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[Rutashubanyuma]

Joel Monaghan strikes twice as Warrington brush aside Wigan

Wigan 6-24 Warrington

• Andy Wilson at DW Stadium
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 21.59 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Matty Blythe, right, is congratulated by Joel Monaghan after scoring Warrington's first try against Wigan. Photograph: Chris Magnall/Swpix.com Warrington confirmed their early-season status as Super League's top dogs with a comprehensive win at the home of the champions in which their controversial Australian wing Joel Monaghan scored two crucial tries. However, the Wolves coach, Tony Smith, preferred to highlight the role of Monaghan's elder brother Michael.
  "Joel came up with some fantastic big plays for us &#8211; it's nice to have a weapon like that," said Smith. "But if you go back to how the first two tries were created, it comes down to the dummy half.
  "I've talked about Michael Monaghan being the form hooker in the competition, but he'd have to be right up there as the top player at the moment. He's got some subtlety about his dummy&#8209;half play that can suck defenders out of position, and there aren't a lot of players who can do that."
  Joel Monaghan's early touches were greeted by the loudest barking so far this season from the Wigan majority of a 21,000 crowd, the response to the drunken antics with a Canberra team&#8209;mate's pet last autumn which effectively drove him to England. But it was the Warrington fans who were sharing a joke with their new signing when they celebrated each of the tries he scored in the space of 13 minutes either side of half-time with an equally rousing canine chorus.
  There was nothing spectacular about either, but his height and skill on the right wing has added one more weapon to the armoury that has taken the Wolves three-points clear of Wigan at the top of the table.
  Matty Blythe, a 22-year-old who has struggled to hold down a place in the Warrington pack and spent most of last season on loan at Leigh, continued his impressive switch to the centres by laying on Monaghan's first with a perfect pass, after opening the scoring himself. "He's a young man who is building in confidence all the time," said Smith.
  Wigan's try came midway through the first half from Brett Finch, the former Melbourne scrum&#8209;half who was making his delayed Wigan debut after aggravating a neck injury in pre-season training. It was a clever individual effort, as he spotted a gap behind the Warrington defence and touched down his own kick after it had rebounded from one of the goalposts.
  However, his new team still ended the half trailing 12-6 after being undone twice by the quality of Warrington's handling moves to the right, and their coach, Michael Maguire, suggested a tough week ahead after their fourth home defeat by the Wolves in seven matches.
  "It was a tough old night for the boys &#8211; we went away from what we're very capable of doing," he said. He described Finch's performance as "a bit rusty at times &#8211; he'd put his hand up for that", and said: "It was a tough game to be thrown into. We were short of halves, but the run will do him a lot of good."
  Wigan's attack relied mostly on high kicks for the corner, but with their tall Australian wing Pat Richards watching from the press box &#8211; the 2010 Man of Steel is still at least a fortnight away from his comeback from the achilles injury he suffered in the Grand Final last year &#8211; they could not quite apply the finishing touch.
  In contrast, Warrington had the 2009 Man of Steel Brett Hodgson to add an extra cutting edge to their attack. He combined intelligently with the half-backs Lee Briers and Richie Myler, and also added excellent conversions to the first three tries.
  Hodgson's fourth and last kick of the night was a sitter, after Myler had sealed the win with a 60-metre interception try from a stray pass by the Wigan captain, Sean O'Loughlin.
  In last night's other Super League game, Paul Wellens and Jamie Foster each scored two tries as St Helens swept to a first win at their temporary Widnes base, defeating Bradford Bulls 28-16. Saints have moved to the Halton Stadium until their new ground is ready in 2012.
  Wigan Warriors S Tomkins; Goulding, Marsh, Carmont, Charnley; Finch, Leuluai; Coley, McIlorum, Prescott, Hansen, Hoffman, O'Loughlin (capt). Interchange Lima, Roberts, Mossop, Tuson.
  Warrington Wolves Hodgson; J Monaghan, Blythe, Bridge, Evans; Briers, Myler; Morley (capt), M Monaghan, Carvell, Grix, Westwood, Harrison. Interchange Higham, Clarke, Wood, Solomona.
  Referee T Alibert
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Joel Monaghan strikes twice as Warrington brush aside Wigan

