Michelle Roark put together a solid final run on Sunday to win the women's World Cup moguls event at snowy Whiteface Mountain. Olympic champion Dale Begg-Smith of Australia won the men's event.
Roark qualified fifth, but her back-flip off the top jump and her "bronco" (a full rotation with her skis kicked out midway through the spin) on the bottom jump were worth 24.20 points.
Ekaterina Stolyarova of Russia was the runner-up with 24.13 points, with Czech Nikola Sudova in third place on the final day of the Nature Valley Freestyle Cup.
PHOTO: AP
Begg-Smith, the defending World Cup champion and second on Friday in the opening moguls contest, led the qualifying run as he earned the 13th World Cup win of his career. He had 26.37 points, ahead of Canadian Alexandre Bilodeau with 25.57.
Pat Deneen, a 20-year-old American who qualified for the World Cup last month, picked up his second top-three finish of the weekend.
The World Cup tour heads next to Mont Gabriel, Quebec, just outside Montreal, for moguls on Saturday and aerials next Sunday.
SKI CROSS
AP, KREISCHBERG, AUSTRIA
Tomas Kraus of the Czech Republic won a men's World Cup ski cross event on Sunday and Ophelie David of France won the women's race.
It was the 10th career victory for Kraus, a 33-year-old world champion who also won both previous ski cross events this year.
Michael Schmid of Switzerland finished second, and Alois Mani, another Swiss skier, took third.
Kraus extended his lead in the World Cup standings, leading Enak Gavaggio of France by 96 points.
David won the women's race for her 10th career title, edging Karin Huttary of Austria. Jenne Owens of Australia was third, while World Cup leader Myrel Boulangeat of France took fourth.
Hedda Berntsen, who finished fifth, is second in the standings. David climbed to third place, trailing Boulangeat by 59 points.
The next World Cup ski cross event is scheduled for Park City, Utah, on Feb. 2.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely