caps after yet another early morning drinking session.
Sione is reportedly the 11th All Black to appear in a criminal court in the last 5 years.
Let us know what you think about top level sportsmen (and women) who flaunt the rules with drunken debauchery, sexual scandals, public brawls etc.
Take our poll (at top left), but post your comments here, too!
Sailing : ERICSSON 4 WINS UBS CHALLENGE FOR THE IN-PORT RACE IN THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE SINGAPORE
Ericsson 4 won the UBS Challenge for the In-Port Race in the Volvo Ocean Race in Singapore today after finishing second in race one and winning race two. The result earned the team the four maximum points on offer which extends their total to 39 points.
The second in the series of seven in-port races, the results of which count towards the overall result of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 started at 0525 GMT, 1325 local time in a gusty 10 – 15 knot breeze. Both sides of the race course were lined with spectator boats for the first ever southeast Asia in-port race.
Two races were held and the results are combined to give an overall winner for the day. PUMA (Ken Read/USA) dominated the first race in an impressive display of solid sailing and race tactics, leading the fleet from start to finish and holding Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA) at bay. Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED) and Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR) showed good form and fought throughout the short windward/leeward course for third place, the finishing order only being decided on the final run when Telefónica Blue edged ahead.
Ericsson 3, skippered by Magnus Olsson/SWE, who has stepped up to take charge of the boat while regular skipper Anders Lewander/SWE recovers from knee surgery, finished fifth.
Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) was OCS (on course side) at the start gun and had to return to start properly, but made a good recovery to finish in sixth place.
Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) with new navigator, Guillermo Altadill/ESP replacing Matt Gregory/USA, finished in seventh after a promising start, but sail-handling difficulties meant they were never really in contention.
In race two, the first four finishers in the first race opted for the right hand side of the course, while the bottom three headed for the shore immediately after the start. The offshore side of the track clearly had more pressure as Ericsson 4 and Telefónica Blue led the fleet to the windward mark. Green Dragon came in to the mark on port and tacked just inside PUMA to round fourth, with Telefónica Black approaching quickly from the left hand side of the course.
As the fleet split again, PUMA opted for the right hand side with good pressure, while Ericsson 4 and Green Dragon went left. The last run was anything but a procession.
PUMA came smoking through the fleet, to rejoin the top four. Telefónica Blue attacked from the right hand side of the course. But, at the conclusion, Ericsson 4 fought to hold off Telefónica Black, and finished the race in pole position. Telefónica Black was second, and third was Telefónica Blue in a photo finish. PUMA finished ahead of Green Dragon in fourth, Ericsson 3 was sixth, and Delta Lloyd, still struggling due to lack of practise on the water due to work being carried out on her keel, was seventh.
Overall, the day belonged to Ericsson 4 who won the UBS Challenge for the In-Port Race in the Volvo Ocean Race in Singapore, with a second in race one and a win in race two, extending her lead overall and bringing her tally to 39 points. PUMA took 3.5 points for a win in race one and a fourth place in race two, for a total of 31 points. Third was Telefónica Blue, who scored three points for two third places (33.5 total).
Telefónica Black was fourth and earned 2.5 points for a sixth and a second (22 points total). Green Dragon was fifth and added two points for a fourth and a fifth (22.5 points total). Ericsson 3 claimed 1.5 points for a fifth and a sixth (24 points total), and, finally, Delta Lloyd scored one point for two seventh places (10 points total).
The next race in the in-port series will be held in Qingdao, China on 7 February after the finish of leg four (2,500 nautical miles), which starts next Sunday, 18 January.
UBS Challenge for the In-Port Race in the Volvo Ocean Race Singapore
1. Ericsson 4: (4 points)
2. PUMA: (3.5 points)
3. Telefónica Blue: (3 points)
4. Telefónica Black: (2.5 points)
5. Green Dragon: (2 points)
6. Ericsson 3: (1.5 points)
7. Delta Lloyd: (1 point)
Overall Leaderboard
1. Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA): 39 points
2.Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED): 33.5 points
3. PUMA (Ken Read/USA): 31 points
4. Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson/SWE): 24 points
5. Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR): 22.5 points
6. Telefónica Black (Fernando Echavarri/ESP): 22 points
7. Team Russia (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT): 10.5 points
8. Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermudez/ESP): 10 points
The second in the series of seven in-port races, the results of which count towards the overall result of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 started at 0525 GMT, 1325 local time in a gusty 10 – 15 knot breeze. Both sides of the race course were lined with spectator boats for the first ever southeast Asia in-port race.
Two races were held and the results are combined to give an overall winner for the day. PUMA (Ken Read/USA) dominated the first race in an impressive display of solid sailing and race tactics, leading the fleet from start to finish and holding Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA) at bay. Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED) and Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR) showed good form and fought throughout the short windward/leeward course for third place, the finishing order only being decided on the final run when Telefónica Blue edged ahead.
Ericsson 3, skippered by Magnus Olsson/SWE, who has stepped up to take charge of the boat while regular skipper Anders Lewander/SWE recovers from knee surgery, finished fifth.
Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) was OCS (on course side) at the start gun and had to return to start properly, but made a good recovery to finish in sixth place.
Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) with new navigator, Guillermo Altadill/ESP replacing Matt Gregory/USA, finished in seventh after a promising start, but sail-handling difficulties meant they were never really in contention.
In race two, the first four finishers in the first race opted for the right hand side of the course, while the bottom three headed for the shore immediately after the start. The offshore side of the track clearly had more pressure as Ericsson 4 and Telefónica Blue led the fleet to the windward mark. Green Dragon came in to the mark on port and tacked just inside PUMA to round fourth, with Telefónica Black approaching quickly from the left hand side of the course.
As the fleet split again, PUMA opted for the right hand side with good pressure, while Ericsson 4 and Green Dragon went left. The last run was anything but a procession.
PUMA came smoking through the fleet, to rejoin the top four. Telefónica Blue attacked from the right hand side of the course. But, at the conclusion, Ericsson 4 fought to hold off Telefónica Black, and finished the race in pole position. Telefónica Black was second, and third was Telefónica Blue in a photo finish. PUMA finished ahead of Green Dragon in fourth, Ericsson 3 was sixth, and Delta Lloyd, still struggling due to lack of practise on the water due to work being carried out on her keel, was seventh.
Overall, the day belonged to Ericsson 4 who won the UBS Challenge for the In-Port Race in the Volvo Ocean Race in Singapore, with a second in race one and a win in race two, extending her lead overall and bringing her tally to 39 points. PUMA took 3.5 points for a win in race one and a fourth place in race two, for a total of 31 points. Third was Telefónica Blue, who scored three points for two third places (33.5 total).
Telefónica Black was fourth and earned 2.5 points for a sixth and a second (22 points total). Green Dragon was fifth and added two points for a fourth and a fifth (22.5 points total). Ericsson 3 claimed 1.5 points for a fifth and a sixth (24 points total), and, finally, Delta Lloyd scored one point for two seventh places (10 points total).
The next race in the in-port series will be held in Qingdao, China on 7 February after the finish of leg four (2,500 nautical miles), which starts next Sunday, 18 January.
UBS Challenge for the In-Port Race in the Volvo Ocean Race Singapore
1. Ericsson 4: (4 points)
2. PUMA: (3.5 points)
3. Telefónica Blue: (3 points)
4. Telefónica Black: (2.5 points)
5. Green Dragon: (2 points)
6. Ericsson 3: (1.5 points)
7. Delta Lloyd: (1 point)
Overall Leaderboard
1. Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA): 39 points
2.Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED): 33.5 points
3. PUMA (Ken Read/USA): 31 points
4. Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson/SWE): 24 points
5. Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR): 22.5 points
6. Telefónica Black (Fernando Echavarri/ESP): 22 points
7. Team Russia (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT): 10.5 points
8. Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermudez/ESP): 10 points
Tennis : ASB Classic finals summary
Russian, Elena Dementieva showed her class to win her 12th career singles title defeating unseeded fellow-Russian Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-1 to win the ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland.
The first set was a close fought affair with both players engaged in long rallies which had the large crowd enthralled. However the Olympic champion and world No4 was too strong for Vesnina who tended to be erratic when she needed to be consistent and remain calm.
Dementieva, 27, was the highest-ranked player in the tournament’s history and didn't drop a set all week on her way to becoming the first Russian to win the event.
Twenty-two year-old Vesnina, was playing in her first final and showed plenty of determination but the world No 76 struggled with her serving and couldn't take full toll of the chances which came here way.
The first-serve percentage for Vesnina was a lowly 39 percent and she converted just two of the 11 break points she carved out. She wasn't afraid of going for her shots and had a great opportunity to move to a significant lead in the opening set when she was 3-1 and 0-40 up on her opponent's serve.
But Dementieva produced some trademark hard-hit and deep groundstrokes to pull herself from the brink and back into the match.
