America’s Cup defender New Zealand awaiting stiff challenge in Barcelona

America’s Cup defender New Zealand awaiting stiff challenge in Barcelona
NYYC American Magic and Emirates Team New Zealand in action during race 13 of the America’s Cup final preliminary regatta in Barcelona last week. (Reuters)
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Updated 28 August 2024
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America’s Cup defender New Zealand awaiting stiff challenge in Barcelona

America’s Cup defender New Zealand awaiting stiff challenge in Barcelona
  • The Louis Vuitton Cup, which starts Thursday, will determine the challenger to face New Zealand in the America’s Cup proper in October
  • America’s Cup began in 1851 when the boat America of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) beat England’s Royal Yacht Squadron, with the trophy named after the vessel

BARCELONA: Italy and the US have shown America’s Cup defender New Zealand they face a fight to the wire to retain the sailing trophy in the 37th edition of international sport’s oldest competition.

Emirates Team New Zealand won the final preliminary regatta in Barcelona last week but were run extremely close by Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli before the Louis Vuitton Cup, which starts Thursday.

The competition will determine the challenger to face New Zealand in the America’s Cup proper in October, starting with two rounds of matches before a semifinal and final.

New Zealand will be involved in the group stage of racing but not the knockout rounds and this is their final chance to finesse their approach.

Teams got their AC75 foiling boats on the water in official competition for the first time in the Barcelona regatta.

New Zealand triumphed in Bermuda in 2017 and then again in Auckland three years ago, hoping to become the first nation to lift the trophy in three consecutive finals since the US in 1987, 1988 and 1992.

“We were expecting it to be tight and we were struggling to get the shifts right, but it’s going to be a close regatta,” said New Zealand skipper Peter Burling after his team’s tight victory over Italy last week.

“It’s all about making sure you get the phases right and sailing the boat in the right places.

“I think we were a little frustrated with how we sailed (in the final, but there’s) plenty to go back and have a look at afterwards.”

Italy were penalized three times in the regatta final race against New Zealand which ultimately cost them.

Luna Rossa, runners-up in the 2021 final, will have the chance to avenge those defeats on Thursday in their Louis Vuitton Cup opener, when they face New Zealand again.

“Hats off to New Zealand, for a great race, but I’m very proud with the team,” said port helm Francesco Bruni.

“I think we have a great boat, a great team, a great sailing team and I think it will be a very interesting America’s Cup.”

The America’s Cup began in 1851 when the boat America of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) beat England’s Royal Yacht Squadron, with the trophy named after the vessel.

Record 30-time winners the US retained the cup until 1983, when Australia triumphed.

NYYC American Magic just missed out on reaching the Barcelona regatta final but their boat is fast enough to challenge New Zealand and they earned a morale-boosting win over the defender on Sunday.

“I think we’re still trying to figure out our strengths and weaknesses,” said skipper Terry Hutchinson.

“The defender set a pretty hard mark, their boat’s very good and I think the Italians are equally as good but what you see is that all the teams are very close to each other and you’re not going to be able to spot anybody a lot of distance off the start line and expect to pass them.”

Ineos Britannia, Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing and France’s Orient Express have some reasons for optimism despite struggling in the Barcelona regatta.

“We only came out with two wins, but it felt very close to four, so I think there’s good momentum within the team and we’re just looking to build on that for the round robins,” said Britannia sailor Dylan Fletcher.

Four-time Olympic sailing champion Ben Ainslie is the skipper of the British team, which is backed by billionaire Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group.

France won just once last week, by default after an issue onboard American Magic, but an even battle with Britain gave them hope.

“The key is going to be the maneuvers and to be strong on the start, so we have to work more in the simulator and on the water with boat-handling too, in order to come back stronger,” said Orient Express sailor Kevin Peponnet.

Beyond four-time winners New Zealand and the US Switzerland are the only other nation competing who have lifted the trophy, in 2003 and 2007.


