SPORTS CHINA DAILY THURSDAY MARCH 1, 2007 23

TOPSHOT

Tiger and PGA team up for new Small town produces big winners tour stop WASHINGTON: Tiger Woods and the US PGA Tour have reached a long-term deal to stage a new tour Skiers from tiny event in Washington starting this July, the PGA Tour announced on Swedish resort Tuesday. The previous PGA events in the US famed for reindeer capital failed in large part because Woods almost never made an ap- have scored 124 pearance. Woods will announce details wins, with Anja of the event here next Tuesday, including prize money total and Paerson latest star host course, but his Tiger Woods Foundation will serve as the host PARIS: Rumours of Lapland reindeer organization and major charity passing on their snow manoeuvring benefi ciary. ability to Sweden’s top alpine skiers “This is a wonderful opportunity to have yet to be proven. expand awareness and interest in But when the world ski champion- the work we’re doing for millions ships ended recently, it wasn’t just the of kids across the country,” Woods indigenous Sami people of Sweden’s said. far north, who have 300 words to de- “I’m grateful the PGA Tour selected scribe snow, that were given reason us as partners and am very excited to believe in a little magic. my Foundation will host another In the wake of slalom legend In- amazing event, this time in our na- gemar Stenmark and his record 86 tion’s capital. I’m delighted to think World Cup wins Anja Paerson has of all the young people this will help in recent years put Sweden’s alpine us reach.” talents back on the map. The new event will take the But it was her record-setting dis- place of The International on plays in Are, a six-hour drive further the PGA calendar. That event south of Taernaby, that put her home folded after 21 years for lack of town back in the spotlight. a sponsor. Paerson sensationally won three world titles, including an elusive Former Cubs star Santo just downhill gold which made her the misses in Hall of Fame vote fi rst skier to champion all fi ve dis- NEW YORK: Former Chicago Cubs ciplines. third baseman Ron Santo missed Given that Taernaby’s two small ski Anja Paerson of Sweden slides on her belly to celebrate her joint victory with Spain’s Maria Jose Rienda Contreras following the women’s Alpine Ski election to the Baseball Hall of runs, served by two basic ‘T-bar’ lifts, World Cup giant slalom race in Ofterschwang, southern Germany, in this February 4, 2006 fi le photo. Reuters Fame by fi ve votes on Tuesday as are simply not designed for speed, it the Veterans Committee again was a huge achievement. won by retired Norwegian Kjetil An- slopes boast 124 wins and fi ve over- the reindeer.” Kitzbuhel in Austria. voted to add no one to the honor “Coming from Taernaby and win- dre Aamodt, considered the greatest all victories in the prestigious World Reindeer, especially in Lapland, are But Hans-Peter Carlson, the presi- shrine. ning the downhill gold is really spe- ever all-round skier. Cup series. renowned for their ability to run on dent of the town’s ski club, Taerna The committee designed to rec- cial. It shows boys and girls all over It was no surprise her home town Skiers from the rest of Sweden have ice and snow. IK Fjallvinden, is hoping their now ognize players who might have Sweden that even when you come - situated less than 100km from the 54, Italy 204, France 235, Switzerland But there are more tangible reasons famous production line won’t stop at been missed by the usual Hall from a small town you can win, and arctic circle and with a population of 478 and alpine powerhouses Austria for Taernaby’s success. the promising 21-year-old. of Fame baseball writers’ panel, fulfi l your dreams,” said the Swede, around 600 - prompted huge media 670. With snow six months of the year, “All the skiers from Taernaby are has not elected anyone since its who boasts 34 World Cup wins and interest. Paerson’s father Anders, whose the local ski club is the hub of the inspiring,” Carlson said. current method of voting began two overall crowns. Most visitors ended up mystifi ed grandmother was a Sami, admit- community. When it comes to inter- “So for the kids here there are no in 2003. Now with seven world titles, 11 after seeing two small slopes which, ted their close links to a way of life val breaks, the local schoolchildren mental barriers. They grow up think- No player received backing on 62 medals from four championships compared with those found in Aus- which revolves heavily around rein- hit the slopes. One is called ‘Ingemar- ing, ‘Ingemar and Anja made it, so ballots, the 75 percent of ballots and fi ve Olympic medals including a tria, France, Switzerland and Italy, deer-herding. backen’, the other ‘Anjabacken’. why can’t I’? needed for induction. But Santo slalom gold, Paerson is one her way look quite unremarkable. “I love that life,” he said. In time, and if the space can “Right now we have a few young was named on 57 ballots, 69.5 to becoming a legend - and she is still Except that, thanks mainly to Sten- “We’re still a part of that people. My be found, there may also be a skiers who are showing promise. percent, followed by ex-Min- only 25 years old. mark, Paerson and the latest Taernaby grandmother was a full Lappish girl, ‘Jensbacken’. Maybe in four or fi ve years time we nesota pitcher Jim Kaat on 52 She is now only four medals shy terror, Jens Byggmark - all three of and we have friends of