Monthly Archives

October 2024

Kiwi and Norwegian stars excel as World Cup racing begins in Austria.

written by Hugh

Alice Robinson and Henrik Kristoffersen made strong starts to the new FIS World Cup season as the duo both scored second-place finishes in the Giant Slalom event in Sölden, Austria. Here is all you need to know:

– Starting in bib two, Robinson put down an impressive first run as she dominated the steep upper section before losing a little time on the flatter section of the piste to sit in second position behind American powerhouse Mikaela Shiffrin.

– With the start order reversed for run two, Robinson had to deal with a course that was starting to deteriorate in condition due to the 28 athletes who had gone before her.

– The New Zealander was still able to deliver a blistering run as she used her strength to maintain a quick line down the bumpy course, eventually finishing just 0.17 seconds behind winner Federica Brignone of Italy.

– Robinson, 22, said: “I always struggle a little bit when the conditions were like they were in the second run, quite bumpy and really a lot of moisture in the snow. So, I was really happy that I kept really solid and skated a decent run, and that kept me in a position for a podium.”

– Having now finished as runner-up in four of her past five Giant Slalom races, Robinson will be targeting the top step of the podium next week when racing returns to Killington in the USA.

– In Sunday’s men’s event, Kristoffersen pushed hard during his second run on the steep Rettenbach glacier and secured his best-ever result in Sölden, finishing 0.65 seconds behind fellow Norwegian Steen Olsen.

– Kristoffersen, the 2019 Giant Slalom world champion, said: “A very good day skiing, really good in the pitch. Both runs lost a bit of time on the flat but better than in previous years.”

– There was also an impressive performance from Lucas Pinheiro Braathen who missed out on a podium place by less than three-tenths of a second. Competing in Brazilian colours after a year out, Braathen even danced the samba after taking the early lead on run two.

– Braathen, 24, said: “Ten seconds ahead of starting on the first run, for the first time in my life, I smiled before I dropped in. I’ve never, ever done that before. And that’s when I realized I’m back where I belong. I was able to ski with my heart today and when you let me go I can achieve great things.”

– Alpine skiing legend Marcel Hirscher also made a comeback in Dutch colours instead of his former Austrian status. The 35-year-old made a tentative start after five years out but showed signs of improvement on his second run as he finished in 23rd place.

– Hirscher, who won a record eight consecutive overall World Cup crystal globes, said: “The last five years I was laying on the couch on Sölden weekend. I mean, it’s not too bad to be on the couch and to see the race on TV, but it is way better to be here and, yeah the second run was maybe one of the most emotional results or moments in my whole career. After five years away from ski racing it is a lot of work to be back, and it means a lot to me. It’s just great to be part of the racing community again.”

Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZC3fASV63A

Image courtesy of Red Bull

Explore more Skiing content HERE.

28th October 2024 0 comment

Cycling

Great Britain equals best ever result at the 2024 Tissot UCI Track World Championships

written by Hugh

Great Britain rounded off a fantastic 2024 Tissot UCI Track World Championship campaign in Ballerup, securing a total of 13 medals, with the women’s points, men’s elimination, women’s keirin, and men’s Madison races concluding the final day of competition.

Women’s keirin

The women’s keirin racing started confidently with both Emma Finucane and Katy Marchant sailing through their qualifying rounds with ease.

Finucane dominated her quarter-final. Starting from the fourth position, she quickly moved to the front with three laps to go, holding off the pack to sneak across the line first and into the semi-finals.

Marchant came from fifth position, accelerating throughout the race and moving over the top with one lap to go. Creating space between her and the rest of the group with a final push on the home straight, she too moved into the next round.

Full article available here: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gbcyclingteam/article/20241020-gb-cyclingteam-Great-Briain-equals-best-ever-result-at-the-2024-Tissot-UCI-Track-World-Championships-0

26th October 2024 0 comment

Sailing

Emirates Team New Zealand defeat INEOS Britannia 7-2 to win the 37th America’s Cup

written by Hugh

INEOS Britannia went into Saturday’s action in Barcelona knowing they needed to win every single race left in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match if they wanted to overhaul defending champions Emirates Team New Zealand.

The breeze was too light initially forcing a small postponement, however it picked up enough for the two boats to start Race 9 with the Kiwi boat tacking smartly to build up an early lead of 19 seconds by the starboard marker.

INEOS Britannia rounded the port marker 22 seconds behind but they managed to eat into the deficit by heading to the right boundary, their tactics soon seeing the Emirates Team New Zealand lead cut entirely.

