Oct 29

OK, rivalling Sidney Crosby is probably a longshot. But playing versus men at age 15 in a national league is an achievement, even if it’s in New Zealand. Not to mention being a native-trained top prospect for national teams in multiple age groups.

So nice work, Jordan Challis (who’s also a former member of the Markham Waxers, incidentally). Times Newspapers of New Zealand has the full story today.

In case you’re curious, the Kiwis currently sit 39th in the IIHF World Rankings, and NHL.com’s Bill Meltzer provided a great overview of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League last month.

If hockey continues to grow as it has since the NZIHL’s 2005 debut, at least New Zealand won’t suffer any more defeats as lopsided as the 58-0 pounding Australia administered in a March 15, 1987 game in Perth. (That result got the New Zealanders into the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest margin of defeat in an IIHF World Championship game–in what was then known as the D Pool. Unbelievably, they still won the bronze medal that year.)

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Source: hockeyadventure.com

Oct 29

By: Elmo Kandel

LAAX in Switzerland stands over 30 000 feet high, with skiing and snowboarding facilities that suit everyone’s needs – from beginners to world champions. LAAX has hosted all the big events in snowboarding and skiing, welcoming thousands of tourists from around the globe each week. LAAX was one of the first major skiing locations to get on the map, when in the 70s skiing holidays started to rise in popularity for western travelers - LAAX was right their, waiting to ride the wave. Millions of visitors later, LAAX are renowned for their 3rd slalom known only as “Death Mountain” by some. With glaring views down the steep, tangling mountain-side it is no wonder “Death Mountain” scares even the most resilient of skier.

With excellent facilities for everyone LAAX recently hosted the snowboarding world open, in which over 10,000 people took part from 60 countries around the world. An interesting element of this was that over 100 entries came from south Asia and Africa showing the rise of the sport, and the exposure of the location on a global scale. LAAX was voted number 1 skiing location around the world, by “Ski Press Magazine” that also notes LAAX as having the third best Snowboarding facilities and, as being the best new comer to Freestyle snowboarding. The popularity of LAAX, has also lead to continued investment from the company operating the slope, building an amazing ski lift that can handle weights of over 80 tonnes as it climbs 30 000 feet up the mountain face. The ski lift’s unique attribute is its balancing technology that allows the ski lift to carry massive amounts of weight disproportionately whilst keeping a balanced angle and speed.

The popularity of LAAX is not just shared by avid skiers and snowboarders. Top music names and DJs also come to LAAX to experience the amazing events first hand. With the rise of snowboarding many of these musicians feel they can appeal to a certain audience out on the slopes, especially under the cover of darkness, with only flood lights keeping the mountains alive. The DJs provide entertainment as the crowd snowboard and ski into the morning sunlight. The views and the experience are utterly amazing, and are a sure way to ensure top class entertainment for the young travelers who visit LAAX.

However it is not only the night-time DJ sets and fireworks that sparkle for the young skiers; there are also plenty of locations tailored to their needs off the slopes as well. With local pubs, clubs and even swimming pools the young ones are sure to enjoy themselves off the snowy mountains of LAAX. Despite being an amazing location for younger skiers the location also appeals to those who have never been skiing before. They have multi-lingual training facilities and indoor centres where they train first-time skiers up before taking them to the slopes. They also have amazing training facilities for advanced skiers, facilities that would undoubtedly be used by the world’s top skiers and snowboarders at the world events that are held at the slope almost every year.

The local hotels and accommodation are amazing because unlike most skiing locations, they don’t limit the skiers and snowboarders to a single choice. There are youth hostels that are perfect for those looking to ski on the cheap; there are 5 star hotels for those looking to live the lap-of-luxury and there are many options in between. LAAX is home to more than just pubs, clubs and swimming pools, with banks and supermarkets also at realistic walking distance. LAAX is said to be at its peak during August, however this is said to be true for most of Europe’s top, skiing locations. That is why it is advisable to find a quieter time to visit, preferably a short time following the busy spell. The great thing about coming after the peak is that you are able to come for around half the price of another time of the year.

Elmo Kandel is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com

Source: ju-sport.blogspot.com

Oct 29

Edwin van der Sar

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar intends to retire from international soccer after next year’s European Championship.
 
"The time has come," Van der Sar told Radio 538 on Monday.

The 37-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper is the Dutch team’s record holder with 121 international appearances.

The Netherlands needs only one more win from its last two group matches, against Luxembourg and Belarus, to qualify for the Euro 2008 tournament in Switzerland and Austria.

Van der Sar, who made his debut on June 7, 1995, began his career at Ajax, winning the Champions League in 1995. He then moved to Juventus, Fulham and Man United.