the family who Byggmark recently stunned a will see a new star from Taernaby.” and ex-Los Angeles Dodger Gil of equalling the record 20 world whom have Sami family lineage - the are married to Sami. We like to spend handful of experienced peers to claim Hodges on 50. championship and Olympic medals skiers who grew up on Taernaby’s time with them in the mountain with two consecutive slalom victories at AFP Santo and Hodges led the prior vot- ing in 2005 with 52 votes each. Cal Ripken Jnr and Tony Gwynn, elected last month by the writers’ panel, will be inducted on July 29 at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Sharks get Guerin, Oilers lose Smyth to Islanders New York. ing left wings Ville Nieminen and Jay “Just to be given the opportunity to go gives them some balance. “Obviously going there I am going Paralympic great retires Barriball and a conditional fi rst-round and play in the playoffs and try and win A hardnosed power forward, Roberts to have a lot of responsibility and they LONDON: Tanni Grey-Thompson, TORONTO: The made draft pick the other way. a – that’s all you want.” has appeared in 114 playoff contests in have a lot of young talent and there is Britain’s most successful disabled the biggest splash on trade deadline Considered serious Cup contenders The Islanders also improved signifi - 19 seasons helping the more than one guy to target,” Laraque athlete, announced her retirement day with the capture of forward Bill before the trade deadline, the Sharks cantly with the acquisition of forward to a Stanley Cup in 1989. told sports network TSN. yesterday after a career which Guerin, while Edmonton lost ‘Captain improved an already formidable lineup Smyth, sending fi rst-round picks Rob- A three-times All Star, Roberts “I won’t be the bodyguard for one brought her 11 gold medals at the Canada’ Ryan Smyth in a shock move that includes reigning MVP Joe Thorn- ert Nilsson and Ryan O’Marra and a brings a mix of toughness and skill guy, I’m going to have to look after Paralympic Games. to the New York Islanders. ton and the NHL’s top scorer from fi rst-round selection in the 2007 draft to Pittsburgh, his 424 goals ranking pretty much the entire team. The 37-year-old wheelchair Among a fl urry of deals in the 24 last season, Jonathan Cheechoo. to the Oilers in return. him 66th on the NHL all-time list. “You look at how much talent they athlete began competing in 1988 hours ahead of the 1500 EST deadline, A three-time member of the US Ol- The Oilers tried desperately to He also sits on the League’s all-time have, you want guys to be able to and has participated at five Para- the Penguins added grit and experi- ympic team, Guerin brings a mean re-sign their captain and face of the minutes list with 2,467. fl ourish their talent to have open ice lympics, winning at distances ence by obtaining veteran forward streak, booming shot and playoff franchise, who becomes an unre- In 50 games this season Roberts and not worry about guys running ranging from 100 meters to the Gary Roberts from the Florida Pan- experience to the Sharks having stricted free agent at the end of the has 13 goals, 16 assists and 71 penalty them and taking liberties.” marathon. thers and tough guy Georges Laraque helped the New Jersey Devils to the season, but could not reach a deal to minutes. In other deals, the Buffalo Sabres ``I have always said that I would from the Phoenix Coyotes. 1995 Stanley Cup. keep Smyth, who had spent his entire Laraque, regarded by many as the shipped netminder Martin Biron to wake up one day and know that Teams completed a record-equalling The 36-year-old forward was the 12-year career in Edmonton. NHL’s top heavyweight, arrives from the the Philadelphia Flyers for a second I would not want to do it any 25 deals on Tuesday, with 44 players Blues’ leading scorer this season with The Penguins possess some of the Coyotes for forward Danny Carcillo. round draft pick while the Detroit Red more,’’ Grey-Thompson said. and 28 draft picks changing hands. 28 goals and 47 points in 61 games. game’s top young talent in Sidney While he is also an effective of- Wings picked up Todd Bertuzzi from In 2005, she received the female The Sharks underlined their Stanley “When you get moved you pray it’s Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal fensive player with fi ve goals and 17 Florida for Shawn Matthias and a pair equivalent of a knighthood from Cup credentials by landing the top to a place you want to go and San Jose and Marc-Andre Fleury, but the assists this season, Laraque knows of draft picks. Queen Elizabeth II, which allows player left on the market in All-Star was one of the places I wanted to go, capture of 40-year-old Roberts from his role with the Penguins will be to her to be called Dame Tanni. forward Guerin from St Louis, send- I’m excited,” Guerin told reporters. Florida for defenceman Noah Welch protect Crosby, Staal and Malkin. Agencies ONTV Star Sports Asia Coach orders 17:30 Soccer: The Football Quiz Australia still World Cup favorites, says Ponting Carlsberg Kickoff 1st Round 18:00 Wrestling: TNA Impact athletes to CRICKET haven’t done that.” matches after bicep surgery. 