The defending champions, though, have been here before and their experience showed as they nailed a starboard gybe to take a 12-second lead at the port marker, which they extended to 17 seconds as they powered ahead at the next port marker fuelled by 43 knots of wind.

The Kiwis then sailed fast towards the left of the course before gybing and angling towards the finish, which they crossed to win by 37 seconds and claim another Auld Mug. They have officially made history as the first continuous team to win the America’s Cup three times in a row.

Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling said: “It’s a pretty surreal feeling, it’s still definitely sinking in. In the America’s Cup, you’re all ready for a long battle but to be able to get it done today in just beautiful sailing conditions with a little bit of shift in it and just so many people cheering us on, was amazing.”

INEOS Britannia’s Sir Ben Ainslie said: “First of all, I’ve got to say credit to Emirates Team New Zealand; an amazing achievement for that organisation and for our team to get into the America’s Cup itself was a huge achievement. We’ve been on quite a journey for the last 10 years, especially the last three years. I think we’ve got a great group of people and we can take it to the next level.”

Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Final Standings (After 9 of 13 races)

1. Emirates Team New Zealand – 7 points

2. INEOS Britannia – 2

Read the rest of the 2024 rolling story HERE.

21st October 2024 0 comment

Athletics

2024/25 OLYMPIC WORLD CLASS PROGRAMME ATHLETES ANNOUNCED

written by Hugh

A group of 65 athletes have been nominated for membership to join the UK Athletics Olympic World Class Programme (WCP) for 2024/25.

The Olympic WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative to identify, develop and support talented athletes towards medal success at the Olympic Games and other global major Championships.

The WCP is split into several levels reflecting the actual and the future performance potential of athletes: Podium, Podium Potential, Relay and Confirmation. Athletes are nominated for the WCP if it is judged they have the realistic potential and demonstrable performance capability and capacity to win medals at Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games or towards 2032.

UKA are committed to the principle that winning will always be achieved with integrity and in line with UK Sport’s ambition of ‘Keep Winning and Win Well’.

As per previous years, the nomination for WCP membership is subject to UK Sport ratification and a signed athlete agreement between the athlete and UKA.

UKA Olympic Head Coach Paula Dunn said:

“I would like to thank UK Sport and The National Lottery for their continued investment in the World Class Programme. Their support is essential in helping our athletes be the best prepared they can be for the biggest competitions in our sport.

“Athletics has had two consecutive years of bringing back 10 medals from a global stage and this investment is key to that. I believe we have demonstrated as a sport we are directing this investment into the right areas and look forward to receiving confirmation of our LA investment later this year.

“For those athletes who have transitioned off the programme or not made the programme today, it is not to say they won’t have success in future, just that the parameters for WCP selection are very specific and they do not qualify right at this moment. Everyone who wears the GB & NI vest should be proud of their achievement, we are, and we will continue to see where we can add value, support and guidance to those individuals who do not meet the WCP criteria at this time.

“Finally, as with any Olympic year we have also seen a number of athletes choosing to retire from GB competition and their place on the WCP. I would like to thank those athletes who have represented GB & NI so well over the years. Your presence both on the WCP and on the GB & NI team will be missed and everyone wishes you the best of luck in your future careers and ambitions.”

WCP Athletes:

Olympic Podium (21)

Amber Anning (Chris Johnson, Brighton & Hove)

Dina Asher-Smith (Edrick Floréal, Blackheath and Bromley)

Georgia Bell (Trevor Painter, Belgrave Harriers)

Max Burgin (Ian Burgin, Halifax Harriers)

Emile Cairess (Renato Canova, Leeds City)

Molly Caudery (Scott Simpson, Thames Valley)

Jacob Fincham-Dukes (Austin Brobst, Leeds City)

Keely Hodgkinson (Trevor Painter, Leigh)

Matthew Hudson-Smith (Gary Evans, Birchfield)

Zharnel Hughes (Glen Mills, Shaftesbury Barnet)

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Aston Moore, Liverpool)

Josh Kerr (Danny Mackey, Edinburgh)

Morgan Lake (Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow)

Laura Muir (Dundee Hawkhill)

Daryll Neita (Marco Airale, Cambridge Harriers)

Ben Pattison (Dave Ragan, Basingstoke and Mid Hants)

Jemma Reekie (Jon Bigg, Kilbarchan)

Jazmin Sawyers (Aston Moore, City of Stoke)

Cindy Sember (Chris Johnson, Woodford Green Essex Ladies)

Katie Snowden (Herne Hill)

Jake Wightman (Geoff Wightman, Edinburgh)

Olympic Podium Potential (11)

Melissa Courtney-Bryant (Rob Denmark, Poole)

Charlie Dobson (Leon Baptiste, Colchester)

