The number is the same but everything else about the would-be heirs to Britain’s “three blondes in a boat” is different as Lucy Macgregor and her crew begin the journey to the next Olympics, with the first high-profile regatta to be staged at the 2012 venue off Portland, near Weymouth, in Dorset, this week. Only one of them is blonde, for a start.
The “three blondes in a boat” name was given to the Yngling crew helmed by Shirley Robertson who won gold in the 2004 Games in Athens. Last year, Sarah Ayton skippered another all-blonde Britain crew to a gold medal. Now, though, the Yngling has been removed from the Olympic class list, replaced by the lighter, faster six- metre Elliott vessel.
They will compete in head-to-head match racing, with a round robin of races before quarter-finals, rather than the fleet racing system used in all other Olympic classes. Boats will be allocated to competitors by lot, to make it more balanced, and races will be held close to shore. The Elliott match racing could well be the most popular event in 2012 and Macgregor hopes to get the new Olympiad off to a flying start in the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta.
Macgregor is only 22, but she has been around a while. In 2005, she was handed the bow role in the Yngling with Robertson and Annie Lush and came close to qualifying as Britain’s entry for Beijing. “We were neck and neck with Sarah Ayton’s boat all the way through the World Championships, winning until the last race and then we slipped up,” Macgregor said.
With Ayton sitting out this year after giving birth to her first child — and expected to try for the 470 class — Macgregor saw an opportunity to run her own crew. She approached Lush, who had rowed for Cambridge in the women’s Boat Race, and then asked Ally Martin, 23, whom she had raced at youth level, to take her former bow role.
It has been an odd debut season. The Elliott boats were released only a few weeks ago, so racing has been held in whatever boats regattas have been able to get hold of. The World Championships were in boats twice the size of the Elliott and Macgregor’s crew finished ninth. In smaller boats they have done better, winning the World Cup regatta in the Netherlands and leading the overall standings.
“I really enjoy the boats,” she said. “They are fast and aquaplane beautifully. Those who do well will be those who push them to the limits.” Last week they won an international regatta without losing a race on the same waters and hope to keep the momentum going.
This regatta, the final stage in the World Cup series, is billed as the first event to be held at a completed 2012 venue and will offer a glimpse of how successful the Olympics can be. “It is important for people to come and see the Olympic venue as it will be,” Stephen Park, the Olympic manager, said. “Most of our sailors will spend 100-150 days a year here and this is the first time they can get their heads in a 2012 mindset against top-level competition — a chance to lay down a marker against their rivals — but this is also an opportunity for the race officials and organisers to show that they are ready to stage an Olympics.”
Britain has had a strong season. Nick Dempsey in the windsurfing and Paul Goodison in the Laser dinghy won world titles, with silver medals for the men’s 470 boat and in the 49er class. Although the best World Championship finish in the Finn class was Giles Scott in fourth place, there were four British boats in the top 11 and Ed Wright leads the World Cup series. “Results-wise it’s been fantastic, almost too good really,” Park said.
One surprising British entry in the Finn this week is Richard Hart, aged 70, who first raced in the Finn Gold Cup in 1963. One of his competitors is Florian Raudaschl, of Austria, whose father beat Hart in the event 46 years ago.
Source:The times
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Race to Dubai bows to the reality of recession
One of the most persistent rumours in the sport was confirmed yesterday when the European Tour announced that prize money for this year’s Race to Dubai and the accompanying Dubai World Championship in November has been reduced by 25 per cent.
First reaction to the news might be disappointment that such a much-trumpeted tournament has been watered down. When the European Tour announced the event almost two years ago — and with it a contract for five years — there was scarcely a rooftop from which it was not shouted about. The exultant tone was matched by the home page of the Dubai World Championship website, which described the event as the world’s ultimate golf prize in the world’s premier golf destination. It was not then and it is not now.
Nevertheless, it was felt that the European Tour had stolen a march in the race to secure tournaments for its members in the Middle East. The PGA Tour in the United States could only look on with envy and admiration.
Perhaps a more realistic reaction is that the European Tour is lucky the reduction has not been more than 25 per cent, given the manner in which Dubai’s property-driven economy has plummeted.
