Croatian skier Ivica Kostelic won the men’s World Cup slalom in Wengen, Switzerland, yesterday beating Austria’s Marcel Hirscher and Jean-Baptiste Grange of France.
It was the in-form Kostelic’s third win in the last four World Cup races and it extended the 31-year-old’s lead in the overall World Cup standings — 215 points ahead of Norway’s Aksel-Lund Svindal — after his 15th career World Cup victory.
While Svindal failed to qualify for the second leg, Kostelic was at ease on a course where he has tasted victory twice before in the slalom.
Photo: AFP
Kostelic timed 1 minute, 45.28 seconds, beating Hirscher and Grange by 0.93 seconds and 0.98 seconds respectively.
For Grange, it was a welcome return to form ahead of next month’s world championships in the German resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, as he recorded his first podium finish since winning in Levi, Finland, in the middle of November.
On Saturday, Austria’s Klaus Kroll spoiled Swiss hopes of a home victory when he won the World Cup downhill ahead of local pair Didier Cuche and Carlo Janka.
The 30-year-old sped down the 4,450m-long course, the longest on the circuit, in 2 minutes, 31.28 seconds to achieve his third World Cup success two years after his last win at Kvitfjell, Norway, in March 2009.
Cuche missed out for the third time on a home victory by just 0.14 seconds after also taking the runners-up spot in 2007 and 2008.
Janka achieved his second podium finish in as many days after being runner-up in Friday’s super-combined.
“I wasn’t thinking about victory,” Kroll said. “I was tired during the training runs. After my fall in Bormio, I wasn’t feeling too good. I really like Wengen, but the fact is that up until now I’ve never had good results here.”
Germany’s Stephan Keppler, 27, was evacuated by helicopter after crashing out. He was later found to have damaged his left knee and ankle ligaments, and he returned to Germany.
Swedish veteran Patrik Jaerbyn, 41, was not so lucky. He had to spend a night in hospital in Interlaken for observation after suffering concussion following a fall.
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