Wigan 6-24 Warrington

• Andy Wilson at DW Stadium
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 21.59 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Matty Blythe, right, is congratulated by Joel Monaghan after scoring Warrington's first try against Wigan. Photograph: Chris Magnall/Swpix.com Warrington confirmed their early-season status as Super League's top dogs with a comprehensive win at the home of the champions in which their controversial Australian wing Joel Monaghan scored two crucial tries. However, the Wolves coach, Tony Smith, preferred to highlight the role of Monaghan's elder brother Michael.
  "Joel came up with some fantastic big plays for us – it's nice to have a weapon like that," said Smith. "But if you go back to how the first two tries were created, it comes down to the dummy half.
  "I've talked about Michael Monaghan being the form hooker in the competition, but he'd have to be right up there as the top player at the moment. He's got some subtlety about his dummy&#8209;half play that can suck defenders out of position, and there aren't a lot of players who can do that."
  Joel Monaghan's early touches were greeted by the loudest barking so far this season from the Wigan majority of a 21,000 crowd, the response to the drunken antics with a Canberra team&#8209;mate's pet last autumn which effectively drove him to England. But it was the Warrington fans who were sharing a joke with their new signing when they celebrated each of the tries he scored in the space of 13 minutes either side of half-time with an equally rousing canine chorus.
  There was nothing spectacular about either, but his height and skill on the right wing has added one more weapon to the armoury that has taken the Wolves three-points clear of Wigan at the top of the table.
  Matty Blythe, a 22-year-old who has struggled to hold down a place in the Warrington pack and spent most of last season on loan at Leigh, continued his impressive switch to the centres by laying on Monaghan's first with a perfect pass, after opening the scoring himself. "He's a young man who is building in confidence all the time," said Smith.
  Wigan's try came midway through the first half from Brett Finch, the former Melbourne scrum&#8209;half who was making his delayed Wigan debut after aggravating a neck injury in pre-season training. It was a clever individual effort, as he spotted a gap behind the Warrington defence and touched down his own kick after it had rebounded from one of the goalposts.
  However, his new team still ended the half trailing 12-6 after being undone twice by the quality of Warrington's handling moves to the right, and their coach, Michael Maguire, suggested a tough week ahead after their fourth home defeat by the Wolves in seven matches.
  "It was a tough old night for the boys – we went away from what we're very capable of doing," he said. He described Finch's performance as "a bit rusty at times – he'd put his hand up for that", and said: "It was a tough game to be thrown into. We were short of halves, but the run will do him a lot of good."
  Wigan's attack relied mostly on high kicks for the corner, but with their tall Australian wing Pat Richards watching from the press box – the 2010 Man of Steel is still at least a fortnight away from his comeback from the achilles injury he suffered in the Grand Final last year – they could not quite apply the finishing touch.
  In contrast, Warrington had the 2009 Man of Steel Brett Hodgson to add an extra cutting edge to their attack. He combined intelligently with the half-backs Lee Briers and Richie Myler, and also added excellent conversions to the first three tries.
  Hodgson's fourth and last kick of the night was a sitter, after Myler had sealed the win with a 60-metre interception try from a stray pass by the Wigan captain, Sean O'Loughlin.
  In last night's other Super League game, Paul Wellens and Jamie Foster each scored two tries as St Helens swept to a first win at their temporary Widnes base, defeating Bradford Bulls 28-16. Saints have moved to the Halton Stadium until their new ground is ready in 2012.
  Wigan Warriors S Tomkins; Goulding, Marsh, Carmont, Charnley; Finch, Leuluai; Coley, McIlorum, Prescott, Hansen, Hoffman, O'Loughlin (capt). Interchange Lima, Roberts, Mossop, Tuson.
  Warrington Wolves Hodgson; J Monaghan, Blythe, Bridge, Evans; Briers, Myler; Morley (capt), M Monaghan, Carvell, Grix, Westwood, Harrison. Interchange Higham, Clarke, Wood, Solomona.
  Referee T Alibert

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Castleford confident of fans' good behaviour as Gareth Thomas returns

&#8226; Club fined after Wales international was abused on first visit
&#8226; 'A small number of mindless fools let the club down'

• Andy Wilson
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 17.20 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Crusaders' Gareth Thomas is set to make his first return to Castleford. Photograph: John Gichigi/Getty Images Gareth Thomas will make his second visit to Castleford on Sunday, and the Tigers are determined to ensure that he leaves with a more positive impression.
  The dual code Wales international made his first away Super League appearance for the Crusaders at the Jungle, as the ground was then called, last March, and was subjected to homophobic abuse from a small minority of home supporters for which Cas were subsequently fined £20,000 by the Rugby Football League.
  They were furious at the time, and complained of having been used as convenient scapegoats to allow the governing body to showcase their Respect code of conduct. But this season, Castleford's response has been much more positive, as they have launched a drive to make the rebranded Probiz Coliseum a more friendly venue for families as well as minorities.
  Whenever the language from the zealots under the corrugated roof behind the posts has got out of hand, a tape has been played over the public address system with either the new captain, Danny Orr, his predecessor, Ryan Hudson, or the popular Australian import Dean Widders urging supporters to desist.
  They will be stepping up those efforts even more on Sunday, with posters and flags emphasising the club's commitment to the RFL's Respect campaign, in addition to the discreet cameras that have been installed to spot any offenders in order to eject them from the ground and ban them indefinitely.
  Richard Wright, the long-serving chief executive of the club, said: "We've put a lot of hard work into taking every step possible to prevent a repeat of last year. There has been a fantastic atmosphere at games so far this season and we are grateful to our fans for that.
  "We've invited the RFL's equality and diversity officer as guest of honour for Sunday's game and we are very proud of the fantastic progress made in introducing new initiatives, some of which are firsts for rugby league and sport in general.
  "We know that it was a small number of mindless fools that let the club, the town and the sport of rugby league down last year and we have taken steps to deal with these. Anybody found guilty of homophobic abuse has, and will be, banned from games indefinitely.
  "Sunday is an opportunity for the fans to make a statement that Castleford Tigers are not a homophobic club. The club has played its part, it's now up to the fans to concentrate on cheering the team and proving once and for all how this is a proud club, that warrants its reputation as one of the friendliest, most family-orientated clubs in the game."
  Cas have also been transformed on the field this season, with the rapid development of a clutch of homegrown youngsters firing them to four consecutive victories before they suffered a narrow defeat at Bradford last Sunday, their first of the year. In contrast, the Crusaders have suffered five straight defeats since opening their campaign in such impressive style with a 42-12 drubbing of Salford at the Millennium Stadium.
  Their coach, Iestyn Harris, has taken steps to strengthen his squad this week by signing the Wales prop Andy Bracek and Jordan Tansey, the former Leeds utility back who had been playing for Dewsbury after his dismissal by Hull last month for a series of disciplinary breaches. Both could make their debuts at Castleford, although all eyes will be on Thomas.
  Huddersfield's Australian enforcer Luke O'Donnell is relishing the prospect of tangling with his former Test and New South Wales team-mate Willie Mason in televised game at Hull KR, and the Leeds coach, Brian McDermott, is warning his team not to underestimate Wakefield in another all-Yorkshire battle on Sunday. Trinity claimed their second completely unexpected away win of the season at Hull last Friday and McDermott said that John Kear, their coach, "must be dipping his players in a big vat of attitude".
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Castleford confident of fans' good behaviour as Gareth Thomas returns

