Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013 Vonn returns to downhill training COPPER MOUNTAIN: Lindsey Vonn eased into her first day of downhill training on Wednesday, with the four-time overall World Cup champion holding back on her opening run just to get used to that kind of speed again. By her fifth and final pass at the US Ski Team’s speed center on Wednesday, Vonn was charging so hard through the two- mile course that she bent over in exhaustion soon after finish- ing, trying to catch her breath. More and more, Vonn is feeling like her old self again as her surgically repaired right knee gets stronger. The knee felt “really good,” Vonn said as she scram- bled for the warmth of the lodge following the bitterly cold workout session. The goal now?” Get faster,” she said. “I need more miles.” Vonn, who’s preparing to defend her downhill title at the Sochi Olympics in three months, added: “I feel fresh and train- ing hard. Everything is perfect.” The 29-year-old Vonn shred- ded her anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in a crash at the world championships in Schladming last February, but has progressed much faster than anticipated. She even thought about competing at the season-opening race in Soelden, Austria, on Oct. 26, only to skip it to give her knee more time to recover. Asked if there were any regrets about sitting out that com- DETROIT: Mao Asada, of Japan, performs during the ladies free skating routine at the Skate America figure skating com- petition, Vonn said: “I was definitely disappointed. It’s hard to petition in Detroit in this file photo. — AP say no for me. But I felt like I needed more time.” These days, all of her decisions are based on one thing: Being in the starting gate at full strength for Sochi. Vonn will make her return to the World Cup circuit in Beaver Creek later Asada aims to add to this month, with boyfriend and pro golfer Tiger Woods possi- bly even showing up to cheer her on. “We’ll see,” Vonn said, laughing. — AP success at NHK Trophy TOKYO: Mao Asada has won the NHK formance here will get me going for on a third-place finish at Skate Trophy three times, so she knows how the rest of the season.” Canada. important it is in qualifying for the Asada’s main Olympic rival, In the men’s competition, 2010 Grand Prix Final. defending world and Olympic cham- world champion and Vancouver The two-time world champion is pion Kim Yu-na of South Korea, bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi aiming to add to her win at Skate injured her right foot in August and will be desperate to bounce back from America when she takes to the ice at decided to sit out the GP season. a disappointing fourth place at Skate the NHK Trophy this weekend, the So Asada’s main competition is America. Spain’s Javier Fernandez, the fourth of six events in the expected to come from compatriot European champion, will be compet- International Skating Union’s GP Akiko Suzuki, who was second at ing in his first Grand Prix event of the series. Skate Canada last month, and Mirai season, while Adam Rippon, Max The 2010 Olympic silver medalist Nagasu and Gracie Gold of the United Aaron and Jeremy Abbott will repre- could secure a place at the GP Final in States. Suzuki is also aiming to wrap sent the United States. Fukuoka next month with a podium up a spot in the GP Final and selection Two-time world champions Meryl finish. And that’s all critical in her for Japan’s Olympic team. Davis and Charlie White of the United overall preparations for the Sochi Nagasu had a fourth-place finish at States will start as overwhelming Olympics next February. the Vancouver Olympics but has favorites in the ice dance. World and As in previous competitions, the struggled with injuries and inconsis- European champions Tatiana triple axel will be vital to Asada’s suc- tent results since then. She was third Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of COPPER MOUNTAIN: Lindsey Vonn, gets into the starting cess. “The triple axel will be impor- at last year’s NHK Trophy. Gracie Gold., Russia, who won Skate America, head- gate for the first speed training of the season at the US Ski tant,” Asada said. “Hopefully, my per- meanwhile, is hoping looking to build line the pairs event. — AP Team training center. — AP Hansen backs Smith despite slow start PARIS: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen spent quite a lot of time talking and going “This time he had an offer but New pretty tough when I first came in because expects centre Ben Smith to go from through things with the coaches. Zealand Rugby wisely put enough money it was a dream to play for the All Blacks, so strength to strength despite a difficult start “Now it’s just about going out and on the table to keep him. “He wasn’t at I’m just trying to absorb everything.” to life in the All Black jersey. doing it, learning as he goes. He’s a very that point anywhere near the player he is One player who was an instant hit was Although his preferred position is full- capable rugby player. He has played first now but the potential was there. wing Charles Piutau, who scored two tries back, Smith originally played as a winger five, second five, wing and centre at club “He is one of only five players in history in Tokyo last weekend. Hansen places him for New Zealand but failed to set the world level. “He played second five for us, he to score more than 12 tries in a test season, in his second category, those who step alight with his early performances. played in midfield for the Highlanders, he so it’s a pretty special year. “Sometimes we straight up to the plate. However, having switched to centre just hasn’t played a lot (for the All Blacks). have All Blacks that come in and can’t han- “He’s taken off, his game against alongside Ma’a Nonu earlier this year, he “He needs game time to get comfort- dle the expectation of the jersey. “There Australia was right up there,” said Hansen. has reaped the benefits and has already able, he might need three, four or five are others who immediately come in and “He looked comfortable, he seemed natu- scored 12 tries for the All Blacks since the games but I think we’ll see him get a han- step up to the plate from day one. ral, he’s got a lot of confidence. beginning of 2013. dle on the situation quickly and we’ll see “The third type who comes in is not “He repeated that performance against Ahead of tomorrow night’s test against his attacking flair coming through in the great but the more opportunities he gets Japan and we’d expect him to do that France at the Stade de France in Paris, near future.” Smith has been courted by the better and better he becomes. “Ben’s again tomorrow.” Piutau has already Hansen believes Smith is something of a some of the big-spending powerhouses of one of those. This season he’s been out- earned the admiration of stalwarts such as late developer but that he fully deserves European club rugby but Hansen is standing.” The painfully shy Smith admits fly-half Dan Carter. “I’ve been very his place in the New Zealand starting line- relieved that he was convinced to stay in he wasn’t an overnight success but he says impressed with Charles, he came into the up. “The first thing he had to do was to his homeland, signing a deal until 2017 he is slowly adapting to his new status. environment, worked really hard and made become comfortable wearing the All Black back in July. “Everyone’s a wee bit different but the the most of every opportunity. “Last week jersey. He did that on the wing and now he “Like a lot of our good players, there are more time you get in the black jersey, the he was awesome, he’s growing into the has a lot of self belief,” said Hansen. “We offers put in front of them all,” said Hansen. more comfortable you get,” he said. “It was role in the (All Black) environment.” —AFP.