19:00 Auto Racing: Junior “But we’ve had up to six or seven of But despite far from ideal preparation, World Rally Championship SYDNEY: Australia are still favor- our top 11 players out as well, which Ponting is looking to add another chapter Highlights ‘edge of hell’ ites for the World Cup despite losing probably hasn’t been reported that to his side’s enviable one-day record after 19:30 Golf: Asian tour magazine their last fi ve one-day matches, cap- much over the last couple of weeks.” their World Cup victories in England in show Asian tour weekly 2007 JUDO tain Ricky Ponting said as the team Having looked unbeatable in the 1999 and South Africa in 2003. 20:00 Soccer: Nokia Football prepared to fl y out to the Caribbean early stages of the tri-series compe- “It doesn’t get any bigger than a Crazy TOKYO: Japan’s judo coach has told yesterday. tition in January against England and World Cup so if we can’t lift ourselves 21:00 Soccer: FA Cup 2006/07, his athletes to train to the “edge of Ponting said Australia’s 15-man New Zealand, the Australians have up and play some good cricket in this, Blackburn Rovers Vs Arsenal hell” or risk humiliation at next year’s squad, bidding for an unprecedented been hit by injuries and a dramatic we never will. Round 5 Beijing Olympics. third consecutive title in the West In- collapse in form. “I know now that we’re drifting 23:00 Tennis: Australia Open Day A trio of Japanese Olympic gold dies, were capable of victory despite They lost the tri-series fi nals 2-0 to favorites but, once the cricket gets 11 Highlights medalists suffered embarrassing de- their recent slump in form against England before they were swept aside underway, hopefully you’ll see some feats at last week’s Super World Cup England and New Zealand. 3-0 in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series cricket that’s going to mean that we ESPN China in Hamburg, provoking a backlash “I can’t see why not. I’m really by New Zealand, the Kiwis achieving the still are the favourites going in.” 17:00 Sport News from coach Hitoshi Saito. happy with the squad of players that second highest run-chase in one-day his- Australia have been drawn in 17:01 Extreme Sports: Winter X “It’s about heart above all,” Saito we’ve got,” Ponting said. tory to complete the whitewash. Group A alongside South Africa, Games Ten Classix: Snowboard- was quoted by Japanese media yes- “There’s been a bit of negativity Paceman Brett Lee was ruled out of Scotland and the Netherlands, and ing MT terday. “If they are prepared to sweat around the team over the last cou- the World Cup after damaging ankle open their campaign against the 18:00 Auto Racing: American for it they can do it. But they will ple of weeks, but I guess that’s to be ligaments in a practice fi elding ac- Scots in St. Kitts on March 14. dragster need to go to the edge of hell with expected when you’re not playing cident while key all-rounder Andrew 18:30 Soccer: GOALS! their training.” your absolute best and we certainly Symonds will miss the opening Agencies Ricky Ponting 19:00 Soccer: Tiger FC Locker Saito said that veteran athletes had Room their own way of preparing, but now 19:30 Sport News they must change their mindset. 20:00 Soccer: Nokia Football “Otherwise they won’t beat the Crazy world’s best. They need to practice Goosen bids to emulate Woods and Els in Thailand 21:00 Soccer: Tiger FC Locker until they’re bringing up bile - until GOLF nament there itself there will be good the back nine, the 194-yard 14th and lifted the trophy two years ago when Room they’re out of oxygen.” support.” 221-yard 17th, could prove pivotal if the tournament was staged at the 21:30 Soccer: GOALS! Athens Olympic champions Keiji BANGKOK: World No 8 Retief The 38-year-old South African the wind gets up. Pine Valley course in Beijing. 22:00 Sport News Suzuki, Masato Uchishiba and Tada- Goosen aims to emulate Tiger Woods shared the trophy with Dane Thomas World No 6 Els, winner in 1997 and Canadian left-hander Mike Weir, 22:30 Soccer: Italian Serie A hiro Nomura all struggled for form and Ernie Els this week by becom- Bjorn when the Tiger Skins was held 2003, bids for his third victory. the 2003 US Masters champion, 2006/07: Lazio Vs Catania in Germany, raising doubts about ing a multiple winner of the Johnnie in Phuket two years ago. The 37-year-old South African makes his debut in the event. Japan’s ability to dominate the judo Walker Classic in Thailand. The Johnnie Walker Classic, which also lost in a playoff to Woods in Britain’s Paul Casey and Thai trio CCTV 5 events in Beijing. “I have good memories of the was fi rst played in 1992, returns to 1998. The American world No 1 Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratch- 18:00 Sports News Japan collected eight gold medals course,” the 2002 champion told the spectacular Blue Canyon Country followed up his victory by winning ant and Prom Meesawat are other 19:30 World Gymnastics Champi- in the country’s traditional martial the European Tour’s offi cial website Club after a nine-year absence. again two years later when the event likely challengers for the fi rst prize onships 2006 art at the 2004 Olympics while the (www.europeantour.com). Goosen finished third the last was played at the Alpine Golf and of 310,000 euros. 21:30 Sports World country’s women won fi ve. “When we played the skins game time the tournament was staged on Sports Club. The tournament starts today. 22:06 My Olympics we had a lot of people come and watch the holiday island. Also competing this week is world 22:15 Soccer Night Agencies so I would imagine that with the tour- He said the two par-three holes on No 4 Adam Scott of Australia, who Agencies 23:50 Sports Lottery