Neil Gourley (Stephen Haas, Giffnock North)

Naomi Metzger (Aston Moore, Trafford)

George Mills (Thomas Dreißigacker, Brighton Phoenix)

Jade O’Dowda (John Lane, Newham and Essex Beagles)

Tade Ojora (Joanna Hayes, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow)

Aimee Pratt (Thomas Dreißigacker, Sale Harriers Manchester)

Anna Purchase (Mohamed Ali Saatara, Notts)

Marc Scott (Chris Jones, Richmond and Zetland)

Jessica Warner-Judd (Mick Judd, Blackburn)

Olympic Relays – (22)

Eugene Amo-Dadzie (Steve Fudge, Woodford Green Essex Ladies)

Jeremiah Azu (Marco Airale, Cardiff)

Joe Brier (Nick Dakin, Swansea)

Lewis Davey (Trevor Painter, Newham and Essex Beagles)

Jona Efoloko (Ryan Freckleton, Sale Harriers Manchester)

Toby Harries (David Sadkin, Brighton Phoenix)

Alex Haydock-Wilson (Dai Greene, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow)

Desiree Henry (Steve Fudge, Enfield & Haringey)

Louie Hinchliffe (Richard Kilty, Sheffield & Dearne)

Amy Hunt (Marco Airale, Charnwood)

Hannah Kelly (Les Hall, Bolton)

Imani-Lara Lansiquot (Ryan Freckleton, Sutton & District)

Rio Mitcham (Leon Baptiste, Birchfield Harriers)

Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Ryan Freckleton, Newham and Essex Beagles)

Laviai Nielsen (Tony Lester, Enfield and Haringey)

Lina Nielsen (Tony Lester, Shaftesbury Barnett)

Victoria Ohuruogu (Newham and Essex Beagles)

Asha Philip (Amy Deem, Newham and Essex Beagles)

Ama Pipi (Tony Lester, Enfield and Haringey)

Sam Reardon (Nigel Stickings, Blackheath and Bromley)

Bianca Williams (Linford Christie, Thames Valley)

Nicole Yeargin (Vince Anderson, Pitreavie)

Olympic Confirmation – (10)

Alastair Chalmers (Matt Elias, Guernsey)

Phoebe Gill (Deborah Steer, St Albans)

Romell Glave (Michael Afilaka, Croydon)

Megan Keith (Ross Cairns, Inverness)

Mahamed Mahamed (Idris Hamud, Southampton)

Jake Norris (Paul Dickenson, Windsor, Slough Eton & Hounslow)

Charlotte Payne (Paul Dickenson, Reading)

Calli Hauger-Thackery (Nick Hauger, Hallamshire)

Revee Walcott-Nolan (Thomas Dreißigacker; Luton)

Joshua Zeller (Matt Kane, Bracknell AC)

Olympic Relay Confirmation (1)

Yemi Mary John (Alan James, Woodford Green Essex Ladies)

18th October 2024 0 comment

Motor Sports

Moto2: Salac smashes lap record to top Friday standings in Motegi

written by Hugh

Conditions were hot, humid and a little wet on Friday at the Mobilty Resort Motegi, 2 hours north of Tokyo. Friday morning’s FP session was held on a dry track with damp patches, while a brief shower interrupted P1, held in the afternoon, for five minutes. Conditions quickly improved soon after.

The action in Japan starts on Saturday at 9:25 local time for Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Tony Arbolino and Filip Salac in Practice 2 before qualifying gets underway at 13.45 local time.

4th October 2024 0 comment

Swimming

Changing the Narrative documentary – Ed Accura

written by Hugh

The Changing the Narrative documentary series offers an intimate, fly-on-the-wall experience, capturing the raw journey of young people as we delve into vital topics such as mental and physical health, fashion, religion, music, dietary choices and more, all this while addressing the low participation rate of Black and Asian youth in swimming and aquatics.

Watch episode 1 –

3rd October 2024 0 comment

Rugby

Manchester Firm Helps Raise £50k For Cancer Hospital with Etihad Charity Rugby Day

written by Hugh

A Recruitment firm based in Manchester has more than quadrupled its £10k fundraising target for a leading cancer hospital after hosting an inaugural charity rugby day.

The City Recruiter sold nearly 600 tickets for its event at the Etihad Complex on Sunday 29th September for a day of fierce competition and family fun with around £50,000 raised.

The event was organised by Nick Ryan, who formerly played for Salford and now heads up The City Recruiter in Manchester, and former playing mate Chris Bamber, whose wife, Sarah, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer last year at the age of 45 and received treatment at The Christie.

