Author

Hugh

TAO CAPTURES HEARTS WITH STUNNING GIRO VICTORY

written by Hugh

Tao Geoghegan Hart gave Britain one of its sporting moments of the year by winning Giro d’Italia in the closest final day of a Grand Tour in history.

The East Londoner blasted past Jai Hindley, with whom he was locked level at the start of the final stage, with an incredible 15.7km time trial ride into Milan.

Hart realised a dream and became the fifth British rider to win a Grand Tour race, following Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Simon Yates.

“Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine this would be possible when we started a month ago in Sicily,” said the 25-year-old.

“All my career I’ve dreamt of trying to, maybe, be top five or top ten in a race of this stature.

“This is completely and utterly different to that and it’s going to take a lot of time to sink in.

“I don’t know and I don’t care what comes after this. I’m just going to enjoy it, it’s incredible. I’m going to stay the same person, as professional and dedicated as I always have been.

Full story – https://www.teamgb.com/article/tao-captures-hearts-with-stunning-giro-victory/2SjaTo0iYFjCLnFK8BQ1h7

26th October 2020 0 comment

Motor Sports

Lowes triumphant in Teruel for third straight victory

written by Hugh

25th October 2020 0 comment

Squash

‘Pay and play’ success sees record numbers return to squash

written by Hugh

Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club have seen record numbers hit the courts since squash returned from lockdown in July.

The multi-sports club introduced a ‘pay and play’ scheme, opening up its six squash courts and 15 tennis courts to non-members, and recently chalked up a century of players across the club.

“In the past, a member could bring a visitor twice a month,” explained sports manager Marc Hughes.

“Now we’ve opened the club up to pay and play, members can bring someone – who might be locked down with them or in their bubble – pay £4 for 45 minutes of squash and play as many times as they want.

“It’s worked really well. In August we had 100 different people using the courts. It was our best August ever!

We’ve earned in one month what we’d usually earn in a year from visitor fees and some of the visitors have become members too.”

Marc also credited the club’s excellent communication and flexibility with aiding their successful return from lockdown.

“Getting people on the squash courts was our biggest challenge – you’re indoors and in a hot and sweaty environment,” he said. “The attitude of the club was always to go over and above in order to make people feel safe.

“When we had people down for the first time, myself, our facilitiy manager, the coaching team and committee went out of our way to have someone meet them and explain everything.

“We did some YouTube videos and Facebook Lives to show members what we had in place – the one way system, a new entrance direct to the squash courts, removing any shared equipment and furniture – and put in an enhanced cleaning programme with the facilities team.”

Full story – https://www.englandsquash.com/news/pay-and-play-success-sees-record-numbers-return-to-squash-1

23rd October 2020 0 comment

Esports

Astralis and Garmin in new, strategic partnership

written by Hugh

In the strive to champion the positive potential of gaming, Astralis now joins forces with Garmin, the global leader within wearable performance technology, in a strategic, commercial partnership.

The partnership includes the promotion of the new Garmin Instinct Esports Edition smartwatch designed for esports athletes and -enthusiasts and Astralis has already actively integrated the use of Garmin products in training and performance routines.

Jakob Lund Kristensen, co-Founder and CCO Astralis Group explains:

– We always look for new ways to develop the game and our business. We share the same vision as Garmin when it comes to performance and health, and for quite some time we have discussed how both parties could take advantage of Garmin’s expertise within performance technology and our constant strive to progress and elevate the game.

– Entering a long-term commercial partnership across all our teams is a strong commitment from both sides. We look forward to this partnership, and we are going to be very active around promotion and marketing in the Nordic region.

– We see a massive potential as the co-operation will be fully unfolded over the coming months and years, Jakob Lund Kristensen explains.

Full story – https://www.esportspress.co.uk/astralis-and-garmin-in-new-strategic-partnership/

22nd October 2020 0 comment

Sailing

Talks offered to London and South East clubs on the new Racing Rules of Sailing

written by Hugh

London and South East Regional Rules Advisor Chris Simon offers online or Covid spaced talks to clubs on the new Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024.

Chris writes:

The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2021 – 2024 will come into effect on 1^st January 2021. However, some of the changes in the rule book may require organisers to make changes to the Notices of Race and/or Sailing Instructions which will need to be published before next January.