• Club fined after Wales international was abused on first visit
• 'A small number of mindless fools let the club down'

• Andy Wilson
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 17.20 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Crusaders' Gareth Thomas is set to make his first return to Castleford. Photograph: John Gichigi/Getty Images Gareth Thomas will make his second visit to Castleford on Sunday, and the Tigers are determined to ensure that he leaves with a more positive impression.
  The dual code Wales international made his first away Super League appearance for the Crusaders at the Jungle, as the ground was then called, last March, and was subjected to homophobic abuse from a small minority of home supporters for which Cas were subsequently fined £20,000 by the Rugby Football League.
  They were furious at the time, and complained of having been used as convenient scapegoats to allow the governing body to showcase their Respect code of conduct. But this season, Castleford's response has been much more positive, as they have launched a drive to make the rebranded Probiz Coliseum a more friendly venue for families as well as minorities.
  Whenever the language from the zealots under the corrugated roof behind the posts has got out of hand, a tape has been played over the public address system with either the new captain, Danny Orr, his predecessor, Ryan Hudson, or the popular Australian import Dean Widders urging supporters to desist.
  They will be stepping up those efforts even more on Sunday, with posters and flags emphasising the club's commitment to the RFL's Respect campaign, in addition to the discreet cameras that have been installed to spot any offenders in order to eject them from the ground and ban them indefinitely.
  Richard Wright, the long-serving chief executive of the club, said: "We've put a lot of hard work into taking every step possible to prevent a repeat of last year. There has been a fantastic atmosphere at games so far this season and we are grateful to our fans for that.
  "We've invited the RFL's equality and diversity officer as guest of honour for Sunday's game and we are very proud of the fantastic progress made in introducing new initiatives, some of which are firsts for rugby league and sport in general.
  "We know that it was a small number of mindless fools that let the club, the town and the sport of rugby league down last year and we have taken steps to deal with these. Anybody found guilty of homophobic abuse has, and will be, banned from games indefinitely.
  "Sunday is an opportunity for the fans to make a statement that Castleford Tigers are not a homophobic club. The club has played its part, it's now up to the fans to concentrate on cheering the team and proving once and for all how this is a proud club, that warrants its reputation as one of the friendliest, most family-orientated clubs in the game."
  Cas have also been transformed on the field this season, with the rapid development of a clutch of homegrown youngsters firing them to four consecutive victories before they suffered a narrow defeat at Bradford last Sunday, their first of the year. In contrast, the Crusaders have suffered five straight defeats since opening their campaign in such impressive style with a 42-12 drubbing of Salford at the Millennium Stadium.
  Their coach, Iestyn Harris, has taken steps to strengthen his squad this week by signing the Wales prop Andy Bracek and Jordan Tansey, the former Leeds utility back who had been playing for Dewsbury after his dismissal by Hull last month for a series of disciplinary breaches. Both could make their debuts at Castleford, although all eyes will be on Thomas.
  Huddersfield's Australian enforcer Luke O'Donnell is relishing the prospect of tangling with his former Test and New South Wales team-mate Willie Mason in televised game at Hull KR, and the Leeds coach, Brian McDermott, is warning his team not to underestimate Wakefield in another all-Yorkshire battle on Sunday. Trinity claimed their second completely unexpected away win of the season at Hull last Friday and McDermott said that John Kear, their coach, "must be dipping his players in a big vat of attitude".

