Print

Mail

wiki links

Sports Briefs

■ Formula 1
McClaren rejects appeal
McLaren boss Ron Dennis says the time has come to move on after the embarrassing spy scandal that has dogged Formula 1 this season. McLaren announced on Friday they would not be appealing against the decision by the World Motor Sport Council to strip them of all their constructor points and impose a US$100 million fine. Although Dennis has always been adamant that no Ferrari intellectual property is on this year's McLaren car, he now accepts more than one of his employees was aware of the information. "We believe the time has come to put this huge distraction behind us," Dennis said.

■ Olympics
Russians to build island
Russian developers outlined plans yesterday for a 350-hectare artificial island in the shape of Russia to be built off the Black Sea coast near the future Olympic venue Sochi. Federation Island is expected to house around 25,000 people in apartments and villas and is to be completed in time for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, said its designer, Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat. It will have two marinas, three religious centers, roads, parkland and artificial rivers, the latter designed to mimic some of the major rivers of Russia. The project will cost around US$6.2 billion.

■ Soccer
Frankfurt draw with Bochum
Eintracht Frankfurt took a share of the overnight lead in the Bundesliga on Friday with a 0-0 draw against VfL Bochum, which left them level with Bayern Munich on 11 points. An uninspired performance wasted a chance to top the table for the first time in eight years. "We've played better matches than today," Frankfurt coach Friedhelm Funkel said. "But you have to be satisfied sometimes with just a point from an away match."

■ Golf
Foster, Derksen share lead
England's Mark Foster and Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen led the EPGA British Masters at seven-under par following Friday's second round at the Belfry in England's West Midlands. On a day when Ryder Cup Swede Robert Karlsson broke two clubs yet still made the cut and Scot Alastair Forsyth had an 11 on one hole, Foster and compatriot Lee Westwood overcame strong winds to boost their hopes of capturing the first prize today. Westwood, benefiting from a short-game tip from former European Tour player Mark Roe, bogeyed his last two holes, but was still talking confidently after adding a 70 to his opening 66. That finish, though, allowed Foster and Derksen to take over at the top, rounds of 66 and 68 respectively taking them on to the seven under par total of 137.

■ MotorCycling
Stoner struggles in Japan
Casey Stoner's hopes of clinching his first MotoGP world title at the Japanese Grand Prix suffered a setback when he struggled in yesterday's qualifying. The Australian had his worst qualifying session of the year in Motegi, finally securing ninth place on the grid for Ducati. Stoner leads multiple world champion Valentino Rossi and needs to finish in front of his Yamaha rival today to claim the title with three races remaining. Rossi will start from second on the grid after clocking a time of one minute, 46.255 seconds. Ahead of the Italian is Spain's Dani Pedrosa, who claimed his second pole of the season for Honda in 1:45.864.


This story has been viewed 926 times.