SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016 SPORTS

F1 rulers leave global audience confused and fed up

HOCKENHEIM: Formula One’s rule-mak- end at the German Grand Prix, automati- around corners to gain speed. who went over the white lines as if noth- give up. They can tell us what they need ers took another U-turn yesterday when cally engage a red flag and stop the Whiting, however, ruled that idea out. ing was agreed. So we went to see to in every race. “We know things they agreed a compromise on track lim- action. Radio communications, which He said it would create chaos and decid- Bernie.” The outcome was Whiting’s note change from race to race and now we its at the first corner of the Hockenheim had been severely restricted and result- ed instead to enforce limits at Turn One on Saturday which said the electronic are back to the rules we had about a year circuit. ed in penalties for leading drivers, were with an electronic sensor and penalties sensor at Turn One would be moved fur- ago, more or less. In the process, they left a global audi- relaxed this week following a meeting of for those who contravened the limit ther away from the track, permitting “I think it was at Spa, last year, that ence of fans, many seasoned paddock the F1 Strategy Group. three times. Teams and drivers protested drivers to full the use of the kerbs. they got tough in terms of the radio and observers, team staff and drivers con- And on Saturday morning, in another at this and raised objections with the Though the latest change was wel- so on... Now, nothing has changed - or it fused and puzzled. It was just one more twist, the saga of track limits was the sport’s supremo Bernie Ecclestone while comed, it came too late to prevent many is worse, we are going back. “It is the in a series of rule changes made almost focus of renewed attention when race there were also several heated discus- drivers bemoaning their situation and same with the track limits. There were daily in the last week in a season of director Charlie Whiting sent a note to sions on this, and other issues, during a television commentators sympathising track limits last week, then this morning upheaval that began with uproar over a the teams advising of a compromise drivers’ meeting late on Friday. “We dis- with fans increasingly fed up with the there weren’t any, but then there were controversial new qualifying format arrangement that over-ruled new rule cussed this at the Strategy Group meet- over-regulated sport. Two-time world three strikes again - and now...” introduced at the season-opening changes introduced only 24 hours earli- ing, so that we could have a ‘wild’ week- champion Fernando Alonso said he felt a His feelings were widely shared. Australian Grand Prix. Last weekend’s er. On Thursday, the Strategy Group had end here because this track has ade- sense of utter despair at the constant “When I go out during qualifying, I think I Hungarian Grand Prix saw a stewards voted to abolish track limits for the quate run-off areas,” said Ferrari team rule changes. will ask what I have to do and what are investigation into the meaning of waved German Grand Prix to permit a more principal Maurizio Arrivabene. Asked to comment, on his 35th birth- the rules so I don’t have to waste any double yellow flags which will, this week- spectacular race with cars running wide “But instead, they recorded everyone day on Friday, Alonso said: “I don’t care... I more time thinking about it now.” —AFP

Vargas eager to promote fight with Pacquiao

LOS ANGELES: There are no shortage of moter Bob Arum. Arum tweeted Friday suitors for , but Mexican- night that he is also talking to a group that American boxer Jessie Vargas thinks he has wants to stage Pacquiao’s next fight in the the inside track when it comes to enticing Middle East. “Meeting on Sunday with the Filipino superstar back into the ring. “I people anxious to put on a am the WBO welterweight champion and @MannyPacquiaoTR fight in the Middle he wants to return to fight for this belt. So I East,” Arum wrote. Vargas won the vacant am happy to give him a title shot,” Vargas WBO welterweight title with a ninth round told AFP during the Nevada Boxing Hall of TKO of Sadam Ali in March. “Manny has Fame function on Friday. never faced someone like me. I’m at my Vargas (27-1-0) said Friday he is in talks best, I have several advantages. I’m taller with Pacquiao’s camp to hold a fight on and faster than him. I’m really smart fight- November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center er too,” Vargas said. arena in Las Vegas. “The fight is still under “I not only want to face him but I want negotiation and I can say that soon we will to beat him. Juan Manuel Marquez did it announce it, although I do not want to and I want to beat him too, mainly advance because in boxing everything because at his best he was someone who can change every minute,” Vargas said. gave many headaches to Mexico fighters,” Undefeated Terence Crawford has also he said. Record eight division champion been named as potential opponent for Pacquiao announced his retirement from Pacquiao, who is likely to return to the boxing in April after his unanimous deci- ring later this year according to his pro- sion victory over Timothy Bradley. — AFP Stevenson defends title with fourth round KO