In the very next game, Vesnina squandered a 40-0 lead to have serve broken and the momentum of the contest began to flow against her.
Vesnina, had had played a number of long three-setters in the previous two rounds, admitted she was "a bit upset" about the result and the vital games which didn’t go her way.
She had no explanation for her poor serving, joking that she was complaining about everything when out on court despite the good conditions for tennis.
"No wind, no sun, perfect weather and I couldn't put the ball in," she said.
"Maybe I was bit tired. It was long week for me, a lot of long matches. Maybe I was a bit nervous today."
However, she was happy with how far she had progressed in the event, saying: "I think I grew up in this tournament.".
The triumph was a boost for Dementieva, who will be seeking her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this month, having been a finalist at the French and United States opens in 2004.
"I feel I've improved a lot since my first day here," she said.
"I played some good tennis, especially in the semifinal and final. It's been a great beginning of the year."
In the doubles final two-time Grand Slam winner, Nathalie Dechy of France and Italy’s Mara Santangelo(Italy) won a nerve-wracking final in three tight sets over the Spanish pairing of Nuria Llagostera Vives and Arantxa Parra Santonja 4-6 7-6(3) 12-10.
It was the fifth career doubles title for Dechy and the seventh for Santangelo.
The first set was a close fought affair with both players engaged in long rallies which had the large crowd enthralled. However the Olympic champion and world No4 was too strong for Vesnina who tended to be erratic when she needed to be consistent and remain calm.
Dementieva, 27, was the highest-ranked player in the tournament’s history and didn't drop a set all week on her way to becoming the first Russian to win the event.
Twenty-two year-old Vesnina, was playing in her first final and showed plenty of determination but the world No 76 struggled with her serving and couldn't take full toll of the chances which came here way.
The first-serve percentage for Vesnina was a lowly 39 percent and she converted just two of the 11 break points she carved out. She wasn't afraid of going for her shots and had a great opportunity to move to a significant lead in the opening set when she was 3-1 and 0-40 up on her opponent's serve.
But Dementieva produced some trademark hard-hit and deep groundstrokes to pull herself from the brink and back into the match.
In the very next game, Vesnina squandered a 40-0 lead to have serve broken and the momentum of the contest began to flow against her.
Vesnina, had had played a number of long three-setters in the previous two rounds, admitted she was "a bit upset" about the result and the vital games which didn’t go her way.
She had no explanation for her poor serving, joking that she was complaining about everything when out on court despite the good conditions for tennis.
"No wind, no sun, perfect weather and I couldn't put the ball in," she said.
"Maybe I was bit tired. It was long week for me, a lot of long matches. Maybe I was a bit nervous today."
However, she was happy with how far she had progressed in the event, saying: "I think I grew up in this tournament.".
The triumph was a boost for Dementieva, who will be seeking her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this month, having been a finalist at the French and United States opens in 2004.
"I feel I've improved a lot since my first day here," she said.
"I played some good tennis, especially in the semifinal and final. It's been a great beginning of the year."
In the doubles final two-time Grand Slam winner, Nathalie Dechy of France and Italy’s Mara Santangelo(Italy) won a nerve-wracking final in three tight sets over the Spanish pairing of Nuria Llagostera Vives and Arantxa Parra Santonja 4-6 7-6(3) 12-10.
It was the fifth career doubles title for Dechy and the seventh for Santangelo.
Tennis : NATIONAL HARDCOURTS 14U - AUCKLAND
Top seed Cameron Norrie (AK) was bundled out of the National 14s in the quarterfinals in a thrilling match with Nick Brown (Waikato/Bays) at Scarbro Tennis Centre, Auckland. Norrie claimed the first set in a tiebreaker but then Brown used his left handed shotmaking to take the next two sets and the match. Brown is joined in the semifinals by fellow Waikato/Bays player Andrew van der Vyver who beat Southern's Harry James (pictured) in two tight sets. Sixth seed Joe Bray made sure Canterbury would be represented in the semifinals beating Alex Klintcharov convincingly while Lochie Kitchen from Whangarei played two marathon three set matches to set up a semifinal with van der Vyver.
Two of the girls quarterfinals ended in retirements after injuries to players who were leading in their matches. Yoanna Pechev was leading 75 02 when an arm injury forced her out of her match with fourth seed Deanna Haami. In a similar situation second seed Olivia Isbey was in complete control against Canterbury's Jessica Ottowa when a wrist injury forced her to conced the match. Top seed Monica Chen cruised through against Carli Davis and Danielle Feneridis, seeded five had an easy win over unseeded Cantabrian Beth Williamson.
Reults:
Girls singles
(1) M Chen bt (6) C Davis 61 61
(4) D Haami bt (7) Y Pechev 57 20 ret inj
(5) D Feneridis bt B Williamson 62 62
(11) J Ottowa bt (2) O Isbey 06 31 ret inj
Boys singles
(9) N Brown bt (1) C Norrie 67 62 75
(6) J Bray bt (14) A Klintcharov 61 75
(4) L Kitchen bt (8) D Sgubin 62 26 62
(2) A van der Vyver bt H James 76 64
Two of the girls quarterfinals ended in retirements after injuries to players who were leading in their matches. Yoanna Pechev was leading 75 02 when an arm injury forced her out of her match with fourth seed Deanna Haami. In a similar situation second seed Olivia Isbey was in complete control against Canterbury's Jessica Ottowa when a wrist injury forced her to conced the match. Top seed Monica Chen cruised through against Carli Davis and Danielle Feneridis, seeded five had an easy win over unseeded Cantabrian Beth Williamson.
Reults:
Girls singles
(1) M Chen bt (6) C Davis 61 61
(4) D Haami bt (7) Y Pechev 57 20 ret inj
(5) D Feneridis bt B Williamson 62 62
(11) J Ottowa bt (2) O Isbey 06 31 ret inj
Boys singles
(9) N Brown bt (1) C Norrie 67 62 75
(6) J Bray bt (14) A Klintcharov 61 75
(4) L Kitchen bt (8) D Sgubin 62 26 62
(2) A van der Vyver bt H James 76 64
Tennis : WELLINGTON OPEN NZMT 5 KICKS OFF TODAY
10.1.01
An early start was well justified as the rain interrupted play after the completion of the first round this morning. Play moved indoors briefly for the men’s Quarter Finals, but all other matches were able to be completed outdoors.
In the Round of 16, Warwick Foy (Wgtn), was able to rally after dropping the opening set to eighth seeded Gavin Chester (NH), and caused the only upset in that round. The Men’s Quarter finals saw Men’s top seed, Victor Romero (Mex), improve after a slow start and hold off a spirited fight from fifth seed Michael Pigou (LH). Mark Nielsen (NH) and Steven Downs (NH), ex NZ Davis Cup Team mates, will renew their rivalry in tomorrows Semi Final after they eased past their opponents, Hayden Joblin (Wgtn) and Warwick Foy (Wgtn) respectively.
In the Women’s matches, Brittany Teei (Auck) and Diane Hollands (Auck) recorded straight forward wins in their Quarter finals, but their Semi Finals were anything but straight forward. Brittany Teei (Auck) played Kairangi Vano (Auck) and was unable to topple the tournament top seed, losing in two tight sets. Diane Hollands (Auck) was able to continue her fantastic summer form by beating the second seeded Shona Lee (Auck) clinching the match in a tight second set tie-break 8-6.
Play on Finals Day will start at 9.00am. Semi Finals of the Men’s Singles will be at 10.00am, with the Women’s Final Scheduled for 12.00pm and the Men’s Final for 2.00pm. Entry is free for the public and the Café will be open for food and drinks.
Results
Men's Open Singles -- Round of 16
Michael Pigou[5], Lower Hutt, WE d. Simon Brown, WN 5-0 Ret (inj)
Nick White[6], WN d. Alexander Macdonald, Lower Hutt, WE 6-1;6-0
Warwick Foy, Wellington, WE d. Gavin Chester[8], NH 4-6;6-1;6-1
Hayden Joblin[7], Wellington, CB d. Seungwon Seo, Auckland, AU 6-1;6-0
Men's Open Singles -- Quarterfinals
Victor Romero[1], Mexico d. Michael Pigou[5], Lower Hutt, WE 4-6;6-1;6-4
Steven Downs[4], NH d. Warwick Foy, Wellington, WE 6-0;6-2
Mark Nielsen[2], NH d. Hayden Joblin[7], Wellington, CB 6-3;6-4
Women's Open Singles -- Quarterfinals
Brittany Teei[4], AK d. Rosie Bird, Hamilton, WAK 6-4;2-6;6-2
Dianne Hollands[3], Auckland, AU d. Tiffany Wheelock, Auckland, AU 6-2;6-0
Women's Open Singles -- Semi-finals
Kairangi Vano[1], AK d. Brittany Teei[4], AK 7-6(5);7-5
Dianne Hollands[3], Auckland, AU d. Shona Lee[2], Papakura, AU 6-2;7-6(8)
An early start was well justified as the rain interrupted play after the completion of the first round this morning. Play moved indoors briefly for the men’s Quarter Finals, but all other matches were able to be completed outdoors.