Zhang Shuai ‘feels like Nadal’ after making more Beijing history

Zhang Shuai ‘feels like Nadal’ after making more Beijing history
Updated 29 September 2024
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Zhang Shuai ‘feels like Nadal’ after making more Beijing history

Zhang Shuai ‘feels like Nadal’ after making more Beijing history
  • Zhang Shuai had not won a singles match in more than 600 days when she arrived at the prestigious WTA 1000 event in Beijing last week

BEIJING: Zhang Shuai said she “felt like Rafa Nadal” after the home player ranked 595th powered into the last 16 to extend her historic China Open run on Sunday.

The 35-year-old wildcard had not won a singles match in more than 600 days when she arrived at the prestigious WTA 1000 event in Beijing last week.

Her run of 24 straight defeats was the longest such barren spell on tour since Madeleine Pegel lost her first 29 matches in 1968-1972.

Shuai, a two-time Grand Slam singles quarter-finalist who has been plagued by injuries, has now won three matches in a row after a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Belgium’s Greet Minnen.

Shuai, who faced Minnen as the lowest-ranked player to reach the China Open third round in the tournament’s history, faces Poland’s 23rd seed Magdalena Frech next.

“I had a long, long, long time not getting this feeling,” said the former top-25 player Shuai, who has won two Grand Slam doubles titles.

“When I play my best I can win a lot of matches, I know that ... I just want to keep it simple, keep going and keep winning.”

Shuai snapped her losing run on Wednesday when she beat 65th-ranked American McCartney Kessler 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/1).

She then stunned US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro 6-4, 6-2 to reach round three and a meeting with 94th-ranked Minnen.

Shuai was on course for a third win in a row when she took the first set and went up a break in the second, only to relinquish the advantage immediately when the 27-year-old Minnen broke back.

As the match ticked past the hour mark, Shuai emerged from a gripping seventh game to break once more for 4-3, then held for 5-3 to put the next round within reach.

Shuai hails from Tianjin, near to Beijing, and said she felt very much at home on the hard courts of the Chinese capital.

So at home in fact that she compared herself jokingly to the Spanish great Nadal on his favorite surface of the French Open.

“When I am on the court I feel so like Rafa Nadal on Court Philippe-Chatrier,” she laughed

“When you’re losing, maybe everybody wants to play against you ... Now nobody wants to play against you.”

Meanwhile, four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz said Sunday that the steroid case involving Jannik Sinner was “not good” for tennis but sympathized with the world No. 1.

The World Anti-Doping Agency on Saturday said it had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing last month.

WADA is seeking a ban of up to two years after the Italian twice tested positive for traces of the banned substance clostebol in March.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency subsequently accepted Sinner’s explanation that the drug entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut, then provided massage and sports therapy to the player.

Alcaraz, the Spanish world No. 3, said at the China Open: “I think for tennis it’s not really good, not really a good sign for tennis in general.”

There has been skepticism among some players about Sinner’s explanation for why he failed the two tests, but Alcaraz took a more sympathetic stance.

“It is difficult for him. I know everyone is talking about it, the news is talking about it,” he said, having reached the last eight in Beijing.


Volleyball at Saudi Games tips off with three dominant wins in women’s competition

Volleyball at Saudi Games tips off with three dominant wins in women’s competition
Updated 29 September 2024
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Volleyball at Saudi Games tips off with three dominant wins in women’s competition

Volleyball at Saudi Games tips off with three dominant wins in women’s competition
  • Men’s volleyball competition starts on Monday

RIYADH: The women’s volleyball competition at the third edition of the Saudi Games began at the Ministry of Sports hall in the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex in Riyadh on Sunday with three decisive victories.

In Group A, Al-Fayhaa’s women’s team opened their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Dar Al-Hikma University. AlUla followed suit in Group B, also securing a 3-0 victory against Jeddah United. Meanwhile, in Group C, Al-Anqaa cruised to a 3-0 win against Erm Najd.

The women’s volleyball tournament continues on Monday with Al-Nassr set to face Dar Al-Hikma University, followed by a clash between Al-Qadisiyah and AlUla. The day’s matches will conclude with Al-Faed club taking on Erm Najd.

In the men’s volleyball competition, which also starts on Monday, three matches are scheduled. Abha will take on Neom, followed by a match between Al-Nassr and Al-Khouildia, before the day’s action ends with Al-Khaleej facing AlUla.