There are also some changes in race management rules that club ROs or OODs will need to know about before officiating in 2021.

There are a few changes that competitors need to understand before they compete in 2021 – and some changes for protests and redress requests as well as changes in both racing administration and protest procedures.

I have prepared a ‘New Rules 2021-24’ talk for club audiences. I can give the talk and the PowerPoint presentation on Zoom or similar conference software or visit a club and give the talk to a small (and Covid-spaced) audience to be videoed for streaming to club members. I will be happy to discuss what your club would like to do: I am expecting quite a big demand and will, if necessary, give priority to clubs that race throughout the winter.

The basic rules presentation using the ‘Handy Guide to the Racing Rules 2021-2024’ is now available and is particularly suitable for newcomers to sailboat racing and can be delivered in the same ways as above.

You can order your new Racing Rules of Sailing and the Handy Guide here

21st October 2020 0 comment

Athletics

DOUGLAS, GEMILI, TWELL AND WALLACE ARE ELECTED TO THE UK ATHLETICS ATHLETES’ COMMISSION

written by Hugh

Nathan Douglas, Adam Gemili, Steph Twell and Vanessa Wallace have been elected to the UK Athletics Athletes’ Commission and will serve a minimum two-year term.

Vanessa Wallace is re-elected to the Commission; she was first elected in 2018. The Enfield and Haringey athlete is a world bronze medallist and European champion in the F34 shot put, and balances her full-time athletics with studying Sports and Exercise Science at the University of East London.

Adam Gemili joins the Commission, following his spell as an Ex-Officio member. The 27-year-old is an Olympic and world finalist over 200m, 4x100m relay gold medallist from the IAAF World Championships in 2017, and a four-time senior European champion.

Multiple British champion and two-time European silver medallist in the triple jump, Nathan Douglas, has been elected for the first time. As has Steph Twell, European and Commonwealth medallist on the track and a prolific European champion on the cross-country circuit.

Hannah England, Chair of the UK Athletics Athletes’ Commission, said:

“The Athletes’ Commission is delighted to welcome new members Adam, Nathan, and Steph, and congratulate Vanessa on being re-elected for a second term. We were so glad to see the quality and quantity of applicants this year and to see the voting numbers rise in this, our second, election. This high engagement further emphasises the importance of the athlete voice in our sport. We look forward to working hard to continue our representation of our athlete community and collaborating with UK Athletics and the HCAFs to create the best possible environment for welfare and performance.

“Lastly, on behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank departing members, Abdul Buhari, John Pares and Richard Yates, for their time and energy over the first three years of the UKAAC.”

Joanna Coates, CEO of UK Athletics, added:

“Congratulations to Adam, Nathan and Steph on their election, and Vanessa on her re-election, to the UK Athletics Athletes’ Commission. These four individuals join at an incredibly important time for the sport. Working alongside Hannah and the other members, their insight will be invaluable as we continue to strive to amplify the voices of our athletes across the sport.

“We are committed to putting athletes at the heart of what we do, and I look forward to working with all members of the Commission to achieve that goal in the years ahead.”

Hannah England remains the chair of the Commission, while Holly Bradshaw, Ashley Bryant, Dan Greaves, Andrew Heyes, Stephen Miller, Naomi Ogbeta and Richard Whitehead complete the 12-strong Commission.

Full Terms of Reference for Commission membership.

Read more information on the UKA Athletes’ Commission, here.

20th October 2020 0 comment

Tennis

Judy Murray – The Game Changers

written by Hugh

Judy Murray OBE, a former international tennis player, Fed Cup Captain and coach to many champions including her sons Jamie and Andy.

Listen here – https://thegamechangers.libsyn.com/judy-murray

19th October 2020 0 comment

Esports

LAGOS ESPORTS FORUM FOUNDER SAYO OWOLABI APPOINTED AS SENIOR ADVISOR FOR AFRICA AT ESPORTS WORLD FEDERATION

written by Hugh

In a bid to extend its imprints into Africa, the ESports World Federation (ESWF) has announced the appointment of Nigerian Sports Media and Marketing Professional, Sayo Owolabi as its Senior Advisor for the Africa Ecosystem Development.