MONTREAL: ’s Adonis Stevenson months ago of journeyman fighter Tommy made his seventh successful title defense Karpency in . The 38-year-old by knocking out Thomas Williams at 2:54 of Stevenson went on the attack in the fourth, the fourth round to retain his WBC light landing a barrage of body shots which took BRIDGEPORT: United States’ Maya Moore, left, and Tamika Catchings, right, pressure Canada’s Miah-Marie Langlois, center, during the first half heavyweight belt on Friday night. their toll on Williams. With the challenger of an exhibition basketball game, Friday, in Bridgeport, Conn. — AP Stevenson improved to 28-1, with 23 slowed and unable to put up a proper as he almost ended the south- defense, Stevenson landed a vicious left to paw slugfest in opening round at the the head that put Williams down for good. Videotron Centre in City. With It was Stevenson’s seventh title defense Taurasi, 4 former UConn stars about 30 seconds left in the first round, of the crown he took from US fighter Chad Stevenson slammed a hard left into the Dawson by in June 2013. side of Williams’ head, sending the Stevenson is on a 15-fight win streak help overwhelm Canada 83-43 American to the canvas. But Williams was since suffering his lone loss to Darnell able to get up and beat referee Michael Boone in 2010, a defeat he avenged by Griffin’s count. “He wanted to put on some knocking out the American in 2013. In all, BRIDGEPORT: Just after the United States rout- Taurasi for a layup. Canada finished fifth in the scoreless in 25 minutes, missing all three of her pressure, so I put some on as well,” said Stevenson has 13 knockouts in his past 15 ed Canada by 40 points, Geno Auriemma and his world championship in 2014 and will look to shots. This was Nurse’s second game back for Stevenson. “Two men who know how to bouts. Stevenson, who hasn’t fought out- UConn greats posed for a group photo on the improve on that in Rio. The Canadians have nev- Canada. She had sports hernia surgery after fight. We gave a good show, and that’s side Canada since 2011, holds the lone belt court. The five former UConn players, who er won a medal at the Olympics in women’s bas- helping UConn win a fourth consecutive nation- what people want to see.” in the division not owned by Russian fight- helped the Huskies win 10 of their 11 national ketball and hope to change that with a nice mix al championship in April. “I can’t say how Stevenson was fighting for the first time er . Williams’ record championships, received one last rousing ova- of veterans and youth. One of those talented impressed and pleased we are that she’s come since scoring a third-round knockout 10 dropped to 20-2 with 14 knockouts. — AFP tion from the crowd. A fitting send off for the young players is Kia Nurse, who is a junior at back as well as she has,” Canada coach Lisa team from their adoring Connecticut fans. UConn. Nurse help lead Canada to the gold Thomaidis said. “She’s such a competitor, so Auriemma gave those same fans an opportu- medal at the Pan-Am Games last summer. She tough, nothing surprises us anymore with her.” nity to cheer their former stars early on, starting got a nice hand from the crowd in pregame Canada will play France in the opener at the all five. It was virtually the same starting lineup introductions, but had a rough game. She was Garden today. —AP he used in a win over France on Wednesday. The only change was putting Breanna Stewart into the group instead of Elena Delle Donne. The Hall of Fame coach said it was the right Radford determined to end thing to do. “I hadn’t had the same starting five in any games we played,” he said after the 83-43 Hull’s Wembley hoodoo victory Friday night. “I thought to myself, I asked Cheryl (Reeve), if you were head coach instead LONDON: Hull FC coach Lee Radford said his second semi-final, at Wembley on August 27. of me, you’d do it, because it’s the right thing to side were desperate to emerge as Wembley He said: “You get a little bit older and you do. She said OK. I’m not going to worry about it winners after coming from behind to beat think that this opportunity is not going to and did it. It was fun for the kids and the fans.” Wigan 16-12 in a semi-final. come, but we’ve been outstanding all year The players really didn’t notice it until the The Black and Whites trailed at the inter- and I thought we were outstanding again opening tip. “When you look at it, you have a val to George Williams’s try, despite having tonight. “If I’m being slightly critical we prob- good piece of history out there with Sue (Bird) the best of possession and territory, but hit ably weren’t clinical enough in that first half and Diana (Taurasi) representing the early suc- back through former NRL stars Steven but the effort that the boys showed, particu- cess and then Stewie on the other end,” said Michaels and Fetuli Talanoa after the break. larly in defence on our own try-line, was Maya Moore, who helped the Huskies win two Two Marc Sneyd penalties in either half were unbelievable. titles. “It was really cool and really cool for the also ultimately vital for Hull in Friday’s victory “It was a great game. It would be some- fans.” The US will aim for an unprecedented