In the Round of 16, Warwick Foy (Wgtn), was able to rally after dropping the opening set to eighth seeded Gavin Chester (NH), and caused the only upset in that round. The Men’s Quarter finals saw Men’s top seed, Victor Romero (Mex), improve after a slow start and hold off a spirited fight from fifth seed Michael Pigou (LH). Mark Nielsen (NH) and Steven Downs (NH), ex NZ Davis Cup Team mates, will renew their rivalry in tomorrows Semi Final after they eased past their opponents, Hayden Joblin (Wgtn) and Warwick Foy (Wgtn) respectively.
In the Women’s matches, Brittany Teei (Auck) and Diane Hollands (Auck) recorded straight forward wins in their Quarter finals, but their Semi Finals were anything but straight forward. Brittany Teei (Auck) played Kairangi Vano (Auck) and was unable to topple the tournament top seed, losing in two tight sets. Diane Hollands (Auck) was able to continue her fantastic summer form by beating the second seeded Shona Lee (Auck) clinching the match in a tight second set tie-break 8-6.
Play on Finals Day will start at 9.00am. Semi Finals of the Men’s Singles will be at 10.00am, with the Women’s Final Scheduled for 12.00pm and the Men’s Final for 2.00pm. Entry is free for the public and the Café will be open for food and drinks.
Results
Men's Open Singles -- Round of 16
Michael Pigou[5], Lower Hutt, WE d. Simon Brown, WN 5-0 Ret (inj)
Nick White[6], WN d. Alexander Macdonald, Lower Hutt, WE 6-1;6-0
Warwick Foy, Wellington, WE d. Gavin Chester[8], NH 4-6;6-1;6-1
Hayden Joblin[7], Wellington, CB d. Seungwon Seo, Auckland, AU 6-1;6-0
Men's Open Singles -- Quarterfinals
Victor Romero[1], Mexico d. Michael Pigou[5], Lower Hutt, WE 4-6;6-1;6-4
Steven Downs[4], NH d. Warwick Foy, Wellington, WE 6-0;6-2
Mark Nielsen[2], NH d. Hayden Joblin[7], Wellington, CB 6-3;6-4
Women's Open Singles -- Quarterfinals
Brittany Teei[4], AK d. Rosie Bird, Hamilton, WAK 6-4;2-6;6-2
Dianne Hollands[3], Auckland, AU d. Tiffany Wheelock, Auckland, AU 6-2;6-0
Women's Open Singles -- Semi-finals
Kairangi Vano[1], AK d. Brittany Teei[4], AK 7-6(5);7-5
Dianne Hollands[3], Auckland, AU d. Shona Lee[2], Papakura, AU 6-2;7-6(8)
ricket : Last-ball finish sets up Auckland v Canterbury U-19 final
NZ Cricket National Under-19 Tournament: Round 6
Last-ball finish sets up Auckland v Canterbury final in National Under-19 tournament
In a dramatic last-ball finish, Auckland today defeated Canterbury to win the right to face their southern rivals again tomorrow in the National Under-19 final at Lincoln.
With Canterbury already a guaranteed finalist, interest today was on who would join them. Auckland, Wellington and Central Districts were all in the frame and there were a number of scenarios that were possible as the day unfolded – but if Auckland was to beat Canterbury nothing else would matter.
Wellington comprehensively beat Northern Districts to earn a bonus point, putting Central Districts out of contention for a finals spot. Then in the last match of the day to finish, Auckland beat Canterbury with a ball to spare – setting up a Canterbury v Auckland final.
Results summary
Canterbury v Auckland
Canterbury won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Tom Latham and Bill Walsh put on 77 for the first wicket, and Walsh top scored with 80 off 133 balls. After useful contributions from Matt Laffey with 26 and Logan Van Beek with 29, at the end of 50 overs Canterbury had scored 241/7. Alex MacDuff and James Coughlan each took two wickets for Auckland.
In reply Auckland started cautiously but with the run rate climbing it was the last power play – taken between overs 41 and 46 – that did the damage with Auckland moving from 161/5 to 223/5. They scored 81 in the last 10 overs and with five singles in the last over they sealed a dramatic win and a place in the final. Tony Manning was unbeaten on 99 off 130 balls and Jonathon Bassett-Graham hit a whirlwind 38 off 20 balls. Matt Farrant and Matt McEwan each took three wickets.
• Canterbury 241/7 (Tom Latham 33, Bill Walsh 80) lost to Auckland 242/7 (Tony Manning 99*, Jonathon Basset-Graham 38, Matt Farrant 3/45, Matt McEwan 3/49) by 3 wickets
Wellington v Northern Districts
On the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Northern Districts won the toss and fielded. Wellington was in trouble at 16/2 before the middle order rallied, led by Tom Blundell with 37 off 82 balls and Chamika Gajanayaki who made 42 not out off 94 balls. They weren’t able to press on, however, and at the end of 50 overs were 181/8. For ND Anurag Verma took 2/47. Northern started positively and after two overs were 17 without loss before disaster struck and at 29/6 it was effectively game over. They lost wickets regularly and only Josh Matthews with 33 off 73 balls offered any resistance in the total of 78. For Wellington, pace bowler Ili Tugaga took 4/14 off 7 overs and Kyle Hitchman and Harsh Tataria each took two wickets.
• Wellington 181/8 Tom Blundell 37, Chamika Gajanayaki 42*) beat Northern Districts 78 (Josh Matthews 33*, Ili Tugaga 4/14) by 103 runs
Central Districts v Otago
On Lincoln Green, Otago won the toss and fielded. Central Districts scored 225/9 – the backbone of the innings coming from Andy Dodd with 69 off 93 balls and Bronson Meehan with 51 not out from 73 balls. Brad Soper, Mark Souter, James Filler and Nick Beard all took two wickets each for Otago. In reply Otgao reached 228 in 46.3 overs. George Spittle scored 100 not out off 199 balls including 10 fours, and he put on 121 with Geordie Scott for the second wicket. Scott scored 61 off 80 balls, and Michael Bracewell chipped in with 38 off 49 balls
• Central Districts 225/9 (Andy Dodd 69, Bronson Meehan 51*) lost to Otago 228/3 (Geordie Scott 61, George Spittle 100*, Michael Bracewell 38) by 7 wickets
Points at the end of Round 6
1st Canterbury 25
2nd Auckland 21
3rd Wellington 19
4th Otago 12
5th Central Districts 12
6th Northern Districts 0
Finals day tomorrow:
1 v 2 Canterbury v Auckland (Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln)
3 v 4 Wellington v Otago (Lincoln No.3)
5 v 6 Central Districts v Northern Districts (Lincoln Green)
Otago qualified ahead of CD – they both had two wins (combined outright and one day wins; first innings lead doesn’t count as a win) but as Otago beat CD in their clash they finish higher.
Last-ball finish sets up Auckland v Canterbury final in National Under-19 tournament
In a dramatic last-ball finish, Auckland today defeated Canterbury to win the right to face their southern rivals again tomorrow in the National Under-19 final at Lincoln.
With Canterbury already a guaranteed finalist, interest today was on who would join them. Auckland, Wellington and Central Districts were all in the frame and there were a number of scenarios that were possible as the day unfolded – but if Auckland was to beat Canterbury nothing else would matter.
Wellington comprehensively beat Northern Districts to earn a bonus point, putting Central Districts out of contention for a finals spot. Then in the last match of the day to finish, Auckland beat Canterbury with a ball to spare – setting up a Canterbury v Auckland final.
Results summary
Canterbury v Auckland
Canterbury won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Tom Latham and Bill Walsh put on 77 for the first wicket, and Walsh top scored with 80 off 133 balls. After useful contributions from Matt Laffey with 26 and Logan Van Beek with 29, at the end of 50 overs Canterbury had scored 241/7. Alex MacDuff and James Coughlan each took two wickets for Auckland.
In reply Auckland started cautiously but with the run rate climbing it was the last power play – taken between overs 41 and 46 – that did the damage with Auckland moving from 161/5 to 223/5. They scored 81 in the last 10 overs and with five singles in the last over they sealed a dramatic win and a place in the final. Tony Manning was unbeaten on 99 off 130 balls and Jonathon Bassett-Graham hit a whirlwind 38 off 20 balls. Matt Farrant and Matt McEwan each took three wickets.
