MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2014 SPORTS New York, New Jersey ready for Super Bowl

NEW YORK: Some 80,000 football fans moderately exorbitant amount of money,” because of the broad metropolitan area that Broncos both stayed in Jersey City, across region for the game and related events from around the world are set to pack into said Julia Lunetta, a 33-year-old tech worker we’re in,” said Roger Goodell, commissioner the Hudson River from Manhattan, and fans geared up for kickoff, some New Yorkers New Jersey’s Met Life Stadium late yester- from Dobbs Ferry, New York, who plans to of the National Football League. “It’s more could be seen roaming near the hotels the were looking forward to seeing the crowds day for the first NFL Super Bowl champi- attend the Denver Broncos-Seattle complex being in a larger area where you’re teams had taken over, trying to catch a thin out on Monday. onship played in the New York area, an Seahawks matchup with friends from work. crossing over states and different jurisdic- glimpse of the players. At a United Parcel Service Inc store on event that has shone a fresh spotlight on The game’s location, at Met Life Stadium tions, but everyone has been fantastic.” Troy Maragos, a 29-year-old pastor from Broadway that faced the Super Bowl the region. in East Rutherford, New Jersey, some 10 Despite earlier expectations for bitter Chicago, opted to spend a few nights in that Boulevard street fair, Mello Smith com- The weather forecast is mild, rather than miles (16 km) west of New York City, has cold and possible snow at the 48th Super city of 254,441 people ahead of the game. plained that the crowds slowed things the below-freezing conditions that had posed logistical challenges for organizers, Bowl, Sunday brought mild temperatures, “I’m impressed by how clean everything down. been feared for the first outdoor cold- with events in the week leading up to the with a forecast high of 48 degrees is,” Maragos said as he boarded a train. “The “This is hard for the customers, too,” weather Super Bowl, and police have so far 6:25 p.m. ET (2300 GMT) kickoff spread Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius), with lows subway system is great, it’s been nice that it’s Smith said. “They are complaining. They faced just one highly visible threat, a Friday among New York City, Jersey City and expected to drop to just about freezing. The so easy to get back and forth from New want their deliveries or they want to drop hoax in which suspicious but harmless Newark, New Jersey. Late yesterday, police National Weather Service warned there was York.” off, and it’s a hassle.” Likewise, Dustin powder was sent to hotels around the would be out in force, inspecting fans even a chance of rain. Online ticket resellers Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said hav- Drankoski, a 27-year-old a photo editor, said region. as they board the trains and buses that are showed seats starting at about $1,600 and ing both teams stay had been a boost for the added crowds in an already congested For fans from the New York area, the expected to carry about 30,000 people to rising above $2,000, up from opening prices local businesses. “From an economic point area of Manhattan had made his commute game presents a rare opportunity to see a the stadium. of about $1,300 a week earlier. of view, we won’t have the full sense of it to his office near Times Square even more Super Bowl without traveling to Florida, Officials from more than 100 state and until sometime after the Super Bowl, but the difficult. California or other warm-weather locations federal law enforcement agencies, including BOOST FOR NEW JERSEY restaurants are more full than usual, there “The real annoyance is all the tourists that often host what is typically the most- the Department of Homeland Security and While much of the focus has been on are fans visiting here,” Fulop said. “It’s going and the lines of people,” Drankoski said. watched sporting event in the United Federal Bureau of Investigation, are monitor- New York, where a 3/4-mile (1.2 km) stretch to be a benefit to New York, it’s going to be a “There are lines of people in the subway sta- States. ing the region from a command center of taken over by a four-day street fair where benefit to New Jersey, it’s going to benefit tion waiting to go through the stalls and “I normally watch the game on TV and located at an undisclosed site near the stadi- fans could try to kick a field goal, get a play- the whole region.” they don’t know how to use their get wings and whatever, but the combina- um. er’s autograph or ride a 60-foot-high (18- MetroCards, so you just have to wait,” he tion of the location and the fact that one of “There’s been a lot of planning for a lot of meter-high) toboggan slide, the game has READY FOR IT TO BE OVER said. “The people who are really impacted my coworkers could get the tickets at face months and even years in making this Super also been a boost to New Jersey. Even as the estimated 400,000 people are the drivers. There’s no way to get around value, meant we could go and pay only a Bowl successful, and that’s in large part The Seattle Seahawks and Denver who are believed to have traveled into the this area.” —Reuters Manning wins fifth NFL MVP award, Super Bowl beckons