 


 

Source: www.tsn.ca

Oct 29

LAS VEGAS — A man accused of pulling a gun as O.J. Simpson and others confronted two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room told a judge Monday that he’ll accept a plea deal and testify against Simpson and two other men.

Michael McClinton, 49, of Las Vegas, became the third man to agree to plead guilty to reduced charges in the case.

He told Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure he will plead guilty to robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. He could receive probation or up to 11 years in prison.

According to police reports, McClinton brought two guns at Simpson’s request to a Sept. 13 confrontation with collectibles dealers Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley. McClinton wielded one gun and acted like a police officer, according to others in the hotel room.

McClinton’s testimony would provide prosecutors with another account contradicting Simpson’s claim that no guns were involved when he went to retrieve items he said belonged to him. In brief comments outside the courtroom, his lawyer, William Terry, wouldn’t say what testimony McClinton would provide.

Simpson’s lawyer, Yale Galanter, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has criticized Clark County District Attorney David Roger for “giving away the courthouse” while cutting deals with co-defendants.

Simpson and co-defendants Clarence Stewart and Charles Ehrlich face 12 criminal charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and coercion, and one gross misdemeanor, conspiracy to commit a crime. A kidnapping conviction alone could result in a sentence of life in prison with parole.

Charles Cashmore and Walter Alexander have pleaded guilty to reduced charges and agreed to testify against the three men.

Alexander, a Simpson golfing buddy from Mesa, Ariz., told police that Simpson said to bring guns, and told him later to deny that guns were used. Alexander pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to commit robbery, and could face probation or up to six years in prison.

Cashmore, a union laborer from Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to felony accessory to robbery. He could receive probation or up to five years in prison.

Authorities say memorabilia taken from the hotel room included football game balls signed by Simpson, Joe Montana lithographs, baseballs autographed by Pete Rose and Duke Snider, photos of Simpson with the Heisman Trophy, and framed awards and plaques, together valued at as much as $100,000, according to police reports.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Source: sports.espn.go.com

Oct 29
De Canio is the new first team coach at Loftus Road

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed the appointment of Italian Luigi de Canio as first team coach.

The 50-year-old, who has led Udinese, Napoli, Reggina, Genoa and more recently Siena, has signed a three-year contract at Loftus Road.

Mick Harford, who had been in caretaker charge following the sacking of John Gregory, has left the club.

“I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity. It will be an honour,” De Canio told QPR’s website.

“I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our game against Hull on Saturday.”

The incoming new owners at QPR - a group fronted by Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone - were keen to appoint an Italian.

They turned to De Canio after a bid to install former Palermo and Monaco boss Franceso Guidolin stalled.

“De Canio is fully aware of the high standards and objectives that the new management has set for the future of the club,” said chairman Gianni Paladini.

“He is ready and eager to take up the challenge.”

Paladini added: “We offered Mick Harford a role within the new set-up and we’re disappointed that he turned it down.

“He has done a fantastic job and his contribution will never be forgotten.

“The club is going through a phase of total restructuring and for us, the appointment of Luigi de Canio is the first important step ahead in our long-term strategy.”

Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Oct 29

INJURY threatens to derail Queensland Roar’s unbeaten four-game run with ex-Australia player Danny Tiatto out for at least a fortnight and young gun Michael Zullo and Marcinho in serious doubt for Friday night’s A-League clash at Adelaide.

Queensland are counting the cost of last Saturday night’s 3-3 draw with Perth, with Tiatto suffering a groin strain and Zullo (knee) and Brazilian Marcinho (hamstring, shoulder) rated only "50-50" chances of leaving Brisbane on Thursday.

But key midfield player Matt McKay is expected to return from an ankle injury for the away clash that will be crucial to the Roar’s chances of breaking back into the top four.

"Danny Tiatto has a grade two groin strain so he’s going to be missing for a couple of weeks," Roar physio Tony Ganter said.

Zullo suffered right knee cartilage damage and will see a doctor tomorrow.

"He’s probably got enough function to train on Wednesday and we’ll have a look again, but that’s dependent on the doctor’s advice," Ganter said.

Marcinho was initially in doubt with a left shoulder sprain but found out today that he had also suffered a left hamstring twinge.

"At this stage the best we can say about both players (Zullo, Marcinho) is that they’re 50-50 to make the game this week," Ganter said.

Roar coach Frank Farina admitted he would be facing a "selection dilemma".

"We’ll have a look at him (Marcinho) on Wednesday and a few will do a bit of a light session tomorrow (Tuesday), but he’s (Marcinho) in doubt so we’ve got a squad that’s struggling at the moment," Farina said.

"(And) Adelaide away, it’s a tough place to go and they’re flying at the moment."

Farina believed his men had shrugged off the disappointment of conceding an injury time equaliser against Perth.