• Canterbury 241/7 (Tom Latham 33, Bill Walsh 80) lost to Auckland 242/7 (Tony Manning 99*, Jonathon Basset-Graham 38, Matt Farrant 3/45, Matt McEwan 3/49) by 3 wickets
Wellington v Northern Districts
On the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Northern Districts won the toss and fielded. Wellington was in trouble at 16/2 before the middle order rallied, led by Tom Blundell with 37 off 82 balls and Chamika Gajanayaki who made 42 not out off 94 balls. They weren’t able to press on, however, and at the end of 50 overs were 181/8. For ND Anurag Verma took 2/47. Northern started positively and after two overs were 17 without loss before disaster struck and at 29/6 it was effectively game over. They lost wickets regularly and only Josh Matthews with 33 off 73 balls offered any resistance in the total of 78. For Wellington, pace bowler Ili Tugaga took 4/14 off 7 overs and Kyle Hitchman and Harsh Tataria each took two wickets.
• Wellington 181/8 Tom Blundell 37, Chamika Gajanayaki 42*) beat Northern Districts 78 (Josh Matthews 33*, Ili Tugaga 4/14) by 103 runs
Central Districts v Otago
On Lincoln Green, Otago won the toss and fielded. Central Districts scored 225/9 – the backbone of the innings coming from Andy Dodd with 69 off 93 balls and Bronson Meehan with 51 not out from 73 balls. Brad Soper, Mark Souter, James Filler and Nick Beard all took two wickets each for Otago. In reply Otgao reached 228 in 46.3 overs. George Spittle scored 100 not out off 199 balls including 10 fours, and he put on 121 with Geordie Scott for the second wicket. Scott scored 61 off 80 balls, and Michael Bracewell chipped in with 38 off 49 balls
• Central Districts 225/9 (Andy Dodd 69, Bronson Meehan 51*) lost to Otago 228/3 (Geordie Scott 61, George Spittle 100*, Michael Bracewell 38) by 7 wickets
Points at the end of Round 6
1st Canterbury 25
2nd Auckland 21
3rd Wellington 19
4th Otago 12
5th Central Districts 12
6th Northern Districts 0
Finals day tomorrow:
1 v 2 Canterbury v Auckland (Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln)
3 v 4 Wellington v Otago (Lincoln No.3)
5 v 6 Central Districts v Northern Districts (Lincoln Green)
Otago qualified ahead of CD – they both had two wins (combined outright and one day wins; first innings lead doesn’t count as a win) but as Otago beat CD in their clash they finish higher.
Motorsport : A1 Team Germany Delays Season Four Debut
A1 Team Germany will have to postpone its A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Season Four debut, and this means the team will now plan for being on track for the first time in A1GP Gauteng, South Africa on 20-22 February.
“A1 Team Germany has been affected by delays. All the necessary ingredients to get the team on track in Taupo did not come together, so there was no other option but to delay the team’s Season Four debut. On the positive side, we hope the car can cover some test miles so when the team arrives in South Africa it will be able to catch up rapidly,” said A1GP CEO, Pete da Silva. With A1 Team Germany being totally new – a new Team Principal, a new service provider and a new driver in Andre Lotterer – there was no way it or the series was going to jeopardise its entry into Season Four without better preparation.
This was not the outcome A1 Team Germany Team Principal, Rolf Beisswanger, wanted to his quest to get the Season Two Champion back on track, as he explained: “I cannot say I am anything other than deeply disappointed at the outcome. We have been working flat out since I took on the role to get a team together that our country would be proud of. However, we shall not be at the next two races so have to make sure when we do make our debut the car will be ready to win. This does give us more time to get the sponsors and partners in place and we have to view Season Four as the launch pad for a full out assault on the championship in Season Five. My major aim is to wrest back the title the team won in Season Two and for that we have to be totally prepared.”
“A1 Team Germany has been affected by delays. All the necessary ingredients to get the team on track in Taupo did not come together, so there was no other option but to delay the team’s Season Four debut. On the positive side, we hope the car can cover some test miles so when the team arrives in South Africa it will be able to catch up rapidly,” said A1GP CEO, Pete da Silva. With A1 Team Germany being totally new – a new Team Principal, a new service provider and a new driver in Andre Lotterer – there was no way it or the series was going to jeopardise its entry into Season Four without better preparation.
This was not the outcome A1 Team Germany Team Principal, Rolf Beisswanger, wanted to his quest to get the Season Two Champion back on track, as he explained: “I cannot say I am anything other than deeply disappointed at the outcome. We have been working flat out since I took on the role to get a team together that our country would be proud of. However, we shall not be at the next two races so have to make sure when we do make our debut the car will be ready to win. This does give us more time to get the sponsors and partners in place and we have to view Season Four as the launch pad for a full out assault on the championship in Season Five. My major aim is to wrest back the title the team won in Season Two and for that we have to be totally prepared.”
Cricket : Andrew Strauss to captain England in ODIs and T20 in Caribbean
The England selectors yesterday unanimously agreed that Andrew Strauss should lead the England team on the entire tour to the Caribbean starting on January 21.
National selector Geoff Miller confirmed after the selection meeting that Strauss, who has played in 78 One–Day Internationals, would be captain not only for the Tests in the Caribbean but also the Twenty20 international in Trinidad and the ODIs which follow.
Miller said: "The selectors feel that it is important to have stability and continuity on the Caribbean tour given the events of the last few days.
Andrew and I have also agreed that we will review the One Day captaincy at the end of the tour. Andrew is extremely comfortable with that."
Strauss, 31, added: "I am delighted to lead the team in the One Day Internationals and Twenty20. I know I haven’t played an ODI since the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 but I do feel that I have something to offer in that form of the game.
Now this situation has been resolved we can now all unite and get about the business of winning cricket matches for England and winning them consistently."
Andrew Strauss will be supported in the Caribbean by Andy Flower, England assistant coach, and Phil Neale, England team operations manager as well as England’s other specialist coaches and support staff.
Hugh Morris, the England Cricket Managing Director, added: "We have a backroom team with a proven track record. They will all work very closely with Andrew Strauss during this tour with the sole aim of securing success in the Test, ODI and T20 matches."
Click here for ECBTV's exclusive interview from yesterday's press conference with Andrew Strauss.
Sailing : Cape Horn Beckons for Roxy Skipper Sam Davies, After Two Months at Sea in the Vendée Globe
· One month to the finish for leading British skipper Sam Davies
· Dramatic month of sea rescues after tragic injury to Yann Elies and severe damage to Jean Le Cam’s boat
· Fifth placed Roxy expecting to round the notorious Cape Horn on Sunday 11th January
· Sam excited to be leaving Southern Ocean and heading into home waters of the Atlantic
· Just 13 boats remain in the race from an original Vendée Globe fleet of 30
Sam Davies and her bright pink boat Roxy have now passed through the third and final compulsory race Ice Gate, signalling their impending transition from the depths of the Southern Ocean to the home waters of the Atlantic. Roxy’s bow is now firmly pointed towards the major race milestone of Cape Horn and Sam is gearing up for her first experience of rounding the notorious Cape as a solo sailor.
A severe two months’ sailing has taken its toll on the Vendée Globe fleet, with only 45% of the boats that left Les Sables d’Olonne in October still in the race. The remainder of the fleet have been forced to abandon their Vendée challenge due to irreparable damages suffered in tempestuous seas. After the early retirement of Alex Thomson, the original British contingent of seven skippers was further diminished following the tragic dismasting of Mike Golding’s Ecover – who was leading the race at the time – and the terminal mainsail woes of Jonny Malbon aboard Artemis.
In December, Sam was involved in what became labelled a ‘Mercy Mission’ to help fellow Vendée skipper and friend, Yann Eliès, after he horrifically suffered a broken leg. The Roxy skipper was on hand to offer psychological and moral aid to the stricken French sailor during his two day wait for an Australian Naval vessel that was despatched to rescue him. All this was done while Sam was carrying a badly bruised elbow following a fall on deck, the intense pain of which caused her to pass out.
Less than a month later, Sam’s mettle was tested again as another French skipper, Jean Le Cam aboard VM Materiaux, became trapped in a pocket of air under his boat after losing the bulb of his keel and capsizing: “We had to wait hours and hours for the good news that Jean was safe. The worst part was knowing that King Jean was in trouble, but not having any further information. During those painful hours all kinds of things were going through my head; I imagined Jean upside down in VM Materiaux, alone in the freezing cold water in the black of night. I then imagined what it would be like if Roxy were to be capsized: not only the danger to myself and her structure, but also the mess it would cause. As you can imagine, I didn't sleep at all until I heard Jean was ok.” A heroic rescue by Vincent Riou (PRB) plucked Jean Le Cam from the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean, however it came at a cost as damage sustained to one of PRB’s deck spreaders precipitated another Vendée dismasting.