NEW YORK: Peyton Manning claimed a fifth Brown have captured the award three occasions. would take to recover from his surgery and National Football League most valuable player Manning was not on hand to accept the adjust to a new team. award on Saturday but the Denver Broncos award at New York’s Radio City Music Hall leav- But after just two years in Denver, Manning quarterback will need another Super Bowl ring ing that duty to his son Marshall and father has the Broncos back in the Super Bowl for the to cement his place among the all-time greats. Archie, a former New Orleans Saints quarter- first time in 15 years. With Manning at the con- Manning, who will lead the Broncos against back, though he did send a pre-recorded mes- trols of Denver’s powerhouse offense, the the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on sage. Broncos scored a record 606 points, 161 ahead Sunday, was the clear favourite in the MVP race “This is a very special award,” Manning said in the next best team. There is no disputing Manning’s Hall of Fame credentials but with just one Super Bowl ring, where he ranks among the sport’s best has been a subject of fierce debate. When it comes to Super Bowl wins, Peyton is not even the best quarterback in the Manning family with younger brother Eli hav- ing guided the New York Giants to two titles. The Broncos were tipped as Super Bowl ST. MORITZ: Ted Ligety of the Unites States celebrates in the finish area after favorites from the start of season and Manning winning an alpine ski men’s World Cup . —AP has been under mounting pressure to prove that he can also get the job done when it counts most and turn his record-setting cam- Ligety wins WCup giant slalom paign into a Super Bowl title. With a win over the Seahawks late yester- ST. MORITZ: Ted Ligety of the United Hirscher getting the next two. day, Manning would become the first quarter- States put together two nearly flawless of Germany, winner of back to win the Super Bowl as starter for two runs in difficult conditions to win a World the previous giant slalom race, skipped the different teams. Cup giant slalom late yesterday, the last event to rest a painful back before the The fifth MVP award along with a second men’s race before the Olympics. Olympics. Super Bowl ring would cement Manning’s cre- Ligety, a two-time world champion in Hirscher still retained his lead in the dentials as one of the top two-or-three quar- the event, overcame poor visibility to finish giant slalom standings. Overall World Cup terbacks of all-time and certainly would not a massive 1.51 seconds faster than Marcel leader Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway fell in hurt the likeable quarterback’s incredible pop- Hirscher of in the combined time. the second heat. ularity. “It’s so tough when you can’t see any- Bode Miller of the United States hit a rut Already the NFL’s most marketable player, thing ... I’m glad I was able to make it to the and crashed out about halfway into the Manning pulls in an estimated $12 million a finish line,” said Ligety, who posted the first run. Miller won the giant slalom title at year in endorsements, ranking 21st overall fastest time in both runs. the 2003 World Championships, the last across all sports according to Forbes. The convincing win boosted Ligety’s time men raced in St. Moritz. Other big winners were the Carolina Olympic hopes. “It’s nice to get in another The 36-year-old American said he was Panthers, with Ron Rivera taking coach of the good race and I hope I can carry that confi- ready for his fifth Olympics, despite yester- NEW JERSEY: Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning talks with reporters dur- year honours after guiding his team back to ing a news conference. —AP dence over the next two weeks,” Ligety day’s mishap. “My skiing is generally pretty the post-season while linebacker Luke Kuechly said. solid now,” Miller said. “There were already after he set single season marks for touchdown the message. “I am extremely honored to have it was voted defensive player of the year. Hirscher jumped from third to second, big holes in some places when I went down passes (55) and yards (5,477). Manning, who had presented by Joe Montana and Aaron Rodgers. New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon while of France fell from and you can’t see where they are and the neck surgery in 2011 and missed the entire sea- “I am humbled by this recognition and grate- Richardson was voted defensive rookie of year second to third after both heats to finish coaches can’t tell you where they are. The son before being released by Indianapolis and ful to my family, Pat Bowlen, John Elway, John while Green Bay Packers running back Eddie 1.69 seconds behind Ligety. guys making it down were skiing very con- signed by Denver in 2012, also won the award in Fox and the entire Denver Bronco organisation, Lacy grabbed offensive rookie honors. San As fog shrouded the middle section of servatively, trying not to crash and not to 2009, 2008, 2004 and shared it with Steve and of course, my coaches and my teammates.” Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was the course, Ligety raced to his 21st career make mistakes. Ted is the only one really McNair in 2003. named comeback player of the year while victory and his third in a giant slalom this who skied normally. “I didn’t want to be 2.5 No one other than Manning had won MVP SURGERY RECOVERY Chicago Bears defensive back Charles Tillman season. He also has a victory in a super seconds behind and so tried to ski normal- honours four-times and only quarterbacks After 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, accepted the Walter Payton man of the year combined this year. Ligety won the first ly. But I had big problems from the start,” Johnny Unitas, Brett Favre and running back Jim not even Manning was certain how long it award. —Reuters two giant slaloms of the season, with Miller said. —AP Ireland ease past Scotland Six Nations championship DUBLIN: Ireland comfortably won their opening Six kickoff, said in a pitchside