"Of course we were very disappointed we didn’t get the three points but the morale amongst the boys is good," he said.

"I don’t think there’ll be a problem lifting again for this week.

"We showed great character to come back the way we did after a bad start (2-0 down) and that says a lot about this squad."

 

AAP

Source: foxsports.com.au

Oct 29

Cesc Fabregas’ 80th minute goal secured the unbeaten Gunners a point at Anfield to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League.Highlights below.

Source: www.soccerblog.com

Oct 29

By: Mitchel Vedia

Porsche 911

The 2005 Porsche 911 redesigned rear-wheel-drive models. The models are available as coupes and convertible Cabriolets. They all have a rear-mounted, horizontally opposed 6-cyl engine. The redesigned Porsche 911 has subtly altered styling and dimensions and changed the interior. There are two types of 911: The Carrera, with a 325-hp 3.6 liter engine and The Carrera S, with 355-hp 3.8 liter.

The 6-speed manual transmission is standard to all 911s. Optional, we can choose the 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate and steering-wheel controls. Standard, the 911s have antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid/traction control and front side airbags. The redesigned Careras include side airbags in the windowsills for head protection. In the convertibles models, we find a power top and heated glass rear window. A suspension with lowered ride height and shock absorbers are standard on the Carrera S and optional on the Carrera. This system helps adjusting firmness within driver selectable Normal and Sport models. All other Porsche models have 18 inch wheels, but the Carrera S has 19s. An option for the Carrera is a Sport Chrono Package. It includes a dashboard-mounted stopwatch and it allows altering various engine and chassis controls in order to improve driving performance. All 911s offer a navigation system.

Porsche Boxter

In 1998, Porsche realized that if they wanted to sell more Boxsters, they needed to produce more cars. To do so, they contracted with a plant in Finland called Valmet because the plant in Zuffenhausen couldnt handle the increased production.

The initial plan was for Boxster to be produced in Finland for only two years. Everybody thought that by that time the demand in Zuffenhausen would decrease so that plant could handle all production. But the Boxster demand remains high, and so does the one for 996, so against all expectations the plant will remain busy for the foreseeable future. Zuffenhausen can assemble 30,000 cars per year, so the only way the Boxster would be moved entirely to Finland is if Porsche could sell the better part of that many 996s. In the short term, that isnt likely to happen though. Most of the cars destined for North America are built in Valmet.

Now it became impossible to specify where a car was built. Even ordering Tourist Delivery doesn’t force a Stuttgart build. Apparently some cars are shipped from Finland to Stuttgart for Tourist Delivery.

Porsche 550 Spyder

In 1953, Porsche needed a race car more powerful than the 356. So they created the 550. This was the first true competition car from Porsche. It was lightweight, it had two seats, aluminum body, tubular frame and an open top. They were racing only with Volkswagen. The initial pair of 550 dominated their class at Le Mans finishing one-two in the 1500cc division. Then, one of the two cars won its category in the famed Pan Americana Mexican road race.

Subsequent 550`s carried on what the initial 550`s had started. They were fitted with the four-cam Carrera flat four cylinders. They soon became dominant cars world wide. During races, it was fast and easily maneuvered so no other car stand a chance. But people loved it purchasing every one of these quick little cars they could find.

In 1956, Porsche started to produce the 550A, a slightly modified Spyder. It was a hit, shocking the entire world by winning in its first Appearance in Targa Florio, a brutal road race. It also humbled well-known and more powerful rivals such as Ferrari, Maseratti and Jaguar. In the next five years it won almost all the races in which it competed. It became a car that attracted more attention for its occasional losses than for the nearly non-stop victories.

Porsche 914

Introduced in September 1969, the Porsche 914 was a sporty, mid-engined two-seater with a targa top and a 4 cylinder boxer engine. The idea for this new model came up as Volkswagen and Porsche collaborated to create a new car. VW would take 914 bodies and finish them as 914/4s, and Porsche would take their portion of the body shells, and build 914/6s. When sold in North America, however, all 914s would be considered Porsches.

Porsche 914 is not like other Porsches. It has pop-up headlamps, a vertical rear windshield, and a flat deck lid covering the rear trunk and engine. It has no backseats so when you sit down, you are practically on the floor, which is on the road.

The interior of the 914 is quite simple, not luxurious but with all necessities. Theres not too much space other than the passenger seat. The transmission is like the 928’s with 1st down and to the left. The 914 has a targa top, and like 911’s, it stores in the trunk. But if you take off the top and roll down the windows, the Porsche 914 is a pretty nice little roadster.

Porsche 64

Many consider the Porsche 64 (also known as the VW Aerocoupe, Type 64 and Type 64K10) as being the first automobile by Porsche. It was built mainly from parts from the Model 64 VW Beetle and there comes the model number. Its flat-four engine produced 50 bhp and gave a top speed of 160 km/h.