Not even a Sunday chill could dampen the spirits of players and spectators, and the day kicked off with the GB Police Women’s Rugby team going head-to-head with the Keighley Cougars Women’s team.

GB Police were quick to score a try within seconds of the first whistle, setting a precedent for the rest of the match. Despite many efforts by the Keighley Cougars, GB Women gave nothing away and went on to win with a score of 72-6.

Winning Captain Max Barker said: “That score represents what we are as a team, and we’ve got so much more to come.

“I know a couple of people who have been affected by cancer and that’s why we were keen to get involved.”

Keighley Cougar’s Coach Darren Collins praised his team for giving the match, “110%.”

“The turnout was great for women’s rugby,” he said.

“The women’s game at the moment is flourishing; let’s keep it going.”

Next up was the newly formed Manchester Select Men’s team, featuring co-organisers Nick and Chris Bamber, who challenged the GB Police Men’s Rugby squad.

Despite a solid defence from Manchester Select, GB Police stormed through and emerged triumphant with a final score of 22-4.

Manchester Select’s fierce determination to battle on to the end would not be swayed, however, and they scored an impressive try in the game’s final moments.

Manchester Select’s Head Coach and former professional, Steve Molloy, said: “The team were a credit to themselves.

“These guys have put their bodies on the line; some of them haven’t laced up their rugby boots for up to 10 years, so to go out there and compete for 80 minutes is fantastic.

“We’ve all had members of our family or nearest and dearest people involved who have had cancer and it is close to my heart.

“It’s so important that people are more aware and that the fundraising and good work the charity does is continued.”

Warrington Wolves winger Matty Ashton made a welcome appearance at the stadium and was seen cheering on each team. He later presented the raffle as the day drew to a close.

Of the day’s events, Matty said: “It was a great spectacle. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and it’s all for a great cause.

“The Christie is a great charity and it does so much for a lot of people’s lives.

“To see the community come out and support not only a great charity but a great game of rugby as well is fantastic. It’s a really special sport.”

Co-organiser, Chris, said: “It was a genuine pleasure to see all our hard work pay off and so many people gathering together to enjoy a bit of rugby.”

Nick added: “The support we’ve received is truly overwhelming, and it means the world to see our community come together for such a meaningful cause.

“Seeing the smiles, the energy, and the passion from everyone—from the players to the families in the stands—has been uplifting. This event was about unity, and it’s a memory we’ll cherish forever.”

Picture credit – Co-organiser Chris Bamber and the Manchester Select team walk off the field.

The City Recruiter – https://thecityrecruiter.co.uk/

2nd October 2024 0 comment

Pick Your Sport

Louis Vuitton Cup Finals: DAY 5 Recap – Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs INEOS Britannia

written by Hugh

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA), helmed by Jimmy Spithill, came into Tuesday’s action and Race 7 buoyed by their win in the second race on Monday and winds pushing the upper limit of 21 knots again for their Louis Vuitton Cup Final series against INEOS Britannia that stood at 3-3.

The British boat started on port entry and the Italians on starboard as the two boats struggled to get the upper hand early on. Luna Rossa, though, forced INEOS Britannia to tack back towards the left boundary to get a slender lead as they both bore away at speeds in excess of 50 knots.

Unfortunately, Luna Rossa suddenly came to a halt after a nosedive with issues around their jib track area and pieces of combing coming off as the crew inspected their damage. The British boat continued on in an effort to secure a point with the Italians officially retiring halfway up the fifth leg to ensure that occurred to give INEOS Britannia a 4-3 series lead.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli port helm Francesco Bruni reported onboard that it was caused by the “balance between the sails and foils” with the team repairing the jib track fairing and then executing a test run for Race 8.

In Race 8, INEOS Britannia went for a tack on the boundary to incur a penalty which meant that, after the start, they needed to get behind by 75 metres. The Italians soon extended that to 150 metres after a long starboard tack along the boundary to the middle of the course and, by the port marker, they possessed a 12-second lead which was cut down to eight seconds at the first leeward gate by Sir Ben Ainslie’s crew.

Spithill and his crew decided not to engage their opponents too much to round the starboard marker with a seven-second lead at a thrilling 55 knots. The two boats continued to gybe and tack around each other with the Italians protecting the right side of the course into the final windward gate to lead by 16 seconds as both boats went to alternate boundaries.

Luna Rossa made no mistake on the first gybe to stretch their lead to over 350 metres with one final gybe on the port layline seeing them home into the finish with two boards down to record a 16-second win that levelled the dramatic series to 4-4 as worldwide fans enjoyed another thriller.

