A round-up of today's other sports news in brief ...
Lynch sixth in Bordeaux
EQUESTRIAN:Denis Lynch and Lantinus 3 finished sixth in yesterday's Bordeaux Grand Prix, a competition dominated by German riders, writes Margie McLoone.
Heading a trio from Germany was Marco Kutscher and the 13-year-old Carthago gelding Cash 63. Second place was filled by Marcus Ehning on Sandro Boy with Ludger Beerbaum slotting into third on Coupe de Coeur.
Albert Zoer took fourth on Sam for the Netherlands.
Lee tops St Patrick's Garden card
BOXING:Limerick middleweight Andy Lee will box against three-time world title challenger Antwun Echols in the main event of a St Patrick's Eve card at New York's Madison Square Garden Theatre, writes George Kimball.
Lee (15-1) has not fought since he stopped American Willie Gibbs in Limerick last July, having taken time off to recuperate from surgery to repair a cut that had reopened on several occasions. But he has been training in the Detroit gym of manager Emanuel Steward for the past month, and is anxious for his return to the ring.
Echols (31-9-4) challenged world champion Bernard Hopkins in 1999 and 2000, losing a points decision on the former occasion while being stopped in the 10th round of the latter bout.
He also dropped a unanimous decision to Australian Anthony Mundine in a 2003 WBA title fight in Sydney. In 2001, Echols knocked out former super-middleweight champion Charles Brewer in the third round after being himself floored three times in the second.
Although the 37-year old from Iowa hasn’t won in five years, he has battled to three draws in his last seven fights, and remains a dangerous opponent. A year ago he battled then-undefeated Michael Walker to a draw, and then dropped a close, majority decision to Walker in their October rematch.
The March 16th show, promoted by Irish Ropes, will showcase seven Irish-born boxers, with an aggregate record of 63-4. In addition to Lee, there will be his St Francis Club team-mate, light-heavyweight Jamie Power (4-0), Galway middleweight Simon O’Donnell (8-1), Geesala light-middleweight Henry Coyle (9-1), light-welters Dean Byrne (10-0) of Crumlin and Damian Taggart (2-1), and Dublin featherweight Patrick Hyland (15-0).
The Irish Ropes’ St Patrick’s card has become a New York staple in recent years, but this version will take place without longtime headliner John Duddy. The Derry fighter somewhat acrimoniously split with his former promoters late last year and, while litigation continues, is scheduled to fight Matt Vanda on Top Rank’s February 21st card in the Garden’s main arena.
Evans and Magee retain national badminton titles
BADMINTON:Scott Evans and Chloe Magee retained their national titles in Lisburn yesterday, writes Mary Hannigan.
Both Olympians beat their teenage opponents – Tony Stephenson and Sinead Chambers, respectively – in straight sets.
Magee’s brother Sam paired up with Matthew Gleave to take the men’s doubles’ title, while Leinster’s Keelin Fox and Sandra Lynch won the women’s final.
The Magees then partnered each other to success in the mixed final, retaining their crown by beating Fox and former international Mark Topping.
Evans, Gleave, both Magees, Chambers and Alex Sim will represent Ireland this week in the European Mixed Team Championships in Liverpool, where they have been drawn in a group with reigning champions Denmark, Spain and Slovenia.
Sharapova targets March return
TENNIS:Maria Sharapova is targeting a return to competition in March at either the WTA event at Indian Wells or Miami.
The Russian (21), has been sidelined since last August with a shoulder injury that has hampered her for the past two years.
She had been due to play in Paris next week and then Dubai, but pulled out of both events because of the problem.
“I have been training in Florida the last few weeks and really working hard,” said Sharapova.
“It’s really amazing how you can do all the exercises and rehab in the world, but nothing substitutes the time you spend on court running and hitting hundreds of balls.
“Right now I’m aiming for Palm Springs, or Miami, depending on how things shape up.”
Weather disrupts VOR in-port race
SAILING:Weather has once again played a hand in the Volvo Ocean Race during the Qingdao stop-over in China, writes David Branagan.
A two-race In-Port series had been planned for Saturday, but thick fog and light winds frustrated organisers who were obliged to postpone a start for three hours before abandoning for the day.
Yesterday saw a second attempt at the series and despite a promising start of no fog and sunny skies, the wind again failed to co-operate.
Further attempts will be made today and tomorrow. Even one race will be accepted by the four boats, but as the start of Leg Five and a 12,500-mile stage to Brazil looming this Saturday, the pressure to prepare the fleet is considerable.
At the prize-giving ceremony for Leg Four last night, Ian Walker and the crew of Green Dragon were presented with the Seamanship Award for overcoming setbacks on their route to China, including a broken forestay.