Sharjah Self-Defense take the lead on Day 2 of jiu-jitsu tournament in Sharjah

Sharjah Self-Defense take the lead on Day 2 of jiu-jitsu tournament in Sharjah
Updated 29 September 2024
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Sharjah Self-Defense take the lead on Day 2 of jiu-jitsu tournament in Sharjah

Sharjah Self-Defense take the lead on Day 2 of jiu-jitsu tournament in Sharjah
  • Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concludes on Sunday night

SHARJAH: Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club surged into the lead on the second day of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship – Round 3 No-Gi, taking place from Sept. 27-29 at Al Bait Metwahid in Sharjah.

Saturday’s competitions featured the U-12 and U-14 divisions, with Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club delivering a dominant performance, as MOD UAE dropped to second place, while Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club was third.

On Sunday the U-16 and Youth categories take to the mat.

Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a great platform for young athletes and future jiu-jitsu stars. With each round, we see how children learn important values like challenge, perseverance, and discipline.

“This championship gives them a unique chance to gain life skills, teaching them patience, competition, handling pressure, strategic thinking, and teamwork. At the federation, we believe in the power of sports to shape a strong and aware generation, and this championship plays a key role in building a bright sporting future for the UAE.”

Saeed Ali Al-Ajel, vice president of the UAE Sports for All Federation, said: “We are seeing a great turnout of young athletes in this championship, both citizens and residents, which shows the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s efforts to spread the sport across the country.

“The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Championship holds a special place in everyone’s hearts. Sports are a powerful way to encourage cultural exchange, and this championship helps teach important values like respect and tolerance to these young athletes, which are just as important as winning.”


Al-Hilal top Saudi Pro League after win over Al-Kholood

Al-Hilal top Saudi Pro League after win over Al-Kholood
Updated 29 September 2024
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Al-Hilal top Saudi Pro League after win over Al-Kholood

Al-Hilal top Saudi Pro League after win over Al-Kholood
  • Reigning champions are the only club with a perfect record after five wins from five matches

RIYADH: Champions Al-Hilal returned to the top of the Saudi Pro League table after beating Al-Kholood 4-2 in Rass on Saturday night.

The visitors surged into a four-goal lead in a devastating 10 -minute period either side of half-time thanks to goals from Khalidou Koulibaly (38), Malcom (43), Ali Al-Bulaihi (45+3) and Renan Lodi (48),

Al-Kholood belatedly rallied to half the deficit with goals from Hammam Al-Hammami (71) and William Troost-Ekong (penalty, 87) which ultimately proved nothing more than consolation efforts.

Al-Hilal now lead the table with 15 points from five matches and are the last team in the Saudi Pro League with a perfect start to the 2024-2025 season.

In the day’s other matches visitors Al-Okhdood beat Al-Fateh 4-2 in Al-Mubarraz, while Al-Orobah managed a narrow 1-0 win over Damac at home.


More than 9,000 athletes entered for this year’s Saudi Games

More than 9,000 athletes entered for this year’s Saudi Games
Updated 29 September 2024
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More than 9,000 athletes entered for this year’s Saudi Games

More than 9,000 athletes entered for this year’s Saudi Games
  • Elite athletes from various regions will compete in more than 50 sports
  • Women’s volleyball competition on Sunday gets the Games started

RIYADH: The Saudi Games competition, which starts on Sunday, aims to enhance the national sports movement and discover sporting talent, with more than 9,000 male and female athletes participating from across the Kingdom.

Considered Saudi Arabia’s largest sports event, the Games will include elite athletes from various regions of the Kingdom in more than 50 sports.

The women’s volleyball competition will open the third edition of the Games with three matches. Al-Fayhaa will play against Dar Al-Hikma University at 9 a.m. at the Ministry of Sports Hall in the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex in Riyadh.

Then Al-Ola play against Jeddah United at 11 a.m. and finally Al-Anqa take on Arm Najd at 1 p.m.

Nine teams are participating in the females’ volleyball competitions, divided into three groups, with the competitions running until Oct. 4.

The competitions are part of efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 in supporting and developing the sports sector.