■ YACHTIN
‘Ericsson 4’ takes second leg
Sweden’s Ericsson 4 won the second leg of the around the world Volvo Ocean Race yesterday morning, cruising into India’s Kochi port three days ahead of schedule. The monohull yacht, skippered by Brazilian Olympic gold medallist Torben Grael, reached the southwestern port an estimated 12 hours ahead of nearest rival Telefonica Blue. Ericsson 4, which had also won the first leg into Cape Town on Nov. 1, was due in on Wednesday and now leads the eight-yacht race with 26 points as its rivals play catch-up. “Everybody is very happy,” said Grael after his yacht finished the 14-day journey from Cape Town. “It was a very tough leg with so many different conditions.”
■HORSE RACING
China tries horse betting
China has carried out horse betting on a trial basis, signaling an ambition to restore a form of gambling that was outlawed by the Communists six decades ago, state media reported yesterday. The test run took place on Saturday at the China Speed Horse Race Open in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where spectators could bet on four races, Xinhua news agency said. Each spectator was allowed to place two bets for free, and winners were given lottery tickets that gave them a chance of winning minor money prizes, according to Xinhua.
■FOOTBALL
Giant shot in right thigh
New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was accidentally shot in the right thigh and spent the night in the hospital. The Giants said the shooting happened on Friday and he was released from the hospital early on Saturday. The team did not say where the shooting took place or in what hospital Burress was treated. The Giants termed what happened an “apparent accidental shooting.” A team official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Burress was wounded in a nightclub. The team said it has been in contact with the 31-year-old receiver since the shooting.
■BOXING
Sosa retains flyweight title
Edgar Sosa of Mexico retained his WBC light flyweight title on Saturday when he beat Filipino Juanito Rubillar by knock out in the seventh round. The 29 year-old Sosa (34-5-0), who defended his world title for the seventh time in 20 months, took control of the match in the fourth round and got the win in the seventh, when he strike a powerful left hook that rattled Rubillar and then continued throwing punches until the referee stopped the fight. Rubillar (46-11-2), a 31-year-old southpaw, was considered a big threat for the Mexican, and he looked dangerous in the first two rounds until Sosa settled in the fourth and began dominating the fight at the Arena Mexico.
■LUGE
Italians win season opener
Gerhard Plankensteiner and Oswald Haselrieder of Italy won the season-opening luge World Cup doubles race on Saturday. Plankensteiner and Haselrieder finished in a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 19.038 seconds after setting a new track record of 39.433 seconds in their first run. Andreas and Wolfgang Linger of Austria trailed the winners by 0.238 seconds to finish second, while Tobias and Markus Schiegl of Austria took third with a 0.290-second deficit. Defending overall World Cup champions Patric Leitner and Alexander Resch of Germany finished fifth. The luge World Cup event in Igls continues with women’s and men’s singles races yesterday.
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