B8 SPORT Tuesday, April 12, 2011 THE PRESS, Christchurch

IN BRIEF MOTORSPORT

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Erakovic in form ❯❯ Marina Erakovic has contin- Dixon ued her recent compelling form by winning a third suc- Vukona proves cessive Challenger tennis title in the space of six weeks in second north America. The unseeded Auckland 22-year-old capped a top week by beating third seed and Croatian world No 173 Ajla again Tomljanovic in the final of the ‘such a warrior’ US$25,000 (NZ$31,930) Inter- Scott Dixon finished second at national Tennis Federation Marc Hinton whose backs were about as far Thursday,’’ Vukona said. the Indy Grand Prix of clay court event at Jackson, up against the wall as you get ‘‘We know we’re a better Alabama in Birmingham, in Mississippi, yesterday. Ranked As inspirational moments go, after the game one 101-78 team. We didn’t finish 22-6 for the United States, yesterday. 230th in the world, Erakovic they don’t come much bigger defeat at the NSEC. nothing, and everyone has The New Zealander fin- barely broke into a sweat than Mika Vukona’s return ‘‘I didn’t think he was confidence in each other.’’ ished 3.38 seconds behind the before disposing of Tomljan- for the Breakers going to play, seeing how hard Vukona said he had trav- race winner, Australian Will ovic 6-1 6-2. After a 2010 in Perth on Sunday night. he went down, watching it on elled not knowing whether his Power, who led from start to season wrecked by injury, it is Vukona’s team-mates, on film, and then the next day knee would be up to the strain finish. Dario Franchitti was further proof that Erakovic is their return to New Zealand talking to him,’’ said late- of the game, but once he third on the 2.38-mile road nearing her best form again yesterday, were in awe of the game hero . passed his Sunday fitness test course at Barber Motorsports and followed Challenger series tough-nosed Tall Black’s ‘‘We didn’t even know if he he faced one further doubt Park. wins in Mexico last month and appearance for game two of was going to travel with us. before taking his place on the It was Dixon’s second Pelham, Alabama, last week. the Australian NBL semifinal Then at the meeting on bench. successive runner-up finish at series where he shook off a Sunday Andrej said Mika is ‘‘You don’t want to be too Barber. Pulse coach exit serious knee injury to soldier going to play. That was a selfish because BJ [Anthony] Power became the first through 21 courageous relief because of how much he was there and BJ can IndyCar driver to lead wire to ❯❯ Central Pulse coach Yvette minutes. brings. We got killed on the definitely come in and do his wire since Franchitti did it at McCausland-Durie will not It was no coincidence that boards in the first game.’’ part. They’d prepared without Sonoma, California, in 2009. seek to extend her three-year the Breakers were able to dig Braswell, who made two me, and I didn’t know He has dominated in contract with the struggling deep and come up with a 93-89 step-back three-pointers to whether it was the right thing practice and qualifying trans-Tasman league victory to force a game-three seal the victory, said he was in coming in.’’ But the looks on rounds in the past two years franchise when it expires at decider in Auckland awe of Vukona’s ability to be his team-mates’ faces at at Barber, and said how badly the end of this season. Mc- tomorrow night. so effective on just one good Sunday’s pre-game meeting he wanted to win after a pit Causland-Durie has children ‘‘That was incredibly pin. told him he was very much strategy backfired and cost aged eight and 10 and said inspiring,’’ said , ‘‘That is amazing, and all needed. him the lead last year , and spending more time with them who poured in a game and the other things he does as ‘‘As a player you live for perhaps the IndyCar points was a key part of her decision. season-high 38 points to lead well like chasing down loose moments like those where as championship. She commutes from Manawatu his team to victory. balls. When you see that a team you can step up IndyCar’s second race to each week to ‘‘We heard the news [he knowing how much pain he’s together,’’ Vukona said. ‘‘I since moving to the double- coach the team, which has per- could play] three hours before in, you have to do it yourself.’’ thought for the first time this file restart helped produce formed poorly since the outset tipoff at our 10 o’clock Vukona yesterday season we defended well for plenty of thrills, along with of the league four seasons meeting. We were all in shrugged off the heroic nature four quarters. That’s given us six full-course cautions. Six ago, although they have won disbelief because we thought of his efforts, saying he was a lot of confidence.’’ And is he drivers were knocked out of two matches this season for it was a two to three-week just looking to play his part in ready to go again tomorrow the race by contact, including the first time. Last night’s injury. keeping the Breakers’ season night? Ryan Briscoe, who started in 61-44 loss to the Queensland ‘‘He is such a warrior, an alive. ‘‘The knee’s good,’’ grinned second place. Firebirds in Porirua was unbelievable guy.’’ ‘‘Everything we’ve worked the unbreakable Breaker. ‘‘It All the trouble remained McCausland-Durie’s last home Penney is right. That so hard for this year was on always feels good after a win, safely behind his team-mate, match as coach. The Pulse are Vukona even played was a the line, and we didn’t want to it doesn’t matter what kind of Hard man: Breakers forward Mika Vukona, pictured shooting during his side’s loss in the first NBL semifinal Power, and so did the other eighth of 10 teams this season massive lift to his team-mates, go out the way we did on injury you have.’’ against the Wildcats on Thursday, overcame injury to inspire a win in the second game. Photo: BEN WATSON drivers. with two wins and eight ‘‘It was one of the most losses. relaxing races I’ve ever had,’’ Power said. ‘‘I was just really Messam re-signs FOOTBALL cruising.’’ Power’s Penske team-mate, ❯❯ All Blacks forward Liam Briscoe, ran into trouble for Messam has re-signed with the the second straight race. New Zealand Ryan Hunter-Reay (NZRU) and Chiefs Super 15 The Gunners close their range on league leaders bounced off a curb trying to franchise, and will play his pass underneath and sent rugby in New Zealand at least Arsenal resisted a second-half emergency stand-in for Although they had other counter-attacking goal after 76 kickoff after Almunia injured ❏ In the day’s other match Briscoe spinning into the until the end of 2013. Messam, fightback from struggling Manuel Almunia, were 2-0 up chances, including a strong minutes when Cesc Fabregas his knee in the warmup. Aston Villa ended their recent gravel on lap 57. 27, has played six tests for the Blackpool to win 3-1 at after 21 minutes thanks to appeal for a penalty when and Theo Walcott combined The result lifted Arsenal to run of poor form with a first Hunter-Reay was penalised All Blacks, captained the New Bloomfield Road yesterday well-worked goals from Abou Laurent Koscielny appeared on the break before Walcott 62 points – seven behind win in four matches. for avoidable contact, drop- Zealand Maori, Chiefs and Wai- and close the gap on Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue. to bring down Taylor- crossed for Robin Van Persie United with a game in hand. They beat Newcastle ping from fifth to 18th, but kato teams, and has won two Manchester United at the top Blackpool replied after 52 Fletcher, the seaside to score in front of goal. Blackpool remained a United 1-0 thanks to a first Briscoe was not sympathetic. gold of the Premier League to minutes when Gary Taylor- strugglers failed to find the Lehmann, who left Arsenal point and a place above the half header from James ‘‘He’s sticking his nose into medals with the New Zealand seven points. Fletcher scored after referee equaliser which could have three years ago and returned relegation zone. Collins at Villa Park. where it doesn’t belong,’’ sevens team. He joins a group Arsenal, who fielded Lee Mason waved play on eased their increasing rel- after coming out of retirement But after a bright start to The win saw Villa climb Briscoe said. ‘‘It’s not a of 2010 All Blacks who have 41-year-old German Jens despite Lehmann bringing egation worries. last month to help solve a the season they have now lost from 16th to 14th while passing zone.’’ But he was not recommitted to New Zealand Lehmann in goal for the first down DJ Campbell in the Instead, Arsenal wrapped goalkeeper crisis, was called 11 of their last 15 league Newcastle remain ninth. complaining about the rugby beyond this year. Agencies time in three years as an penalty area. up the victory with a superb into the game just before games. Reuters restarts. NZPA

