RALLYING
Two killied in car accident
Two members of an Argentine news team covering the Dakar Rally died on Thursday when the car they were driving in fell into a ravine, Super Rally magazine said. “The dead are journalism student Agustin Mina, 20, and Daniel Ambrosio, 51, who loved auto racing,” magazine manager Francisco Delgado said. Also in the vehicle were 31-year-old Martin Delgado, the magazine manager’s son, and Rodrigo de Quesada, 36. Both men are photographers for Super Rally magazine. The survivors were taken to a hospital in Tucuman. The group came from the central province of Cordoba, except for Quesada, who is Peruvian. The cause of the crash was not clear, Francisco Delgado said by telephone. “[The car] fell 100m over a cliff and those in the front seat were killed instantly. The others were saved,” he said.
FOOTBALL
Redskins appoint Gruden
Jay Gruden, who spent the past three years as offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, was named on Thursday as the new coach of the Washington Redskins. Gruden replaced Mike Shanahan, who was fired one day after the Redskins completed a disastrous 3-13 season, dropping their final eight games of the campaign. “I look forward to the challenge,” Gruden said of his first NFL head coaching post. “I don’t know what happened last year [in Washington] and I don’t care what happened last year. I am only concerned about the future.” The Redskins went 24-40 under Shanahan, winning an NFC East Division title in 2012, but flopping badly last season, despite some moments of success for run-pass double threat Robert Griffin III at quarterback.
FORMULA ONE
Irvine handed jail sentence
Former driver Eddie Irvine was sentenced to six months in prison by an Italian court on Thursday in a trial over a brawl in a nightclub, lawyers said. The judge found the Northern Irishman and Gabriele Moratti, the son of a former Milan mayor, guilty of “mutual injury” during the incident in the VIP section of the Hollywood nightclub in Milan in 2008. Each had accused the other of being the aggressor and using a glass in the brawl. Both men were sentenced to six months in prison, but the sentences can be appealed and if confirmed would probably be suspended so neither are likely to end up going to jail, lawyers said. The lawyers disagreed on whether the fight had occurred because the former racing driver made contact with a former girlfriend of Moratti. Irvine, 48 and from County Down, drove for Jordan, Ferrari and Jaguar before retiring in 2003.
CRICKET
De Villiers goes under knife
South Africa wicketkeeper A.B. de Villiers was set to undergo hand surgery yesterday, but is expected to be fit for the upcoming series against Australia, a Cricket South Africa spokesman said on Thursday. De Villiers was having a plate in his hand removed after it started to cause him discomfort, in a delayed procedure announced a week ago. The plate was inserted after he suffered a break in the Indian Premier League two years ago. “The recovery period is usually three to four weeks and he should be ready in time for the series against Australia in February,” South Africa manager Mohammed Moosajee said. South Africa are resting key fast bowler Dale Steyn, who suffered a small fracture in his rib in last month’s Test win over India, so that he can also be fit for the series. South Africa play three Tests and three Twenty20s against Australia, with the first Test starting in Pretoria on Feb. 12.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and