The leading 60 golfers in the Race to Dubai compete in the seasonending strokeplay event for a purse of $7.5 million (about £4.6 million), with $1.25 million for first place. The bonus pool of $7.5 million will go to the 15 highest finishers in the Race to Dubai, with the top man getting $1.5 million.
By comparison, the Tour Championship in Atlanta this week also boasts a $7.5 million purse, with the winner taking home a cheque for $1.35 million.
With eight events remaining in the Race to Dubai, Martin Kaymer, of Germany, leads the way with €1,982,055 (about £1.79 million) in prize money, followed by Paul Casey, of England (€1,965,150), and Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland (€1,726,927).
George O’Grady, the executive director of the European Tour, was in the Middle East last week talking to Nakheel Leisure, the company that runs what was begun by a company called Leisurecorp. “The European Tour has offered to reduce the prize money to reflect the current worldwide economic position,” O’Grady said. Rather more ominously, O’Grady went on to say, “We will jointly examine prize-money levels in future years.”
It has been clear since Nakheel took over Leisurecorp this year and news spread of the dire financial situation in Dubai that the tournament could not go ahead as originally planned.
“Nakheel is committed to the Race to Dubai and the Dubai World Championship,” Hamza Mustafa, the managing director of Nakheel Leisure, said. “The prize funds for both competitions are significant amounts that are worthy of the season-ending tournament and world-class field that will be competing, yet reflective of a new economic climate.”
Source:The times
First reaction to the news might be disappointment that such a much-trumpeted tournament has been watered down. When the European Tour announced the event almost two years ago — and with it a contract for five years — there was scarcely a rooftop from which it was not shouted about. The exultant tone was matched by the home page of the Dubai World Championship website, which described the event as the world’s ultimate golf prize in the world’s premier golf destination. It was not then and it is not now.
Nevertheless, it was felt that the European Tour had stolen a march in the race to secure tournaments for its members in the Middle East. The PGA Tour in the United States could only look on with envy and admiration.
Perhaps a more realistic reaction is that the European Tour is lucky the reduction has not been more than 25 per cent, given the manner in which Dubai’s property-driven economy has plummeted.
The leading 60 golfers in the Race to Dubai compete in the seasonending strokeplay event for a purse of $7.5 million (about £4.6 million), with $1.25 million for first place. The bonus pool of $7.5 million will go to the 15 highest finishers in the Race to Dubai, with the top man getting $1.5 million.
By comparison, the Tour Championship in Atlanta this week also boasts a $7.5 million purse, with the winner taking home a cheque for $1.35 million.
With eight events remaining in the Race to Dubai, Martin Kaymer, of Germany, leads the way with €1,982,055 (about £1.79 million) in prize money, followed by Paul Casey, of England (€1,965,150), and Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland (€1,726,927).
George O’Grady, the executive director of the European Tour, was in the Middle East last week talking to Nakheel Leisure, the company that runs what was begun by a company called Leisurecorp. “The European Tour has offered to reduce the prize money to reflect the current worldwide economic position,” O’Grady said. Rather more ominously, O’Grady went on to say, “We will jointly examine prize-money levels in future years.”
It has been clear since Nakheel took over Leisurecorp this year and news spread of the dire financial situation in Dubai that the tournament could not go ahead as originally planned.
“Nakheel is committed to the Race to Dubai and the Dubai World Championship,” Hamza Mustafa, the managing director of Nakheel Leisure, said. “The prize funds for both competitions are significant amounts that are worthy of the season-ending tournament and world-class field that will be competing, yet reflective of a new economic climate.”
Source:The times
Mark Hughes backs Craig Bellamy after fan altercation
Mark Hughes has lent his backing to Craig Bellamy after the Welsh striker's altercation with a Manchester United supporter during the derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The FA are thought to be considering all options, including a charge of violent conduct, after Bellamy was alleged to have hit the man as he was hauled away by stewards having run on to the pitch to celebrate Michael Owen's winning goal. United will ban the fan for life.
Bellamy is alleged to have told the man to “get off the f***ing pitch”. The supporter reportedly responded by telling Bellamy to “f*** off” which is when the Manchester City forward appeared to strike out. A 21-year-old man, Jake Joseph Clarke, was charged yesterday by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) with “going on to a playing area without lawful authority or excuse” and is due to appear at Trafford Magistrates’ Court a week tomorrow.