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

St Helens scrum-half Kyle Eastmond has suspension lifted

&#8226; St Helens decide not to release Eastmond despite verdict
&#8226; Eastmond suspension lifted but he has to play for reserves

• Andy Wilson
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 14.44 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Kyle Eastmond has been found guilty of serious misconduct but will remain a St Helens player. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Kyle Eastmond had his suspension lifted by St Helens but had to be content with a place in the reserve team as Jonny Lomax continued his impressive form in the unfamiliar scrum half position by pulling the strings in a 28-16 win against Bradford.
  Eastmond, who recently announced that he will cross codes with Bath next season, was suspended last week after the club received a number of complaints that he had made an obscene gesture during their home defeat by Harlequins.
  The 21-year-old was found guilty of serious misconduct following an internal investigation but reinstated as one of the permitted over-age players in the under-20s curtain-raiser against Bradford, scoring a try. In the main game Jamie Foster scored 16 points from two tries and four goals, but Lomax was the key figure.
  "Following an internal investigation St Helens RFC have found Kyle Eastmond guilty of serious misconduct," a St Helens statement read. "The case centred on rude and offensive gestures to fans at the game against Harlequins on 11 March. The matter has been dealt with in accordance with the club's internal disciplinary procedures and the player has also been warned about his future conduct. As a result, Kyle's suspension from the club is now lifted."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Crusaders' Australian trio of rescuers secure visa approval

&#8226; Rhys Hanbury, Frank Winterstein and Hep Cahill get green light
&#8226; 'Having these three guys is massive for us,' says Iestyn Harris

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 March 2011 16.30 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Iestyn Harris said the Australian new arrivals would 'play a massive role' at Crusaders. Photograph: Gareth Copley/PA Archive/Press Association Ima Crusaders' attempts to lift themselves off the foot of the Super League have received a significant boost with news that their three players stranded in Australia have been allowed to link up with the club.
  The utility back Rhys Hanbury, the second-rower Frank Winterstein and the new signing Hep Cahill have missed the opening six weeks of the season because of delays in getting their visas. But they have now received the paperwork from the UK Border Agency and are expected to arrive in the country in the next few days. They could be in contention to face Salford at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday week.
  Their return will further bolster coach Iestyn Harris's squad, which was strengthened this week with the signing of Jordan Tansey and Andy Bracek.
  While Hanbury and Winterstein played important roles in Crusaders' eighth-placed finish in 2010, the Kiwi second-rower Cahill agreed to join the club from Melbourne Storm in the winter.
  "Having these three guys is massive for us," Harris said. "It has been a long and frustrating process trying to get them over here and our squad is a bit light at the moment. They are three important players for us who are going to play a massive role."
  Harris is set to give Tansey his debut in Sunday's game at Castleford as they look to end a run of five consecutive defeats.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Castleford find new ground buyer as stadium plans are rejigged

&#8226; Castleford's proposed new stadium not ready until 2013
&#8226; Delay could cast doubt on Super League licence bid

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 March 2011 10.28 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Castleford are hoping to sell the Probiz Coliseum to a food retailer. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images Castleford have found a new buyer for their ground that they say will generate around £50m to fund their proposed new stadium but admit it will not now be ready until 2013.
  The new twist in the club's plans to move out of the re-named Probiz Coliseum at Wheldon Road promises to end worries over funding for the new stadium at Glasshoughton but a 12-month delay could cast fresh doubt over their attempt to secure a new three-year Super League licence.
  The Tigers, one of the few clubs to own their own ground, revealed on Thursday that they have shelved plans to sell it for housing because of the slump in the market and instead have agreed with a developer to turn it into a major food retail outlet.
  If approved, the club say the deal with Opus Land (North) Ltd and financial backers Palmer Capital would generate enough money to pay for the new 13,300-capacity stadium just off the M62.
  The club had feared that, because of the slump in the housing market and a subsequent drop in income from the sale of their home for the last 84 years, they would have been forced to either scale down the new stadium or build it in stages.
  The Castleford chief executive Richard Wright said: "We are in a very fortunate position to own the land at our current facility. The Probiz Coliseum is the club's largest single financial asset and our business plan has always been to identify the sale and future usage that would provide the greatest financial return to fund the new stadium development.
  "In extremely challenging economic conditions with land values at an all-time low, the sale of Wheldon Road and construction of a new stadium is challenging. It makes no sense to rush through the sale of our biggest asset at a vastly-reduced price.
  "However, the revised agreement announced today would enable the club to acquire all the necessary funding to deliver a new stadium the fans deserve and to build it in a single phase.
  "This is, therefore, a much better deal for Castleford Tigers and the public of Castleford and is an arrangement that has well suited the likes of Warrington Wolves and St Helens, where similar deals have led to the development of first-class modern stadia."
  The Tigers have outline consent for the new stadium and hope to get detailed planning permission on 7 April but they say work will not now be completed before the start of the 2013 and, therefore, they will remain at Wheldon Road for the 2012 season.
  Castleford were one of five clubs to be warned two years ago that their grounds do not meet the minimum standards required for the next set of Super League licences from 2012.
  Crusaders have moved from Bridgend to Wrexham and both Salford and St Helens are on course to complete moves into new stadia in time for the start of next season.
  The other endangered club, Wakefield, have been hit by delays to their planned move to Newmarket, two junctions further along the M62 from Castleford's proposed new home, and today's development could be good news for them.
  The Rugby Football League's board of directors are committed to promoting at least one Championship club &#8211; Widnes, Halifax or Barrow will get the nod next Thursday &#8211; and will announce the other 13 licence winners in July.
  Wright, currently finalising his club's licence application, is now hoping they will be allowed to play next season at their current home.
  "I fully appreciate the fans will be disappointed that our move to Glasshoughton will be delayed," he said. "However, we anticipate our current facilities at the Probiz Stadium will be reviewed favourably and will be complemented by our advanced plans to move to a new stadium within the next licensing period."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Dumoulin wins stage five of Tour of Catalunya