CYCLING YACHTING Late break puts Belgian NZ yacht Tell your business story with set to go an advertising feature... in rider’s seat in France Team New Zealand’s around- the-world race yacht is due to Whether you’re trading through or still on the road to recovery, let Belgian Johan van Summeren behind in sixth place, with 10-strong group formed a be launched this week ahead won the Paris-Roubaix cyc- Hushovd 47 seconds down in breakaway. About 80km from of sea trials that will take it our writers and photographers tell your unique story to the 228,000* ling classic for the first time eighth spot. the end, Boonen stood help- down the country’s east coast. yesterday after breaking The race, famed for its lessly on the roadside because The yacht, named Camper people who turn to The Press every day. away in the final stages. treacherous cobblestone sec- of a puncture. after the Spanish footwear Two-time winner Fabian tions, saw several spectacular It was repaired but he lost company with which Team Cancellara, of Switzerland, crashes. Boonen recovered significant time. NZ is mounting the Volvo was second, despite a power- from a fall and a puncture. Boonen’s luck got worse Ocean Race campaign, left the ful late charge, while British rider Bradley when he was one of several yard at builder Cooksons SSPECIALPECIAL Dutchman Maarten Tjallingii Wiggins forged an early riders to crash on the cobbles Boats in Auckland yesterday was third. breakaway, where he was after a Rabobank rider morning. Van Summeren completed joined by Italians Marco tumbled sideways and It was trucked across town the 258-kilometre trek in six Bandiera and Mirko Selvaggi. brought others down. to the syndicate’s base. AAUTUMNUTUMN hours, seven minutes, 28 Wiggins was trying to gain There were further spills, Team NZ said the 70-foot seconds. Cancellara and Tjal- early ground in order to help with Frenchman Sylvain (23.3m) Volvo Open 70-class lingii were 19 seconds back. Sky team-mate Juan Antonio Chavanel sliding along the yacht would be sailing on PPRICINGRICING ‘‘Once I got up in the front Flecha, of Spain. roadside with about 60km Waitemata Harbour by the group, I felt I could win,’’ van However, Flecha, who was remaining. He got back up end of the week. Summeren said. third last year, finished ninth. and onto his saddle. It would leave Auckland on ‘‘I had really good legs. It’s Three riders joined the Another crash on the April 25 for Tauranga and wonderful,’’ he said. front three to form a six-man cobbles saw ’s Filippo would also call in at the ports With defending champion breakaway which led by 35 Pozzato, the 2009 runner-up, of Gisborne, Wellington, % Cancellara, three-time cham- seconds after 50km. and Slovakia’s Dunedin and Lyttelton. pion , last year’s They were caught before among those who fell. The race begins off OOFFFF runner-up, , the first cobblestone section. Van Summeren took Alicante, Spain, in late Octo- 3355 and Alessandro Ballan wear- However, Russian Vlad- advantage of his rivals’ ber and finishes off Galway in HalfHaHHalf&Fllpagesaailablelfl & FullF ll pappagesages aavailableailable ing themselves out to catch imir Gusev and Frenchman fatigue, with Cancellara at Ireland in July, 2012. the front group, Van Sum- Renaud Dion crashed before one stage complaining to Among the stops is Auck- meren tried his luck and they even reached the Ballan and Hushovd for not land, where the fleet will broke away with 13km left. cobblestones. After the first working hard enough to bring spend three weeks over Ballan finished 36 seconds cobblestone section, a back the front group. AP March and April. NZPA

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