Despite a severe two months of hard graft, Sam is still relishing the everyday challenges, plus peaks and troughs of the Vendée Globe, nicknamed the ‘Sailor’s Everest’. Sam’s shrewd tactical decision making means she continues to post fastest race times over varied time periods, and as a consequence she is still in the running for a podium-placed finish. Personal milestones also continue to fall, including a first Christmas and New Year spent alone at sea: “I had a small bottle of champagne to help me see in the New Year, and a mini Christmas pudding with brandy butter! Then it will be back to normal, as the race doesn't stop for festivities and Roxy must keep up the blistering pace!”
What’s more, the quirky realities of life as a solo, off-shore sailor have provided much amusement. Sam’s race highlights include her experiences with the wondrous array of wildlife present in the Southern Ocean – including beautiful polar dolphins and majestic albatrosses – and tuning in to the eclectic mix of noises made by her Open 60 racing yacht, Roxy: “all of Roxy’s singing, vibrations, clicks and clacks create a really special kind of music that I am now totally in tune with. For me, it is a lullaby and a sign from Roxy that everything is normal and she's happy. I can sense any change immediately; it is better than any alarm clock, as I know I will wake up if I'm needed, and if all is OK then my boat lets me sleep!”
Sam is currently on course to become only the second ever British female – the other being Dame Ellen MacArthur – to finish the Vendée Globe, consolidating her status as leading British sailor today. Despite having become a media sensation during the race, Sam’s humility continues to shine through. It runs in complete harmony with a dogmatic determination to never take her foot off the pedal, even after two months of racing and still with 7,000 miles to go until the finish. Although currently in fifth place, Sam will be pushing hard in the home waters of the Atlantic to reduce the deficit between Roxy and race leader Foncia, skippered by Michel Desjoyeaux. The gap of 1000 miles between Roxy and nearest British rival, Brian Thompson aboard Bahrain Team Pindar, will also not be relinquished without a fight as Sam heads for home.
· Dramatic month of sea rescues after tragic injury to Yann Elies and severe damage to Jean Le Cam’s boat
· Fifth placed Roxy expecting to round the notorious Cape Horn on Sunday 11th January
· Sam excited to be leaving Southern Ocean and heading into home waters of the Atlantic
· Just 13 boats remain in the race from an original Vendée Globe fleet of 30
Sam Davies and her bright pink boat Roxy have now passed through the third and final compulsory race Ice Gate, signalling their impending transition from the depths of the Southern Ocean to the home waters of the Atlantic. Roxy’s bow is now firmly pointed towards the major race milestone of Cape Horn and Sam is gearing up for her first experience of rounding the notorious Cape as a solo sailor.
A severe two months’ sailing has taken its toll on the Vendée Globe fleet, with only 45% of the boats that left Les Sables d’Olonne in October still in the race. The remainder of the fleet have been forced to abandon their Vendée challenge due to irreparable damages suffered in tempestuous seas. After the early retirement of Alex Thomson, the original British contingent of seven skippers was further diminished following the tragic dismasting of Mike Golding’s Ecover – who was leading the race at the time – and the terminal mainsail woes of Jonny Malbon aboard Artemis.
In December, Sam was involved in what became labelled a ‘Mercy Mission’ to help fellow Vendée skipper and friend, Yann Eliès, after he horrifically suffered a broken leg. The Roxy skipper was on hand to offer psychological and moral aid to the stricken French sailor during his two day wait for an Australian Naval vessel that was despatched to rescue him. All this was done while Sam was carrying a badly bruised elbow following a fall on deck, the intense pain of which caused her to pass out.
Less than a month later, Sam’s mettle was tested again as another French skipper, Jean Le Cam aboard VM Materiaux, became trapped in a pocket of air under his boat after losing the bulb of his keel and capsizing: “We had to wait hours and hours for the good news that Jean was safe. The worst part was knowing that King Jean was in trouble, but not having any further information. During those painful hours all kinds of things were going through my head; I imagined Jean upside down in VM Materiaux, alone in the freezing cold water in the black of night. I then imagined what it would be like if Roxy were to be capsized: not only the danger to myself and her structure, but also the mess it would cause. As you can imagine, I didn't sleep at all until I heard Jean was ok.” A heroic rescue by Vincent Riou (PRB) plucked Jean Le Cam from the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean, however it came at a cost as damage sustained to one of PRB’s deck spreaders precipitated another Vendée dismasting.
Despite a severe two months of hard graft, Sam is still relishing the everyday challenges, plus peaks and troughs of the Vendée Globe, nicknamed the ‘Sailor’s Everest’. Sam’s shrewd tactical decision making means she continues to post fastest race times over varied time periods, and as a consequence she is still in the running for a podium-placed finish. Personal milestones also continue to fall, including a first Christmas and New Year spent alone at sea: “I had a small bottle of champagne to help me see in the New Year, and a mini Christmas pudding with brandy butter! Then it will be back to normal, as the race doesn't stop for festivities and Roxy must keep up the blistering pace!”
What’s more, the quirky realities of life as a solo, off-shore sailor have provided much amusement. Sam’s race highlights include her experiences with the wondrous array of wildlife present in the Southern Ocean – including beautiful polar dolphins and majestic albatrosses – and tuning in to the eclectic mix of noises made by her Open 60 racing yacht, Roxy: “all of Roxy’s singing, vibrations, clicks and clacks create a really special kind of music that I am now totally in tune with. For me, it is a lullaby and a sign from Roxy that everything is normal and she's happy. I can sense any change immediately; it is better than any alarm clock, as I know I will wake up if I'm needed, and if all is OK then my boat lets me sleep!”
Sam is currently on course to become only the second ever British female – the other being Dame Ellen MacArthur – to finish the Vendée Globe, consolidating her status as leading British sailor today. Despite having become a media sensation during the race, Sam’s humility continues to shine through. It runs in complete harmony with a dogmatic determination to never take her foot off the pedal, even after two months of racing and still with 7,000 miles to go until the finish. Although currently in fifth place, Sam will be pushing hard in the home waters of the Atlantic to reduce the deficit between Roxy and race leader Foncia, skippered by Michel Desjoyeaux. The gap of 1000 miles between Roxy and nearest British rival, Brian Thompson aboard Bahrain Team Pindar, will also not be relinquished without a fight as Sam heads for home.
Sailing : Day 61 onboard Roxy in the Vendée Globe
Davies’ daily log - Am I going mad?
“Hello everyone!
I’ve passed the 60 day mark! That’s AMAZING - time goes so quickly! In one sense I can't believe that we have been out here for two months, but at the same time it seems so long ago that day we left the channel of Les Sables d'Olonne! So much has happened since!
Today I have been sleeping, as after my last two days of eating lots, my body has now developed a demand for lots of rest. I think it is trying to tell me something! Luckily the conditions have allowed me the time in my sleeping bag. I have had lots of 60-90 minute sleeps with a few manoeuvres in between, plus some tidying of Roxy, and obviously the important weather and strategy work. I'm trying to plan a route past Cape Horn that is safe and fast, staying away from the lee shore, the islands and the ice, and dodging a little secondary low that is going to pass over us.
This morning it was great weather yet again, with Roxy flying along effortlessly on some magnificent surfs, in the sunshine. These South Pacific waves are just amazing; Roxy and I are really going to miss this sailing now I have a taste for it! I am definitely making the most of these last two days to save up the memories to last until I come back.
Now, however, it is really grey and rainy as the next low approaches. I have to let you know, as the photos I am sending were sunny ones and I don't want everyone to think it’s like that all the time here: most of the time it is grey!
I am a bit worried as I am starting to talk to my Roxy boat. I never thought it would come to this, but today I found myself talking to her, telling her off for going too fast. Oh dear, is this the first sign of madness? Not the first, I hear you say!
It can't be too bad - I even heard that Bilou calls his boat his "baby"...
S x”
At 1100 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 5th position, 1,885 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia
“Hello everyone!
I’ve passed the 60 day mark! That’s AMAZING - time goes so quickly! In one sense I can't believe that we have been out here for two months, but at the same time it seems so long ago that day we left the channel of Les Sables d'Olonne! So much has happened since!
Today I have been sleeping, as after my last two days of eating lots, my body has now developed a demand for lots of rest. I think it is trying to tell me something! Luckily the conditions have allowed me the time in my sleeping bag. I have had lots of 60-90 minute sleeps with a few manoeuvres in between, plus some tidying of Roxy, and obviously the important weather and strategy work. I'm trying to plan a route past Cape Horn that is safe and fast, staying away from the lee shore, the islands and the ice, and dodging a little secondary low that is going to pass over us.
This morning it was great weather yet again, with Roxy flying along effortlessly on some magnificent surfs, in the sunshine. These South Pacific waves are just amazing; Roxy and I are really going to miss this sailing now I have a taste for it! I am definitely making the most of these last two days to save up the memories to last until I come back.
Now, however, it is really grey and rainy as the next low approaches. I have to let you know, as the photos I am sending were sunny ones and I don't want everyone to think it’s like that all the time here: most of the time it is grey!