• Reuters, Friday March 25 2011 * Dumoulin wins fifth stage
  * Contador retains overall lead
  (adds quotes, details)
  By Alasdair Fotheringham
  TARRAGONA, Spain, March 25 (Reuters) - Frenchman Samuel Dumoulin again turned on the power in an uphill finish to win stage five of the Tour of Catalunya on Friday, from El Vendrell to Tarragona.
  Alberto Contador of Spain remained the overall leader for a third successive day.
  Cofidis rider Dumoulin also won a stage in the race last year after a climb through Barcelona's Montjuic Park.
  "I was lucky to win today because I only found out very late in the day that the finish would suit me so well," he told reporters.
  "Someone on the staff who was at the finish realised I'd have a chance, and called through to the team director," he said.
  "He radioed it through to me and I quickly got myself to the front."
  Dumoulin said uphill sprinting was a speciality at which he had worked hard at since he turned professional in 2002.
  "Today's sprint wasn't about speed, it was more about pure strength and that's just what I like."
  "My team director, Eric Boyer, recently sent us all an email reminding us we needed more high-profile success.
  "Today's win is a good answer to that email."
  Contador needed the help of his Saxo Bank team mates after a dangerous four-man break featuring challenger Francesco Masciarelli of Italy.
  Less than two minutes behind on general classification, the Astana rider's move opened up a gap of over five minutes in rugged terrain before Saxo Bank finally picked up the pace in the pack.
  Thanks to Saxo Bank's brutal acceleration, the break was finally caught with five kilometres left to race.
  With two days racing remaining, Contador stayed in control with a 23 seconds advantage over American Levi Leipheimer. Italy's Michele Scarponi is third.
  The Tour of Catalunya finishes on Sunday in Barcelona.
  (Editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

World Track Championships, Apeldoorn

World championships showcase quality of British cycling's new wave

The British team have just three riders over 30 and the speed and maturity of the youngsters have given grounds for optimism

• Comments (5)

• 
• • William Fotheringham in Apeldoorn
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 20.44 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Laura Trott, centre, aged 18, slotted in perfectly to the gold medal-winning team pursuit team with Wendy Houvenaghel, left, and Danielle King. Photograph: Vincent Jannink/AFP/Getty Images It might be stretching a point to say this year's world championships mark the arrival of a new generation of British track cyclists, but precocious talent is much in evidence. The shift has happened gradually since Beijing, to such an extent that there are only three riders the wrong side of 30 in this year's team in Apeldoorn &#8211; Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Wendy Houvenaghel.
  The 18-year-olds Sam Harrison and Laura Trott are just the tip of an iceberg of youthful talent. Becky James, qualifying just behind Pendleton in the sprint at 19, seems like a seasoned campaigner already as does Jess Varnish, 20, while Andy Tennant and Matt Crampton, a ripe old 24 apiece, seem to have been around for years. And what to make of Jason Kenny, 23 this week, an Olympic gold medallist at 20?
  The teenagers impress in two ways apart from their results. Firstly, they have technical skill to go with their obvious speed, and secondly they show no signs of being overawed by the occasion. Trott, Harrison, and the other debutant, Dani King, 20, slotted in perfectly into their respective team pursuit line-ups with assurance. They show no sign of nerves.
  The success of the British cycling Under-23 academy has been well documented: its most notable product is Mark Cavendish while Ed Clancy, Tennant and Geraint Thomas have also been through that particular mill. What is less well known is that the academy's foundation in 2004 led to a complete restructuring of youth cycling within Britain. That system has been tweaked repeatedly in recent years to the point that while the coaches may not feel that young champions are there in quantity, the quality is certainly there.
  "Psychologically, they are certainly better prepared than young riders were five or 10 years go," says the psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, who has played a key role in the rise of British cycling since Athens. Peters feels that "they know the model we work on, they are already trained when they come into the senior team".
  Part of the reason may be that Peters's methods are no longer a novelty, but there is also the fact that the Britons employ an assistant psychiatrist, the former shotputter Dave Readle, whose brief is to work with the junior riders in the system while Peters focuses on the senior team members' needs.
  According to the performance director, Dave Brailsford, the improvement in technical skills comes from a shift in focus at younger levels. "We used to be very conditioning-based, it was about numbers, SRM cranks, training. But then we realised we needed bike racers. We were producing big strong physical specimens but technically they weren't great. We started to think about developing racing skills."
  The current junior coach Darren Tudor &#8211; the man cited by Trott and Harrison as a major factor in their success &#8211; points to an episode at the 2005 world junior championships when the Great Britain team made it to the final but crashed after a touch of wheels. "We didn't have the technical skills to go fast enough although we had the physical skills," he said.
  The upshot has been the creation of whole new tiers of racing at Under-16 and junior level, with coaching support that Brailsford estimates at £600,000 for the Under-16 Talent Team, and £300,000 for the more focused Olympic Development Programme for 16- to 18-year-olds.
  Tudor estimates he and his fellow coaches spend between 100 and 110 days with their junior charges.
  Twice a year, Tudor runs a "World Cup" at the Newport velodrome for Under-16, junior and academy riders. There are now Regional Schools of Racing across the country where nominated riders race under the supervision of coaches so that their skills can be developed. The winter "Sprint Schools" for 12- to 15-year-olds sponsored by DHL are massively popular. Regional omnium races for 12- to 16-year-olds feed into a national championship and, again, are hotly contested.
  "Standards across the board are high now, because more kids are doing it across the board," says Tudor, "but the top end is about the same. Every year we see one or two really good kids coming through, but there don't seem to be more really good ones although numbers overall are higher.
  "Sam and Laura's breaking through doesn't surprise me, they always stood out, in the way they rode at the junior world championships, for example. They will just get stuck into anything. You give them the skill set, then you can develop the engine later."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