"All Craig has done is go over there and tell the guy to get off the pitch," Hughes said. "Craig wasn't privy to how much time was left to enable us to get back into the game.
"The guy made an aggressive move towards him and Craig wanted to get him off the pitch. Craig just put a defensive hand out to push him away."
TV replays show the Welshman advancing towards the melee and that the fan was being held by two stewards when Bellamy struck out. With Emmanuel Adebayor serving a three-match ban for violent conduct, City could do without another of their strikers running the risk of censure, but the club have vowed to defend Bellamy.
"You can never be quite sure what is going to happen in those situations," Hughes added. "We have not been contacted by the FA but if we are, that is what we will say."
City have already confirmed they will not discipline Bellamy. "No. I don't think there is any need to," Mark Bowen, the City assistant manager said. "My take is that he thought the fella might spit in his face or something.
"He came very close and moved towards him. Craig, with an open hand, just pushed the fella away."
Source:The times
The FA are thought to be considering all options, including a charge of violent conduct, after Bellamy was alleged to have hit the man as he was hauled away by stewards having run on to the pitch to celebrate Michael Owen's winning goal. United will ban the fan for life.
Bellamy is alleged to have told the man to “get off the f***ing pitch”. The supporter reportedly responded by telling Bellamy to “f*** off” which is when the Manchester City forward appeared to strike out. A 21-year-old man, Jake Joseph Clarke, was charged yesterday by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) with “going on to a playing area without lawful authority or excuse” and is due to appear at Trafford Magistrates’ Court a week tomorrow.
"All Craig has done is go over there and tell the guy to get off the pitch," Hughes said. "Craig wasn't privy to how much time was left to enable us to get back into the game.
"The guy made an aggressive move towards him and Craig wanted to get him off the pitch. Craig just put a defensive hand out to push him away."
TV replays show the Welshman advancing towards the melee and that the fan was being held by two stewards when Bellamy struck out. With Emmanuel Adebayor serving a three-match ban for violent conduct, City could do without another of their strikers running the risk of censure, but the club have vowed to defend Bellamy.
"You can never be quite sure what is going to happen in those situations," Hughes added. "We have not been contacted by the FA but if we are, that is what we will say."
City have already confirmed they will not discipline Bellamy. "No. I don't think there is any need to," Mark Bowen, the City assistant manager said. "My take is that he thought the fella might spit in his face or something.
"He came very close and moved towards him. Craig, with an open hand, just pushed the fella away."
Source:The times
ECB would support world Test championship 'in principle'
The ECB say they would support the introduction of a world Test championship, despite claims that England were one of two countries blocking the original plans.
Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), had said that England and India were opposing the idea but the ECB have denied this, saying they would be supportive of the venture "in principle".
"We are fully engaged with the ICC over proposals for a world Test championship and are supportive in principle," an ECB spokesman said.
It is though the ECB had initial reservations that the championship could be spread over four years, when the form of the teams could vary, and were worried about a potential clash with the 2012 London Olympics.
The current idea would result in countries playing each other in a group stage with the highest-placed teams competing for the championship in a one-off final.
"I would like to convince people that the way to ensure Test cricket survives is through a championship model," Lorgat said. "The only two countries who do not see the argument are India and England, but debate is growing all the time.
"The MCC seem to have come out in favour but when I met the ECB recently it was the wrong time to tackle them in detail. They were too high on the Ashes.
"I don't understand their thinking. The original plan was to have a four-year cycle for the championship, which protects icon series like the Ashes. It was very doable. Our Future Tours Programme will meet soon as the current schedule runs to May 2012. I would really like to see the Test championship included from there on."
Source:The times
Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), had said that England and India were opposing the idea but the ECB have denied this, saying they would be supportive of the venture "in principle".
"We are fully engaged with the ICC over proposals for a world Test championship and are supportive in principle," an ECB spokesman said.
It is though the ECB had initial reservations that the championship could be spread over four years, when the form of the teams could vary, and were worried about a potential clash with the 2012 London Olympics.
The current idea would result in countries playing each other in a group stage with the highest-placed teams competing for the championship in a one-off final.