I am a bit worried as I am starting to talk to my Roxy boat. I never thought it would come to this, but today I found myself talking to her, telling her off for going too fast. Oh dear, is this the first sign of madness? Not the first, I hear you say!
It can't be too bad - I even heard that Bilou calls his boat his "baby"...
S x”
At 1100 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 5th position, 1,885 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia
Tennis : Tough Qualifying At Heineken Open Tennis
The 2009 Heineken Open qualifying draw starting Saturday 10 January will be one of the toughest ever with 11 players ranked inside the top-100 in the world.
The top seed in qualifying is Germany’s Philipp Petzschner who is ranked at 66 and was the singles and doubles winner at Vienna last year. The eighth seed Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci at 87 who plays Wellington’s Finn Tearney who has a couple of ranking points and is ranked at over 1000.
Former top-10 player Nicolas Massu of Chile, the Athens gold medalist is the fifth seed at 76. In 2008 he won through qualifying to grab a place in the quarters of the main draw.
Another notable player in qualifying is Vince Spadea. The veteran has been ranked as high as 18 in the world and is coached by former Italian pro Davide Sanguinetti. Spadea will take on Mathieu Rodrigues(France). American John Isner who stands at 2.05m and has a big reputation to go with his height faces Switzerland’s Michael Lammer.
Of the four remaining Kiwis Adam Thompson faces India’s Rohan Bopanna who is ranked a 332, while GD Jones who qualified last year plays 186th ranked Spaniard Miguel Angel Lopez Jaen.
Wairarapa’s Marcus Daniell plays 88th ranked Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain and Oliver Statham has the difficult task of taking on Argentine Diego Junqueira who sits at 77 in the world.
Qualifying starts at 10am at the North Harbour Tennis Park in Albany. A player needs to win three matches in qualifying to make the main draw.
Meanwhile Kiwi No2 Dan King-Turner has gained a late main draw singles wildcard after Japan’s Kei Nishikori did not require a wildcard as he moved into the draw as a result of the two special exempt places not being taken up. The second special exempt position goes to Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu ranked at 63.
New Zealand No1 Rubin Statham was earlier awarded a wildcard as was two-time former Heineken Open winner Dominik Hrbaty.
Singles main draw commences on Monday 12 January at the ASB Tennis Centre with the final Saturday 17 January.
The top seed in qualifying is Germany’s Philipp Petzschner who is ranked at 66 and was the singles and doubles winner at Vienna last year. The eighth seed Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci at 87 who plays Wellington’s Finn Tearney who has a couple of ranking points and is ranked at over 1000.
Former top-10 player Nicolas Massu of Chile, the Athens gold medalist is the fifth seed at 76. In 2008 he won through qualifying to grab a place in the quarters of the main draw.
Another notable player in qualifying is Vince Spadea. The veteran has been ranked as high as 18 in the world and is coached by former Italian pro Davide Sanguinetti. Spadea will take on Mathieu Rodrigues(France). American John Isner who stands at 2.05m and has a big reputation to go with his height faces Switzerland’s Michael Lammer.
Of the four remaining Kiwis Adam Thompson faces India’s Rohan Bopanna who is ranked a 332, while GD Jones who qualified last year plays 186th ranked Spaniard Miguel Angel Lopez Jaen.
Wairarapa’s Marcus Daniell plays 88th ranked Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain and Oliver Statham has the difficult task of taking on Argentine Diego Junqueira who sits at 77 in the world.
Qualifying starts at 10am at the North Harbour Tennis Park in Albany. A player needs to win three matches in qualifying to make the main draw.
Meanwhile Kiwi No2 Dan King-Turner has gained a late main draw singles wildcard after Japan’s Kei Nishikori did not require a wildcard as he moved into the draw as a result of the two special exempt places not being taken up. The second special exempt position goes to Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu ranked at 63.
New Zealand No1 Rubin Statham was earlier awarded a wildcard as was two-time former Heineken Open winner Dominik Hrbaty.
Singles main draw commences on Monday 12 January at the ASB Tennis Centre with the final Saturday 17 January.
Sailing : 15 year old Jessica Watson skippers her first ocean passage
On December 30th 2008, 15 year old Jessica Watson departed Brisbane as skipper of the 34’ Sweden sloop Magic Roundabout, bound for Whangarei, New Zealand. This 1,300 nautical mile passage is Jessica’s first trip as skipper on an ocean voyage although she has crewed on several other passages. See
http://www.youngestround.com for more information about Jessica’s around the world trip.
This trip is part of Jessica’s preparation for her solo around the world attempt that she will undertake later this year. When Jessica achieves her goal she will not only be the youngest woman to sail around the world unassisted but also the youngest person to do so.
On board Magic Roundabout for insurance purposes are Jim Hawke and Erica Coulston, who have been relegated to very passive roles, so that Jessica can test herself as a single handed skipper.
OceansWatch (http://www.oceanswatch.org) member Alice Sowerby owns Magic Roundabout. She has donated the long-term use of the boat to OceansWatch so that they can undertake their marine conservation and humanitarian aid projects in the Pacific.
In 2008 Magic Roundabout ran successful campaigns in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
Jessica is a keen supporter of OceansWatch and first sailed on Magic Roundabout on her maiden trip to Vanuatu in May 2008.
Jessica’s progress can be followed on her blog at
http://www.youngestround.blogspot.com/
She is due in to Whangarei, New Zealand on 12/01/2009
http://www.youngestround.com for more information about Jessica’s around the world trip.
This trip is part of Jessica’s preparation for her solo around the world attempt that she will undertake later this year. When Jessica achieves her goal she will not only be the youngest woman to sail around the world unassisted but also the youngest person to do so.
On board Magic Roundabout for insurance purposes are Jim Hawke and Erica Coulston, who have been relegated to very passive roles, so that Jessica can test herself as a single handed skipper.
OceansWatch (http://www.oceanswatch.org) member Alice Sowerby owns Magic Roundabout. She has donated the long-term use of the boat to OceansWatch so that they can undertake their marine conservation and humanitarian aid projects in the Pacific.
In 2008 Magic Roundabout ran successful campaigns in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
Jessica is a keen supporter of OceansWatch and first sailed on Magic Roundabout on her maiden trip to Vanuatu in May 2008.
Jessica’s progress can be followed on her blog at
http://www.youngestround.blogspot.com/
She is due in to Whangarei, New Zealand on 12/01/2009
Tennis : Unisex Press Conference Dark Room
Elena Dementieva had a shock when Juan Carlos Ferrero appeared shirtless during her post-match press conference Friday. The men's locker room has been the site for such media scrums all week, and doubles as a room for photographers, but this is the first time one of the Heineken Open and ASB Classic players overlapped. Dementieva, when seeing Ferrero in nothing but a towel, asked "Are you going to take it all off?" but it wasn't clear whether she was saying so in surprise or encouragement.
Tennis: Unseeded Pairs Make Final
French-Italian pair Nathalie Dechy and Mara Santangelo will face Spanish partners Nuria Llagostera Vives and Arantxa Parra Santonja in the KIA Motors Doubles final after their third consecutive straight sets victory and their second in a row at 6-2 6-4.
Dechy has won two Grand Slam singles titles, both at the US Open – 2006 with Vera Zvonareva and the following year with Dinara Safina.
They beat the American pairing of Julie Ditty and Carly Gullickson, who led in the second set before the Europeans reeled off a string of games. Neither pair of finalists has dropped a set so far and both pairs eliminated seeds early.
Dechy has won two Grand Slam singles titles, both at the US Open – 2006 with Vera Zvonareva and the following year with Dinara Safina.
They beat the American pairing of Julie Ditty and Carly Gullickson, who led in the second set before the Europeans reeled off a string of games. Neither pair of finalists has dropped a set so far and both pairs eliminated seeds early.
Tennis : Russians Survive New Zealand Summer
Top seeded Russian Elena Dementieva had little trouble booking her place in the ASB Classic final with a 6-2 6-2 dismantling of France's Aravane Rezai.
The 2008 runner-up showed no signs that she was intimidated by the world No 4, but she made no headway with her brave play. Dementieva was a brick wall to dash her faint hopes against.
"It was not an easy match," said Dementieva, "I just played the right way against her."
Rezai's more famous compatriot Napoleon ended a far longer and more costly campaign on the Russian steppes, done in by the Russian winter. Rezai's challenge melted in the Kiwi sunshine after only 66 minutes.
The other semifinal was a far less one-sided affair, with unseeded pair Anne Keothavong of Great Britain and Russian Elena Vesnina slugging it out for almost three hours in what became, considering the oppressive heat, a minor classic.
Keothavong took the first set in a tiebreak after having to claw her way back to 6-all. The younger Vesnina looked as if she had a problem closing out a clear advantage in several situations, but Keothavong's fighting qualities also earned the crowd's appreciation.