World Track Championships

Jason Kenny puts Sir Chris Hoy in shade at world track championships

&#8226; Sprint king Hoy beaten to silver by young pretender Kenny
&#8226; 'I still feel like I'm lacking a bit of race suppleness,' says Hoy

• William Fotheringham in Apeldoorn
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 20.20 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Sir Chris Hoy, left, congratulates Great Britain team-mate Jason Kenny at the track world championships in Apeldoorn. Photograph: Jerry Lampen/Reuters The balance of power has shifted decisively in British match sprinting, with Jason Kenny having pushed the Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy off top spot to be in pole position for the single slot representing Great Britain in the discipline at London 2012.
  The pair had met twice this season, in the national title and the World Cup in Manchester, before Friday's head to head in the semi-finals here. There Kenny made it three of three, beating Hoy in straight rides.
  The match between the Olympic gold and silver medallist was the highlight in an enthralling set of semi-finals, which made the one-rider per nation rule which will apply in London look a nonsense. The Frenchmen Gregory Bauge and Mickaël Bourgain fought out one, Hoy and Kenny the other. Unfortunately it is likely, on this showing &#8211; and given the strength in depth in Germany and Australia &#8211; that next year's sprint tournament at the world championships in Melbourne will be of higher quality than that in London.
  Hoy looked unusually nervous in his first match against Kenny, making a mistake in attempting to dive underneath the younger man, who stayed high, then cruised past. The second match was closer, with Hoy leading out and Kenny again coming from behind but by a smaller margin. That put Kenny &#8211; 23 this week &#8211; past his 35-year-old room-mate into the final against Bauge
  En route to his third world title in three years, Bauge looked in a class of his own. In round one, he had the strength to lead Kenny out on the final lap and hold him off convincingly. In round two the Briton could find nothing more. Bauge is building a fine record in the most prestigious title on the track. He is the first man to take a hat-trick of titles since his fellow Frenchman Florian Rousseau between 1996 and 1998. The question is whether Hoy or Kenny can find a little more before London, although Kenny is keen not to read too much into the result.
  "I'm pleased with the competition in general, it's my best result at world championships. Since Beijing I seemed to be finishing top five and six, never stepping up. There's not really an order within the team, it's chopping and changing.
  "I've taken advantage of a few little mistakes Chris has made in the races but as a team there are five guys looking for that one slot. Selection will be down to the last minute to get the right man. Bauge had a lot more horsepower going into the last three-quarters of a lap. He's an incredibly strong guy, one of the strongest guys in the world on a bike. I just didn't have an answer."
  Hoy scrapped doughtily from a ride down to claim the bronze ahead of Bourgain in the decider, which clearly boosted his morale considerably. He has a chance to bounce back on Saturday if he can defend his keirin world title, having looked more at home in this discipline recently than in the sprint.
  "It was a nice way to end it, with a victory," Hoy said. "I'm still feeling like I'm lacking a bit of race suppleness. Jason deserved to beat me in the semi. He rode to his strengths. I'll get a good night's sleep, get through the first round then get myself ready for the evening. It's about getting your head in the right place, it's a mental thing, a little switch &#8211; you put it on and then you're away".
  Victoria Pendleton defends her sprint world title against her old rival Anna Meares in the semi-finals on Saturday. Pendleton did not qualify in a super-fast time, coming in sixth, but she has looked as peerless as ever, going through the opening rounds in untroubled style. Depending on how she recovers, she will push hard for her sixth title in seven years: if she can manage it, victory will give her five straight titles, a remarkable record.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

World Track Championships

Jason Kenny puts Sir Chris Hoy in shade at world track championships

• Sprint king Hoy beaten to silver by young pretender Kenny
• 'I still feel like I'm lacking a bit of race suppleness,' says Hoy