In his role as the Senior Advisor, Africa, Sayo who is the Founder of Africa’s leading full service ESports Organization, the Lagos ESports Forum (LESF) will coordinate the activities of members of the Organization of Africa ESports (OAES) and also serve on the Board of the ESWF advising on the Strategic direction and engagement of the African Ecosystem and chairing the Media Portal Commission of the body.

In a release on the appointment, ESWF President, Arniel Gutierrez described Sayo as an astute Leader whose works with the LESF in the last 6 months is a testament to the qualities required to stir the ship of the African Project for the ESWF and also give sound advisory direction and voice on the Board in relation to the African Ecosystem Development.

The ESports World Federation is a Philippines-based worldwide organization which was founded in 2019 and prides itself as the umbrella organization of all International Federations of electronic sports and digital sports with the objective of creating “ESports For All”.

Get more information about the ESports World Federation on www.eswf.games

18th October 2020 0 comment

Athletics

SMITH OBLITERATES BRITISH U23 HALF MARATHON RECORD WITH EPIC RUN IN GDYNIA

written by Hugh

A magnificent performance from Jake Smith (coach: James Thie; club: Cardiff) saw him lowered his own British Under-23 half marathon record and move third on the all-time British list with an impressive 60:31 clocking at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland.

Over the near five-and-a-half kilometre loop on the streets of Poland, Smith produced a measured run, keeping pace with the leading group to go through the 10km mark in a PB of 28:43 and continued to challenge with some of the biggest names in the sport as the race wore on.

Into the home straight, the emotion on Smith’s face turned to elation as he looked up to see the time of 60:31 appear, chopping almost 90 seconds off his previous best of 62:00, set at the Vitality Big Half back in February.

His performance spearheaded the team to an overall 10^th place finish, clocking a time of 3:06:17, with Mo Aadan (Paul Oppe; Thames Valley) and Kris Jones (Dundee Hawkhill) coming home in 50^th and 60^th respectively in 62:41 and 63:05, a PB for the latter.

After the race, Smith said: “When I came down that final straight and saw what I was at, at the 20km mark, I couldn’t believe it. I got a 10km PB along the way and I was with the main group when I did that and it was so good. In that last lap, I caught one of the Turkish guys and just worked with him and I knew once we were at the top of the hill, it was downhill all the way.

“I put everything into the downhill and tried to hang on as much as I could. I started crying happy tears on the home straight because I just couldn’t believe it.

“I couldn’t ask for a better team, we all get on so well and we were warming up as a group and I couldn’t ask for anyone else to share this with.”

Aadan went out well and paced his race well to record a season’s best, with Jones working his way through the field after going out strongly in the early stages, ensuring he came away with a PB.

On his senior British debut, Adam Craig (Steve Vernon; Inverclyde) knocked a further 12 seconds off his lifetime best with a 63:12 clocking that earned him 62^nd place overall, with Tom Evans (Andrew Hobdell; Belgrave), making his British debut on the roads, 64^th in 63:14, a personal best by one second.

On the team spirit and performance, Aadan added: “Our team spirit is and was very, very high. Everyone was up for it. I tried my best to get a PB and got a season’s best instead but I was a little bit out.

“This is my third time out with the British team and I haven’t seen spirit like this. It’s like all of us have been together for a few months, not days. Everyone is proud to wear this vest and I’m so grateful for our wonderkid [Jake], he’s superman today.”

Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) came away with top spot for Uganda in a championship record of 58:49, with Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) and Amedework Walelegn (ETH) rounding out the individual medal spots in 58:54 and 59:08 respectively.

The senior women’s team, which saw all three British athletes making their senior debuts at the championships, were led to 15^th position in the overall standings, with Samantha Harrison (Vince Wilson; Charnwood) leading the way in 71:53.

Harrison and Becky Briggs (Mick Woods; City of Hull), the latter of whom was the youngest athlete in the field at just 20-years-old packed well in the early stages but as the pace was quickened, the Brits were made to work hard as field stretched out.