Vesnina found a rich vein of form reminiscent of the early rounds when she ran away with the second set 6-1, but then needed all her nerve to take the decider 7-5 in an error-ridden duel, both ladies keenly aware of the high stakes.
The 2008 runner-up showed no signs that she was intimidated by the world No 4, but she made no headway with her brave play. Dementieva was a brick wall to dash her faint hopes against.
"It was not an easy match," said Dementieva, "I just played the right way against her."
Rezai's more famous compatriot Napoleon ended a far longer and more costly campaign on the Russian steppes, done in by the Russian winter. Rezai's challenge melted in the Kiwi sunshine after only 66 minutes.
The other semifinal was a far less one-sided affair, with unseeded pair Anne Keothavong of Great Britain and Russian Elena Vesnina slugging it out for almost three hours in what became, considering the oppressive heat, a minor classic.
Keothavong took the first set in a tiebreak after having to claw her way back to 6-all. The younger Vesnina looked as if she had a problem closing out a clear advantage in several situations, but Keothavong's fighting qualities also earned the crowd's appreciation.
Vesnina found a rich vein of form reminiscent of the early rounds when she ran away with the second set 6-1, but then needed all her nerve to take the decider 7-5 in an error-ridden duel, both ladies keenly aware of the high stakes.
Tennis : FRIENDS ARE FOES IN FINAL
Elena Vesnina may or may not have slept peacefully on Friday night If she did it was for two reasons, a mixture of exhaustion after two of the tournament's longest matches and contentment at making her first WTA singles final.
Her next battle will take place against her countrywoman Elena Dementieva, and the younger Vesnina appears heavily out-gunned.
Dementieva is the top seed, world No 4, winner of 11 WTA titles and reigning Olympic singles champion.
She has breezed past four opponents in straight sets, spending over two hours less on court in total than Vesnina. Vesnina has come through her consecutive three-setters smiling, but needed ice packs on her hamstrings during the long semifinal against Anne Keothavong.
Vesnina was previously known as a doubles specialist. So far in the ASB Classic she tops the statistics in aces but is also near the very top in double faults. She has come through a few nervous moments in the tournament when her serve put her under pressure, and often needed errors from opponents to save her when her own groundstrokes weren't heavy enough.
Sometimes, even, it seemed like she needed a partner at net for the put-away volley.
Having the underdog tag sewn up, Vesnina can finally relax and her obvious talent may flow unchecked.
“She’s (Dementieva) a really good player, she plays unbelievable and it will be a very tough match,” said Vesnina.
It's a tall order, but Auckland's newest darling will have the crowd right behind her at the merest sniff of an upset... even if she takes a set off the favourite, like she did on grass in Holland in 2006.
This final featuring two Russians is the 17th such in the history of the WTA Tour. Curiously, Dementieva has played in no less than eight of the previous 16.
If Dementieva was sleeping anything other than peacefully last night, it's unlikely to have been from the thought of a massive upset. She doesn't seem the nervous type.
Her next battle will take place against her countrywoman Elena Dementieva, and the younger Vesnina appears heavily out-gunned.
Dementieva is the top seed, world No 4, winner of 11 WTA titles and reigning Olympic singles champion.
She has breezed past four opponents in straight sets, spending over two hours less on court in total than Vesnina. Vesnina has come through her consecutive three-setters smiling, but needed ice packs on her hamstrings during the long semifinal against Anne Keothavong.
Vesnina was previously known as a doubles specialist. So far in the ASB Classic she tops the statistics in aces but is also near the very top in double faults. She has come through a few nervous moments in the tournament when her serve put her under pressure, and often needed errors from opponents to save her when her own groundstrokes weren't heavy enough.
Sometimes, even, it seemed like she needed a partner at net for the put-away volley.
Having the underdog tag sewn up, Vesnina can finally relax and her obvious talent may flow unchecked.
“She’s (Dementieva) a really good player, she plays unbelievable and it will be a very tough match,” said Vesnina.
It's a tall order, but Auckland's newest darling will have the crowd right behind her at the merest sniff of an upset... even if she takes a set off the favourite, like she did on grass in Holland in 2006.
This final featuring two Russians is the 17th such in the history of the WTA Tour. Curiously, Dementieva has played in no less than eight of the previous 16.
If Dementieva was sleeping anything other than peacefully last night, it's unlikely to have been from the thought of a massive upset. She doesn't seem the nervous type.
Motorsport : Silverstone 2009 Calendar
2009 Silverstone gears up for a fun-fuelled 2009 Silverstone has today announced the circuit’s headline events for 2009, starting in May with the ever- popular Silverstone Supercar featuring the FIA GT Championship.
However, the highlight of the year will be in June when the home of British Motor Racing hosts the last ever FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX at Silverstone. Ticket sales for the venue’s flagship event are at an all time high, and 2009 looks set to be another spectacular season at the famous Northamptonshire venue. From two-wheels to four, Silverstone offers the best in international and national motor sport to entertain all the family. Advance tickets for most of these events are available to purchase online at www.silverstone.co.uk. Details of just some of the events to look forward to in 2009 are outlined below: 3 May SILVERSTONE SUPERCAR FEATURING THE FIA GT CHAMPIONSHIP (Advance tickets from £20 - race day) Silverstone is proud to host the opening round of the FIA GT Championship – a series which features some of the world’s finest supercars. As in previous years, the GT1 and GT2 teams will go head to head on the iconic Grand Prix circuit, with drivers also challenging for the historic and coveted Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy during the weekend.
Details of just some of the events to look forward to in 2009 are outlined
below:
3 May SILVERSTONE SUPERCAR FEATURING THE FIA GT CHAMPIONSHIP
(Advance tickets from £20 - race day)
Silverstone is proud to host the opening round of the FIA GT Championship – a series
which features some of the world’s finest supercars. As in previous years, the GT1 and GT2 teams will go head to head on the iconic Grand Prix circuit, with drivers also challenging for the historic and coveted Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy during the weekend.
19/20/21 June 2009 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX
(Individual day tickets from £49)*
Silverstone is anticipating this year’s British Grand Prix, on 19-21 June, to be one of the biggest and best Grands Prix in the history of the circuit. With British driver Lewis Hamilton returning to Silverstone as reigning World Champion the atmosphere and support from the fans promises to be exhilarating. Over half of race day tickets have already sold out so fans are advised to book now for one of the biggest British sporting events of the year.
4/5 July WORLD SERIES BY RENAULT
World Series by Renault lit up the Grand Prix circuit as Renault’s free festival of motor sport made its Silverstone debut in 2008. A total crowd of 110,000 enjoyed a thrilling weekend of action-packed racing, high-speed demonstrations by the ING Renault F1 Team and parades of historic Renault race and rally cars. In 2009, fans can expect a similar weekend of non-stop entertainment.
24/25/26 July THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC
Established as one of the UK’s unmissable classic motor racing events, the
Silverstone Classic provides an impressive line-up of races and entrants. Traditionally celebrating eight decades of motor sport and providing endless off-track entertainment for people of all ages, this is guaranteed to be a family favourite.
16 August BRITISH F3 / GT CHAMPIONSHIP
(Advance tickets from £16 – race day)
A regular fixture on Silverstone’s calendar, the British F3 International Series is rich with talent and renowned for being the proving ground for numerous F1 stars of
tomorrow. In addition to the fierce competition of this single-seater series, fans can also see on-track action from the Avon Tyres British GT Championship where some of the greatest sports car marques grace the international circuit – including Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.
30 August HIQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP
(Advance tickets from £23 - race day)
Being one of the most respected domestic racing series, the HiQ MSA British Touring
Car Championship is always a highlight of Silverstone’s event calendar. Lining up on
the grid will be the 2007 and 2008 BTCC champion Fabrizio Giovanardi who will be
fighting to defend his crown. In addition, during the run up to this year’s event,
Silverstone will host the World Aerobatic Championship which takes place on 20-29
August.
12/13 September AUTOSPORT 1000KM OF SILVERSTONE (LE MANS SERIES)
Fans can witness the stars and cars from the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans - the world's
most famous endurance race – competing in a 1000km six hour race on the Grand
Prix circuit at Silverstone, as part of the Le Mans Series.
27 September BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
(Advance tickets from £23 - race day)
Bringing the nation’s top riders and two-wheeled series to Northamptonshire, the
British Superbike Championship is Silverstone’s biggest bike event of 2009. Hosting
the penultimate round of the championship, there will be plenty of nail biting action as the leading manufacturers and talented riders such as Leon Camier, James Ellison and former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli contend for the title.
1 November WALTER HAYES TROPHY
(Advance tickets from £8 - race day)
Notably one of the world’s greatest Formula Ford 1600 events, the Walter Hayes
Trophy takes place every November at Silverstone. Attracting over 150 cars and
drivers, it is an entertaining festival and a true challenge for both established and
younger racers.