• William Fotheringham in Apeldoorn
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 20.20 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Sir Chris Hoy, left, congratulates Great Britain team-mate Jason Kenny at the track world championships in Apeldoorn. Photograph: Jerry Lampen/Reuters The balance of power has shifted decisively in British match sprinting, with Jason Kenny having pushed the Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy off top spot to be in pole position for the single slot representing Great Britain in the discipline at London 2012.
  The pair had met twice this season, in the national title and the World Cup in Manchester, before Friday's head to head in the semi-finals here. There Kenny made it three of three, beating Hoy in straight rides.
  The match between the Olympic gold and silver medallist was the highlight in an enthralling set of semi-finals, which made the one-rider per nation rule which will apply in London look a nonsense. The Frenchmen Gregory Bauge and Mickaël Bourgain fought out one, Hoy and Kenny the other. Unfortunately it is likely, on this showing – and given the strength in depth in Germany and Australia – that next year's sprint tournament at the world championships in Melbourne will be of higher quality than that in London.
  Hoy looked unusually nervous in his first match against Kenny, making a mistake in attempting to dive underneath the younger man, who stayed high, then cruised past. The second match was closer, with Hoy leading out and Kenny again coming from behind but by a smaller margin. That put Kenny – 23 this week – past his 35-year-old room-mate into the final against Bauge
  En route to his third world title in three years, Bauge looked in a class of his own. In round one, he had the strength to lead Kenny out on the final lap and hold him off convincingly. In round two the Briton could find nothing more. Bauge is building a fine record in the most prestigious title on the track. He is the first man to take a hat-trick of titles since his fellow Frenchman Florian Rousseau between 1996 and 1998. The question is whether Hoy or Kenny can find a little more before London, although Kenny is keen not to read too much into the result.
  "I'm pleased with the competition in general, it's my best result at world championships. Since Beijing I seemed to be finishing top five and six, never stepping up. There's not really an order within the team, it's chopping and changing.
  "I've taken advantage of a few little mistakes Chris has made in the races but as a team there are five guys looking for that one slot. Selection will be down to the last minute to get the right man. Bauge had a lot more horsepower going into the last three-quarters of a lap. He's an incredibly strong guy, one of the strongest guys in the world on a bike. I just didn't have an answer."
  Hoy scrapped doughtily from a ride down to claim the bronze ahead of Bourgain in the decider, which clearly boosted his morale considerably. He has a chance to bounce back on Saturday if he can defend his keirin world title, having looked more at home in this discipline recently than in the sprint.
  "It was a nice way to end it, with a victory," Hoy said. "I'm still feeling like I'm lacking a bit of race suppleness. Jason deserved to beat me in the semi. He rode to his strengths. I'll get a good night's sleep, get through the first round then get myself ready for the evening. It's about getting your head in the right place, it's a mental thing, a little switch – you put it on and then you're away".
  Victoria Pendleton defends her sprint world title against her old rival Anna Meares in the semi-finals on Saturday. Pendleton did not qualify in a super-fast time, coming in sixth, but she has looked as peerless as ever, going through the opening rounds in untroubled style. Depending on how she recovers, she will push hard for her sixth title in seven years: if she can manage it, victory will give her five straight titles, a remarkable record.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Ray Eden, former cycling champion, dies after alleged assault

Former national time trial champion and stage racer was victim of alleged assault close to home near Doncaster

• Martin Wainwright
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 18.36 GMT <li class="history">Article history A former racing cyclist has died after an alleged assault in the street near his home. Ray Eden, 42, was taken to Doncaster royal infirmary a week ago but died three days later. He won the national time-trial championship in 1995 and the same year represented Great Britain four times in stage racing. He worked for a cycle company in Rotherham after retiring from racing and was a keen oarsman. Luke Jolly, 24, who lived near Eden in Scawthorpe, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm before the death and appears at Doncaster crown court on Tuesday.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Simba yaipigia magoti Yanga

Thursday, 24 March 2011 19:22 newsroom



NA MWANDISHI WETU
UONGOZI wa wawakilishi wa Tanzania kwenye michuano inayoendelea ya Ligi ya Klabu Bingwa Afrika, Simba, umeibuka na 'kuwapigia magoti' mashabiki wa watani wao Yanga, wawaunge mkono kwenye mechi ya marudiano dhidi ya TP Mazembe ya Jamhuri ya Demokrasi ya Congo (DRC). Mechi hiyo ya mzunguko wa pili wa kinyang'anyiro cha ligi ya mabingwa Afrika, imepangwa kuchezwa Aprili 3 mwaka huu, Uwanja wa Taifa, Dar es Salaam. Mwenyeki wa Simba, Aden Rage, akizungumza jana makao makuu ya klabu hiyo, mtaa wa Msimbazi, Dar es Salaam, alisema kwa kufanya hivyo kutachangia ushindi kwa wawakilishi hao pekee kwenye michuano ya kimataifa. Alisema pamoja na kuwa hakuna utamaduni wa klabu zetu kupeana ushirikiano kama huo, lakini mashabiki wa Yanga na wengine wana fursa kubwa ya kuchangia ushindi wa 'Wekundu hao wa Msimbazi', ambao wanahitaji ushindi wa mabao 2- 0 au zaidi.