Harrison showed good pace through the 10km split, sitting in 31^st position, breaking the split in 33:29 and held kept her consistency through until the line, leading the scoring in 47^th spot.

Clara Evans (Chris Jones; Cardiff), making her maiden appearance in a British team, found herself in a sprint finish with Briggs in the closing stages, Evans cutting the tape in 73:11.

After the race, Harrison said: “I was really happy with that, the course was much tougher than I anticipated it being and it really took it out of your legs. I started off well but as the race wore on it all just started to take its toll.

“I’m happy with it for my senior debut, I gave it all that I could and I’m happy to be inside the top 50 on my first appearance in a British vest.”

Briggs added: “You look around you and the level of competition is insane. I’m only 20 but what an amazing experience to be in the same race as some of these girls, especially when they’re breaking the world record like they have done today.

“A lot of young athletes don’t step up to the bigger distances until much later in their career but I feel like I’m ready to compete on world events and on that stage. Hopefully in years to come I’ll have the opportunity to do so again and I’ll have more miles in my legs. That performance out there is just a stepping stone to what is to come later.”

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir produced a world record run to take her second World Half Marathon title, clocking 65:16, as Germany’s Melat Yisak Kejeta set a national record of 65:18 for silver, with Yalemzerf Yehualaw claiming bronze in 65:19.

Full results from the race are available on the World Athletics website.

17th October 2020 0 comment

Esports

HISTORIC TRANSFER: ASTRALIS TO SELL “ES3TAG” HANSEN TO CLOUD9

written by Hugh

Astralis, Cloud9 and Patrick “es3tag” Hansen have agreed to a the terms of a transfer sending Patrick “es3tag” Hansen from Astralis to Cloud9. The transfer will be effective after DH Open Fall.

Anders Hørsholt, CEO of Astralis Group:

– This is not something we saw coming when we signed Patrick only four months ago, but player transfers will always be a part of the game. We will not be commenting on any specifics around this agreement, but I do believe it is one of the biggest transfers on record and the conditions offered to Patrick are also of a kind, he wanted to pursue.

– We have an obligation towards our own business and towards the player and as such we are pleased to have finalized this agreement with Cloud9. As a player and as a professional, Patrick will be missed by everybody here, and I hope one day, he will yet again be a part of Astralis. We wish him the best of luck!

Patrick “es3tag” Hansen:

– Things have gone extremely fast. I am proud to represent Astralis, I love the fans and I never for a second thought, I would be move on to a different team this early. I just won my first big title and I truly enjoy working with all the guys on and around the team. Over the past 6 months, I have grown as a person and a player, and I owe a lot to the organization.

– That being said, what Cloud9 is offering me is something I needed to consider seriously. I love the ideas behind the project, and I believe it will be a team to consider in the top of CS for the years to come. While I am sad to leave Astralis and all the people here, I look forward to the challenge in Cloud9. Thanks to the fans for the massive support they have shown me, I will always have Astralis and the fans very close to my heart!

Kasper Hvidt, Director of Sports at Astralis Group:

– Needless to say, the timing is not optimal, but player transfers are a part of the game and I wish Patrick only the very best. I have worked with him twice now, and he is a stand-up guy and a rare professional, who understands what it takes and who will always work his hardest for himself and his teammates.

– The transfer leaves an open spot but having Andreas “Xyp9x” back leaves us with 6 of the best players in the world. Having worked and gained a lot of experience with a 6-man set-up, it is obvious that this is something Danny, our coach, is comfortable with, and we are in no rush to increase the roster short term. Possible future transfers and securing consistency in the overall performance might mean we will have 5 or 7 players in shorter periods, though, but this is not a part of the plans right now.

– Ultimately, we are working towards a full 2-team roster with 10 players like the set-up we have in League of Legends. This is something we will present at a later stage, right now I just want to thank Patrick for his time and hard work and wish him the best of luck in the future.

Astralis and Cloud9 have agreed not to discuss further financial details of the agreement.

*Photo of Patrick “es3tag” Hansen with Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen and Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander (credit Astralis Group)

Story courtesy of https://www.esportspress.co.uk/historic-transfer-astralis-to-sell-es3tag-hansen-to-cloud9/

16th October 2020 0 comment

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