Other events at Silverstone to look out for in 2009 include the Mini United race weekend on 23-24 May, the Britcar six hour endurance race event on 2-4 October and the World Aerobatic Championship on 20-29 August.
For the full 2009 event calendar, further event information or to book tickets, visit
www.silverstone.co.uk where online booking discounts are available, or call 08704 588 260.
However, the highlight of the year will be in June when the home of British Motor Racing hosts the last ever FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX at Silverstone. Ticket sales for the venue’s flagship event are at an all time high, and 2009 looks set to be another spectacular season at the famous Northamptonshire venue. From two-wheels to four, Silverstone offers the best in international and national motor sport to entertain all the family. Advance tickets for most of these events are available to purchase online at www.silverstone.co.uk. Details of just some of the events to look forward to in 2009 are outlined below: 3 May SILVERSTONE SUPERCAR FEATURING THE FIA GT CHAMPIONSHIP (Advance tickets from £20 - race day) Silverstone is proud to host the opening round of the FIA GT Championship – a series which features some of the world’s finest supercars. As in previous years, the GT1 and GT2 teams will go head to head on the iconic Grand Prix circuit, with drivers also challenging for the historic and coveted Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy during the weekend.
Details of just some of the events to look forward to in 2009 are outlined
below:
3 May SILVERSTONE SUPERCAR FEATURING THE FIA GT CHAMPIONSHIP
(Advance tickets from £20 - race day)
Silverstone is proud to host the opening round of the FIA GT Championship – a series
which features some of the world’s finest supercars. As in previous years, the GT1 and GT2 teams will go head to head on the iconic Grand Prix circuit, with drivers also challenging for the historic and coveted Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy during the weekend.
19/20/21 June 2009 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX
(Individual day tickets from £49)*
Silverstone is anticipating this year’s British Grand Prix, on 19-21 June, to be one of the biggest and best Grands Prix in the history of the circuit. With British driver Lewis Hamilton returning to Silverstone as reigning World Champion the atmosphere and support from the fans promises to be exhilarating. Over half of race day tickets have already sold out so fans are advised to book now for one of the biggest British sporting events of the year.
4/5 July WORLD SERIES BY RENAULT
World Series by Renault lit up the Grand Prix circuit as Renault’s free festival of motor sport made its Silverstone debut in 2008. A total crowd of 110,000 enjoyed a thrilling weekend of action-packed racing, high-speed demonstrations by the ING Renault F1 Team and parades of historic Renault race and rally cars. In 2009, fans can expect a similar weekend of non-stop entertainment.
24/25/26 July THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC
Established as one of the UK’s unmissable classic motor racing events, the
Silverstone Classic provides an impressive line-up of races and entrants. Traditionally celebrating eight decades of motor sport and providing endless off-track entertainment for people of all ages, this is guaranteed to be a family favourite.
16 August BRITISH F3 / GT CHAMPIONSHIP
(Advance tickets from £16 – race day)
A regular fixture on Silverstone’s calendar, the British F3 International Series is rich with talent and renowned for being the proving ground for numerous F1 stars of
tomorrow. In addition to the fierce competition of this single-seater series, fans can also see on-track action from the Avon Tyres British GT Championship where some of the greatest sports car marques grace the international circuit – including Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.
30 August HIQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP
(Advance tickets from £23 - race day)
Being one of the most respected domestic racing series, the HiQ MSA British Touring
Car Championship is always a highlight of Silverstone’s event calendar. Lining up on
the grid will be the 2007 and 2008 BTCC champion Fabrizio Giovanardi who will be
fighting to defend his crown. In addition, during the run up to this year’s event,
Silverstone will host the World Aerobatic Championship which takes place on 20-29
August.
12/13 September AUTOSPORT 1000KM OF SILVERSTONE (LE MANS SERIES)
Fans can witness the stars and cars from the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans - the world's
most famous endurance race – competing in a 1000km six hour race on the Grand
Prix circuit at Silverstone, as part of the Le Mans Series.
27 September BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
(Advance tickets from £23 - race day)
Bringing the nation’s top riders and two-wheeled series to Northamptonshire, the
British Superbike Championship is Silverstone’s biggest bike event of 2009. Hosting
the penultimate round of the championship, there will be plenty of nail biting action as the leading manufacturers and talented riders such as Leon Camier, James Ellison and former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli contend for the title.
1 November WALTER HAYES TROPHY
(Advance tickets from £8 - race day)
Notably one of the world’s greatest Formula Ford 1600 events, the Walter Hayes
Trophy takes place every November at Silverstone. Attracting over 150 cars and
drivers, it is an entertaining festival and a true challenge for both established and
younger racers.
Other events at Silverstone to look out for in 2009 include the Mini United race weekend on 23-24 May, the Britcar six hour endurance race event on 2-4 October and the World Aerobatic Championship on 20-29 August.
For the full 2009 event calendar, further event information or to book tickets, visit
www.silverstone.co.uk where online booking discounts are available, or call 08704 588 260.
Golf : Tree In Six-Strong Squad For South Africa
England Under 14 Champion Toby Tree has been included in a six-strong boys squad to compete in the annual triangular tournament against the hosts and Canada at Zebula Golf Club near Pretoria in South Africa on 13th - 15th January.
He will be the youngest of the party that includes boy internationals Jonathan Bell, Tom Boys, Tom Lewis and Max Smith, and Under 16 cap Liam Harper.
Tree, from Sussex (photo courtesy of Tom Ward), won the Under 14 title at Coxmoor last summer and is a member of the England Under 16 training squad for this year.
Harper, from Kent, is also an Under 16 Squad member having made been given his international baptism in last autumn’s Under 16 matches against Scotland and Ireland. Also from Kent, Bell won the Under 14 Championship in 2004 an enjoyed a successful 2008, winning the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters and the South East Junior Championship and finishing third in the Fairhaven Trophy.
Boys, a former Cheshire Under 15 and Under 16 Champion, won the Fairhaven trophy last year and lost a playoff for the Canadian Junior Challenge
Lewis, from Hertfordshire, finished runner-up to Boys in the Fairhaven Trophy and was tied third in the Brabazon Trophy, a performance that earned him a share of the Henriques Salver for the best performance in the championship by a player aged under 20. Lewis also finished tied fourth in the Carris Trophy and was runner-up in the individual rankings in the Honda Junior Championship in Japan which England won.
Smith, from BB&O, had three runners-up finishes in 2007 including the English Under 16 Championship, while last year he finished third in the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, fourth in the Canadian Junior Challenge and reached the fourth round of the British Boys.
Bell, Boys and Smith made their England debuts at boys level in last year’s Boys Home Internationals, while Lewis earned his first boys cap in the 2008 European Boys Team Championships. All four are members of the England Under 18 training Squad.
The round robin match play format at Zebula is six singles on day one, three foursomes on day two and six more singles on the final day.
The full squad for South Africa is: Jonathan Bell (Royal Blackheath), Tom Boys (Royal Liverpool), Liam Harper (Lydd), Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City), Max Smith (Newbury Racecourse) and Toby Tree (Worthing).
He will be the youngest of the party that includes boy internationals Jonathan Bell, Tom Boys, Tom Lewis and Max Smith, and Under 16 cap Liam Harper.
Tree, from Sussex (photo courtesy of Tom Ward), won the Under 14 title at Coxmoor last summer and is a member of the England Under 16 training squad for this year.
Harper, from Kent, is also an Under 16 Squad member having made been given his international baptism in last autumn’s Under 16 matches against Scotland and Ireland. Also from Kent, Bell won the Under 14 Championship in 2004 an enjoyed a successful 2008, winning the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters and the South East Junior Championship and finishing third in the Fairhaven Trophy.
Boys, a former Cheshire Under 15 and Under 16 Champion, won the Fairhaven trophy last year and lost a playoff for the Canadian Junior Challenge
Lewis, from Hertfordshire, finished runner-up to Boys in the Fairhaven Trophy and was tied third in the Brabazon Trophy, a performance that earned him a share of the Henriques Salver for the best performance in the championship by a player aged under 20. Lewis also finished tied fourth in the Carris Trophy and was runner-up in the individual rankings in the Honda Junior Championship in Japan which England won.
Smith, from BB&O, had three runners-up finishes in 2007 including the English Under 16 Championship, while last year he finished third in the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, fourth in the Canadian Junior Challenge and reached the fourth round of the British Boys.
Bell, Boys and Smith made their England debuts at boys level in last year’s Boys Home Internationals, while Lewis earned his first boys cap in the 2008 European Boys Team Championships. All four are members of the England Under 18 training Squad.
The round robin match play format at Zebula is six singles on day one, three foursomes on day two and six more singles on the final day.
The full squad for South Africa is: Jonathan Bell (Royal Blackheath), Tom Boys (Royal Liverpool), Liam Harper (Lydd), Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City), Max Smith (Newbury Racecourse) and Toby Tree (Worthing).
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