Porsche Burro designed the body after wind tunnel tests made for the Type 114, a V10 sports car that was never produced. Dr. Porsche wanted to enter the car in the 1939 Berlin-Rome race. The bodywork company Reutter built three cars in shaped aluminium. Out of the three, one was crashed in the early World War II by a Kraft durch Freude (Volkswagen) bureaucrat. The two remaining were used by the Porsche family. Later on, they put one of them in the storage and used only one. In May 1945 American troops discovered the one put in storage, cut the roof off and used it for joyriding for a few weeks until the engine gave up and it was scrapped. Pinin Farina restored the remaining Porsche 64 in 1947, as it was owned and driven by Ferry Porsche. In 1949, the Austrian racer Otto Matte bought it and won the Alpine Rally in 1950 in it.

Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. You may reprint this article, as long as the article is unedited and this author box is included with it’s live hyperlinks.

Source: ju-sport.blogspot.com

Oct 29

By: Mitchel Vedia

Ten years ago, the idea of a Porsche sport utility vehicle would have seemed absurd. And the reason is not that it lacks experience with off-road cars since their engineering have developed all-wheel-drive military vehicles. It’s more that, compared to General Motors, Toyota or Daimler-Chrysler, the automotive giants, Porsche represents a tiny fraction of the production volume. For 50 years, the company has produced quick, nimble, small sports car, or in other words, the opposite of the SUV’s. When Porsche decided to invest in an SUV and a new factory to build it, it became clear the times, as well as our taste, have changed.

And now, after creating the most anticipated new Porsche in decades, the company is proud that its SUV is what many expected it would be: technically slick and remarkably fast, with on-road handling that belies its bulk. Also, the Cayenne delivers what most SUV buyers demand, including decent cargo space, more than enough capability for casual off-road use, and impressive towing capacity.

When it comes to pricing, Cayenne is a true Porsche. A very expensive Porsche. With tax and license, a loaded Cayenne Turbo can crack the $100,000 barrier, and that alone will knock it off most shopping lists. But for the connoisseurs, the Porsche Cayenne will be truly appreciated for its performance and driving satisfaction.

Porsche Chayenne Interior

Porsche offers three versions of the four-door Cayenne: the Cayenne, The Cayenne S and the Cayenne Turbo. The standard models of the Cayenne and Cayenne S come with features such as: 18-inch alloy wheels, stability control given by the Porsche Stability Management, leather seating, power seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and a 350-watt, 15-speaker Bose audio system. Since it’s a true Porsche, Cayenne’s ignition switch is on the dash’s left side. The gauge cluster is nearly perfect but the climate and radio controls are indecipherable cluster of buttons and knobs. The good thing is that the satellite steering wheel controls are standard which means that they will be easier to find. The Turbo model comes not only with additional power but also with more technical and luxury features.

Among those we enumerate: an adaptive suspension with automatic ride height and damping adjustment (Porsche Active Suspension Management), bi-HID headlights, a CD-based navigation system, heated seats front and rear, seat memory, sonar front/rear parking assist and power adjustment for the steering wheel. But the options the Cayenne offers are meant to increase functionality and personality. These options are: four-zone climate control, bolstered sport seats, various wheel/tire upgrades and trailering preparation. With a maximum cargo capacity of 63 cubic feet, the Cayenne has slightly more capacity than the Range Rover but less than the Infiniti FX45.

Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. You may reprint this article, as long as the article is unedited and this author box is included with it’s live hyperlinks.

Source: ju-sport.blogspot.com

Oct 29

Roger Federer

BASEL, Switzerland - Roger Federer beat Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 6-4 Sunday to win the Swiss Indoors for the second straight year and clinch the No. 1 ranking for the fourth consecutive year.

Federer will become the fifth player since the inception of the ATP rankings in 1973 to be the year-end No. 1, after Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras. He is the fourth man to do it four or more years consecutively, after Connors, McEnroe and Sampras.

Federer, who had failed to win his home tournament for six straight years, has now captured a tour-high seventh title of the season.

Federer broke on a forehand error by the Finn to lead 2-0, and he closed out the first set in 27 minutes.

Nieminen, playing his first final of the year, missed a break point to lead the second set 2-0. He won two straight service games to love and had Federer under pressure in the eighth game.


 

But Nieminen served a double-fault in the next game to face a break point, and then put a forehand wide to give Federer a decisive 5-4 lead. When Nieminen’s return went long, Federer held a match point and closed it out with a backhand volley winner.

After losing the Madrid Masters final to David Nalbandian last week, Federer dropped a set in his opening match in Basel before winning the next four in straight sets. He is now 7-4 in finals this year and has 52 career titles.


Source: www.tsn.ca