interview. Sexton quickly restored the three-point advan- Nations championship match at the Aviva Stadium “It was tough losing Paulie this morning, he’s an tage but Scotland, despite lacking any sort of cutting yesterday, taking their time to get going before beat- unbelievable leader but we’ve got some great lead- edge with ball in hand, continued to wrestle back the ing Scotland 28-6 as they look to put last year’s poor ers in the team and we played with a lot of passion initiative, frustrating the home side until just before campaign firmly behind them. today.” the break when Sexton provided the spark Ireland Ireland, who last season endured their worst Six Having watched their side come within 30 sec- needed. Nations in 14 years, showed signs of the rugby that onds of toppling the world champions last time out, brought them come so close to beating New the home crowd were hoping for more of the same FANTASTIC BREAK Zealand in November with tries from Rob Kearney, but witnessed a disappointingly flat performance for The Racing Metro flyhalf made a fantastic break Andrew Trimble and Jamie Heaslip easing them much of the first half. from inside his own half, weaving past the Scottish home. After weathering early Scottish pressure and a defence before finding Heaslip with a pinpoint long “We learned a lot in the November series and if missed penalty from Greig Laidlaw, Ireland took the pass to put the big number eight into a footrace for SLOVENIA: of celebrates on the podium after win- we can make this place a bit of a fortress, we can go lead on 14 minutes through a Johnny Sexton penalty the corner. Heaslip was correctly adjudged to have ning an women’s Slalom in Kranjska Gora. —AP places,” Heaslip, who took over as captain after illness before Laidlaw knocked over his second kick at goal put a foot in touch before placing the ball but Ireland ruled Paul O’Connell out of the game shortly before to level the scores. stole a lineout and had their try a minute later Hansdotter grabs slalom win through Trimble. For the Ulster winger, who has been in and out of SLOVENIA: Frida Hansdotter’s wait for her before the Olympics was already gone the national team for years, his 13th international try first World Cup victory after eight second before her final run as both Hansdotter and was a particularly sweet one, having been over- places finally ended yesterday, in good had secured podium spots looked during last year’s championship due to time for the Sochi Olympics. by then. Shiffrin saw her 144-point lead Ireland’s strength in the position. The 28-year-old Hansdotter won on a over Hansdotter in the slalom standings Joe Schmidt’s side refused to let an early second- soft course in heavy snow after American reduced to 80 points, 438 to 358. Marlies half penalty from Laidlaw kill their momentum and teen failed to hold on to Schild is third with 325 points. they had a second try minutes later when their for- her opening-run lead. The event was moved from Maribor wards rumbled over from a lineout to give Heaslip Hansdotter, who trailed Shiffrin by 0.31 because of a lack of snow there, but the his score. Sexton added the conversion and tagged seconds going into the final run, finished in Podkoren course in Kranjska Gora had been on another penalty after more relentless pressure an overall time of 1 minute, 50.17 seconds. softened by days of rain and snowfall. The from the home side, for whom record try scorer Brian Shiffrin dropped to seventh after getting unfavorable weather conditions forced O’Driscoll became the country’s most-capped player stuck in a rut early in her final run. organizers to cancel a GS on the same with his 129th cap. “Most of the time I’ve finished just course Saturday. Scotland, who beat Ireland last year but have not behind Mikaela Shiffrin, she is just so good. “To ski that good when conditions are won their opening match since 2006, had no answer But I knew that some day, it would be my so hard is great,” Hansdotter said. “Normally and Ireland fullback Kearney, with equal parts power day,” Hansdotter said. “Now I am looking I am not at my best on soft snow. On a and finesse, marked his 50th appearance with the forward to the Olympics. I want to leave course like this, you can only just go for it.” game’s third try 10 minutes from time. Sochi with a medal around my neck.” Marlies Schild, a four-time World Cup Schmidt emptied the bench, giving prop Martin Austrian sisters Marlies and Bernadette slalom champion, called it a “run in hell.” “It Moore a debut, but there was no let-up, an indica- Schild were second and third, coming 0.05 made me nervous,” the Austrian said. “The tion that Ireland may be starting to put together the and 0.15 behind respectively. The last racer next race is at the Olympics, I am now really kind of depth to put them in contention for a first on the visibly deteriorating course, Shiffrin fired up for that.” championship since 2009. Ireland next meet holders caught a hole in the snow early in the run Shiffrin overcame the tough conditions Wales, who eased past Italy, in Dublin on Saturday, and was thrown forward. She recovered earlier to post the fastest first-run time. The while Scotland host England, who went down 26-24 but, having lost her pace, ended up 0.72 18-year-old slalom world champion was DUBLIN: Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton (centre) is tackled by Scotland’s Richie Gray dur- to France in their opening fixture. Italy travel to behind Hansdotter. Shiffrin’s chance to chasing her third straight win and fourth of ing their Six Nations Rugby Union international match. —AP France late yesterday. —Reuters retain her World Cup season title even the season. —AP