Uncover the stories behind America’s Cup, from High-Speed Thrills of the AC75s Boats to Intense Rivalries Between Teams, Experience the Passion and Dedication of Sailors Vying for Ultimate Glory on ‘Flying on Water’ on Red Bull TV HERE.

Words and Images courtesy of Red Bull

1st October 2024 0 comment

Diving

Invincible Iffland wraps up eighth consecutive Red Bull Cliff Diving title in Antalya

written by Hugh

In the men’s competition, Great Britain’s Aidan Heslop powered to his fourth win of the season in the Türkiye sunshine to pull away from his title rivals ahead of the Sydney finale in November.

Victory number five of the season – her 40th in a stellar career – saw Iffland hold off the spirited challenge of Canada’s Molly Carlson for the third year running, ensuring it’ll be a triumphant homecoming in Sydney in six weeks’ time. The Australian led from start to finish on the Mediterranean coast, also picking up an extra championship point for executing the best dive of the weekend – a near-perfect Reverse Flying 1 Somersault Tuck in Friday’s first round directly off the cliff face.

“It’s been a long season, a tough season and I’ve been training really hard and putting a lot of work in behind the scenes. To see it all pay off is quite an emotional thing,” said the tearful 33-year-old following her victory.

“Yesterday I didn’t have any idea that I could actually take out the title, but somebody told me and since then it’s been ticking over. I knew that I needed to put down a solid dive today and I was a lot more nervous than usual, but we did it. I can’t wait to put on a good show in front of my friends and family, everyone will be there cheering me on.”

Carlson, who needed to follow up her recent Montreal victory with another win in Türkiye to extend the title fight to the final stop, finished 43 points behind Iffland in second place, while compatriot Simone Leathead took third spot to claim her second podium of the season. The promising 21-year-old moves up into fourth place overall, two points behind American Kaylea Arnett, who finished fifth here.

In the men’s competition, Heslop tightened his grip on top spot with an equally dominant performance, finishing almost 40 points ahead of runner-up Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) to celebrate his fourth win of the season. With his two title rivals – James Lichtenstein of the USA and Romania’s Constantin Popovici – both faltering with fifth and sixth place finishes respectively, the Brit now takes a commanding 16-point overall lead into the season finale.

“I’m feeling good. It was just an incredible event here today. I mean, the crowd, the sun, the location, it all just worked out. And to stand on top of the podium here today is going to be a real honour. I really thought James and Costa were going to add some real pressure today. I know they can do those dives for nines but they didn’t quite hit them,” said the 22-year-old Brit, who drilled down a huge Forward 4 Somersaults 3½ Twists Pike of his own in the final round.

“16 points ahead, that’s a nice lead at the minute. Why fix it when nothing’s broken, I’ll be doing the same thing that I just did hopefully and standing on top of that podium and taking that trophy at the end of the year.”

Italy’s Andrea Barnaba, meanwhile, completed the men’s podium thanks to an exceptional display from the 27m platform, for which he earned three 10.0 scores from the judges across the weekend. Two of those top notes were awarded for his exquisite third round dive – a Back 3 Somersaults 2 Twists Pike – which earned the 20-year-old rising star an extra championship point for the best dive of the competition.

Heslop, whose commanding lead means he has one hand firmly on the King Kahekili trophy, is on the cusp of fulfilling a dream which many in the cliff diving world predicted when he first burst onto the scene as a teenage prodigy. A thrilling three-way title fight many now have become a procession, but Lichtenstein and Popovici still carry a mathematical chance into the final stop.

The divers will now enjoy a six-week break before heading to Australia for the grand finale of a long and gruelling season on November 10. There, the two champions will be crowned and the battle for permanent places on the 2025 tour will be settled in front of thousands of fans.In the men’s competition, Great Britain’s Aidan Heslop powered to his fourth win of the season in the Türkiye sunshine to pull away from his title rivals ahead of the Sydney finale in November.

Carlson, who needed to win in Türkiye to extend the title fight to the final stop, finished 43 points behind Iffland in second place, while compatriot Simone Leathead took third spot to claim her second podium of the season.

In the men’s competition, Heslop tightened his grip on top spot with an equally dominant performance, finishing almost 40 points ahead of runner-up Oleksiy Prygorov to celebrate his fourth win of the season. With his two title rivals – James Lichtenstein of the USA and Romania’s Constantin Popovici – both faltering with fifth and sixth place finishes respectively, the Brit now takes a commanding 16-point overall lead into the season finale.

Italy’s Andrea Barnaba, meanwhile, completed the men’s podium thanks to an exceptional display from the 27m platform, for which he earned three 10.0 scores from the judges across the weekend.

Words courtesy of Red Bull Diving

1st October 2024 0 comment