sixth at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium. Now, thing special to see my old club (Wakefield) consecutive gold at the Olympics. The after booking a third trip to Wembley in the make the final as well, but I’m really happy Americans have one more exhibition game last eight years, Radford is determined to about tonight.” Defeat meant Wigan were left today at Madison Square Garden against mastermind the club’s first win at the iconic waiting for a 20th Challenge Cup crown and Australia, which beat France 76-67 on Friday London stadium. “I’m really pleased obvious- they must now turn their attentions to the night. Taurasi, Bird, Moore, Stewart and Tina ly as there was not a great deal between the Super 8s, where they face Castleford next Charles struggled a bit offensively when they two sides, I said that before we started, but it week in one of a series of matches that will were in, but defensively they shut down Canada. came down to who wanted it the most,” he determine this season’s cham- After struggling in their first two exhibition said. “I felt we just had that little bit extra. At pions. Wigan coach Shaun Wane said his side games in the first half, the Americans jumped all half-time we spoke about that special play were inconsolable after their semi-final loss. over their neighbors to the north. because there was nothing really in-between “They (Hull) were absolutely the best team, The US only had a three-point lead on the the two teams. “Somebody had to come up but I am very proud of our efforts as well,” he select team in their pre-Olympic tour opener with it and it was really important that we said. “To be honest we gave ourselves too Monday and led France by one Wednesday at found it. “I want to right that wrong at much to do. We turned the ball over a lot on the half. The Americans wouldn’t let that happen Wembley, and get that record fixed up, I real- play one or two again, but the desire my QUEBEC: Adonis Stevenson, left, of Canada, hits Thomas Williams Jr. during a WBC against Canada. ly do. It will put an end to the ‘You’ll never team showed was excellent and it will help us title boxing bout Friday, in . — AP The Canadians missed 13 of their first 14 win at Wembley’ song that’s for sure.” further on in the year. “But this is very tough shots and couldn’t recover from the slow start, Meanwhile, an emotional Hull skipper to take, and the players are as devastated as trailing by 13 after one quarter and 24 at the praised his team-mates’ gritty I’ve ever seen them, because I thought they half. “I thought defensively we were about as performance, and revealed he is hoping for a were there for the taking. “We did so much good as we can be given the short amount of showdown with former club Wakefield defending that when we did get the ball our Argentina Olympic team work that we’ve done,” Auriemma said. “That Trinity, who face Warrington in Saturday’s attack wasn’t crisp.” —AFP robbed at Mexico hotel kind of led to a bunch of other things.” FAVORITES Taurasi scored 14 points, and Delle Donne PUEBLA: Argentina’s Olympic football team ment late Friday that an agreement was added 12 to lead the US Auriemma had always complained Friday that cash and electronics finally reached between the AFA, the seemed to shy away from playing all his UConn were stolen from its players’ hotel rooms Camino Real hotel and an insurance firm to players at the same time during the 2012 while they were playing a friendly in Mexico. compensate the Argentine delegation. London Olympics and the last two world cham- Argentina Football Association (AFA) vice Tapia said earlier that the team had given pionships. He rarely had five UConn players on president Claudio Tapia said the theft took several statements to the authorities and the court in either of those major champi- place when Mexico and the South American complained of a “total lack of respect” in onships. But just as he did starting Delle Donne team played to a 0-0 draw in the central city the way the issue was handled. in Delaware on Wednesday, he gave the fans one of Puebla on Thursday night. He had warned that the delegation more opportunity to cheer the local favorites. It was the last preparation game before would not leave the hotel until it received The loud crowd gave the former Huskies a great both countries compete in the Olympics in guarantees that it would be compensated. ovation in pregame introductions and then Rio de Janeiro, which start next Friday. “You know what’s the strangest thing? It’s cheered every one of their plays. “When we returned at 11:40 pm and went that they have verified and know who is “When we get to Rio, the best five players for up to the rooms, we realized that they had the thief from the (security) cameras, so that situation will be on the floor regardless of been robbed,” Tapia said, without specify- they are protecting the thief,” he said where they come from,” Auriemma said. The ing how much money was taken. The before the Mexican football federation offensive highlight of the first half came from Hull FC coach Lee Radford Mexican Football Federation said in a state- announced the agreement. —AFP Delle Donne, who threw a nifty no-look pass to