"I would like to convince people that the way to ensure Test cricket survives is through a championship model," Lorgat said. "The only two countries who do not see the argument are India and England, but debate is growing all the time.
"The MCC seem to have come out in favour but when I met the ECB recently it was the wrong time to tackle them in detail. They were too high on the Ashes.
"I don't understand their thinking. The original plan was to have a four-year cycle for the championship, which protects icon series like the Ashes. It was very doable. Our Future Tours Programme will meet soon as the current schedule runs to May 2012. I would really like to see the Test championship included from there on."
Source:The times
Flavio Briatore 'considering legal action' against FIA ban
Flavio Briatore is reported to be considering legal action against the FIA and may set up a series to rival Formula One.
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport said he was planning to sue the sport's governing body in the Paris courts to try to prove his innocence and win compensation for the damage to his image.
The multi-millionaire co-owner of Queens Park Rangers Football Club is facing an indefinite ban from FIA-sponsored motor sport after ordering Nelson Piquet Jr to crash deliberately during last year's Singapore Grand Prix. His suitability as an owner of QPR is also being assessed by the Football League as a result of the FIA's findings.
"I am distraught," the 59-year-old told the newspaper.
Briatore left Renault last week along with Pat Symonds, the former director of engineering, who was banned for five years yesterday. Renault did not contest the accusations and were given a suspended ban that will last until the end of the 2011 season.
The Italian will no longer retain a role in the management of the GP2 Series, the Formula One feeder championship, and will not be able to continue managing racing drivers, among them four on the present Formula One grid - Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen and Romain Grosjean.
Carlos Gracia, head of the Spanish motor sport federation and a member of the FIA's world motor sport council, said Briatore's life ban was "excessive" and said he expected the Italian to mount a compensation claim.
"Briatore's [penalty] seems to me excessive, there was no clear proof against him and he was not able to defend himself either," he said. "I wouldn't rule out him going to ordinary justice because he has been left without his means of earning a living."
"Personally, I insist that Briatore's penalty seems disproportionate, while I think that a big mistake has been made with Piquet, creating a dangerous precedent," he added.
"Max Mosley has labelled the scandal as a criminal act, so I don't understand how the executor can be reprieved. He is as responsible for the scandal as the rest, and if he's not ready to handle situations with pressure, then maybe he chose the wrong job."
Earlier in the season, Briatore considered setting up a rival series when the teams clashed with the FIA over the proposed budget cap.
Source:The times
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport said he was planning to sue the sport's governing body in the Paris courts to try to prove his innocence and win compensation for the damage to his image.
The multi-millionaire co-owner of Queens Park Rangers Football Club is facing an indefinite ban from FIA-sponsored motor sport after ordering Nelson Piquet Jr to crash deliberately during last year's Singapore Grand Prix. His suitability as an owner of QPR is also being assessed by the Football League as a result of the FIA's findings.
"I am distraught," the 59-year-old told the newspaper.
Briatore left Renault last week along with Pat Symonds, the former director of engineering, who was banned for five years yesterday. Renault did not contest the accusations and were given a suspended ban that will last until the end of the 2011 season.
The Italian will no longer retain a role in the management of the GP2 Series, the Formula One feeder championship, and will not be able to continue managing racing drivers, among them four on the present Formula One grid - Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen and Romain Grosjean.
Carlos Gracia, head of the Spanish motor sport federation and a member of the FIA's world motor sport council, said Briatore's life ban was "excessive" and said he expected the Italian to mount a compensation claim.
"Briatore's [penalty] seems to me excessive, there was no clear proof against him and he was not able to defend himself either," he said. "I wouldn't rule out him going to ordinary justice because he has been left without his means of earning a living."
"Personally, I insist that Briatore's penalty seems disproportionate, while I think that a big mistake has been made with Piquet, creating a dangerous precedent," he added.
"Max Mosley has labelled the scandal as a criminal act, so I don't understand how the executor can be reprieved. He is as responsible for the scandal as the rest, and if he's not ready to handle situations with pressure, then maybe he chose the wrong job."
Earlier in the season, Briatore considered setting up a rival series when the teams clashed with the FIA over the proposed budget cap.
Source:The times
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