Hali hiyo inatokana na matokeo ya mechi ya awali ya michuano hiyo iliyochezwa mwishoni mwa wiki iliyopita huko Lubumbashi, DRC, na Simba kuambulia kipigo cha mabao 3-1 kutoka kwa mabingwa hao mara mbili mfululizo wa Kombe la Klabu Bingwa Afrika. "Yaliyopita si ndwele, badala yake kila shabiki bila kujali itikadi, anapaswa kuishangilia Simba kwenye mechi hiyo ili hatimae ishinde. TP Mazembe pamoja na ubora walionao, wanafungika ila ni lazima Watanzania tuungane na tuwe wamoja ili tutengeneze ushindi," alisema. Rage alisema ili kuhakikisha ushindi unapatikana, kikao cha Kamati ya Utendaji ya timu yake, kilifanyika juzi na kumteua kocha mahiri nchini, Abdallah Kibadeni 'King', na kocha wa makipa Amour Awadh, waongezwe kwenye benchi la ufundi.
Alisema kamati imezingatia ugumu na umuhimu wa pambano hilo, hivyo alisema kuongezezwa makocha Awadh na King Kibadeni, kutaongeza nguvu kwenye benchi la ufundi ambalo awali lilikuwa likiongozwa na kocha mkuu, Patrick Phiri.
"Kama ilivyoripotiwa, ni kweli kocha Phiri amekwenda kwao Kitwe, Zambia. Amekwenda huko kumwangalia na kumuuguza mkewe. Ila kulingana na taarifa tulizozipata atarejea na kujiunga na kambi Ijumaa ijayo," alisema.
Akizungumzia mechi ya awali dhidi ya Mazembe, alisema walipokewa vizuri na wenyeji wao licha ya kuwa walipambana na rabsha ndogo ndogo wakati wa mapokezi.
"Tunashukuru licha ya kutokea rabsha fulani fulani, tulipokewa na wenyeji wetu TP Mazembe, lakini sisi tutawapokea vizuri na tutawapeleka kwenye hoteli nzuri inayoendana na hadhi ya klabu hiyo," alisema.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 March 2011 20:29 )

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Stars haina sababu ya kufungwa kesho Stars yamwagiwa 100m/

Thursday, 24 March 2011 19:20 newsroom


NA DEUSDEDIT UNDOLE
TAIFA Stars ambayo kesho inawania pointi tatu kutoka kwa Jamhuri ya Afrika ya Kati, imepata motisha ya kushinda mechi hiyo baada ya kupigwa jeki ya sh. milioni 100. Fedha hizo zilizokabidhiwa jana, zimetolewa na Kampuni ya Bia ya Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL). Akizungumza jana wakati wa kukabidhi hundi hiyo, Meneja wa Bia ya Serengeti, Allan Chonjo, alisema kitita hicho ni kwa ajili ya maandalizi ya Stars kwenye mechi yake dhidi ya Jamhuri ya Afrika ya Kati. Stars inayofundishwa na Kocha raia wa Denmark, Jan Poulsen itavaana na Jamhuri ya Afrika ya Kati, kesho, Uwanja wa Taifa.
Mechi hiyo ni ya kusaka tiketi ya kucheza fainali zijazo za Kombe la Mataifa Afrika (CAN).
Fainali zijazo zitaandaliwa kwa pamoja na nchi za Gabon na Equatorial Guinea, mwakani. Chonjo alisema fedha zilizotolewa ni sehemu ya udhamini wa kampuni yake kwa Stars, hivyo anaamini zitachangia kuiweka timu hiyo vizuri katika mchezo wake wa kesho. "Hii ni moja ya sehemu ya udhamini wa SBL kwa Stars, na tunaamini fedha hiyo itachangia na kuwa chachu ya ushindi kwenye mechi ijayo. Ninaamini ushindi ndio utarejesha matumaini ya kufuzu kucheza fainali hizo," alisema. Meneja huyo ametoa wito kwa mashabiki wa soka, kujitokeza kwa wingi siku ya pambano kuwaongezea nguvu na hamasa wachezaji ili waibuke na ushindi.
Wakati huo huo nahodha wa Stars, Shadrack Nsajigwa, amesema wamejiandaa kushinda mechi hiyo.
"Tumejiandaa vizuri kupambana na wanaoongoza kwenye kundi letu la D, hivyo kinachotakiwa ni mashabiki kujitokeza kwa wingi kutushangilia kwa muda wote ili tuibuke na ushindi," alisema.
Katika hatua nyingine, Kampuni ya Premier Sports Betting imeingia mkataba wa kusambaza na kuuza tiketi za mechi ijayo kati ya Taifa Stars na Jamhuri ya Afrika ya Kati.
Katibu Mkuu wa Shirikisho la Soka nchini (TFF), Angetile Osiah, alisema kujitokeza kwa kampuni hiyo kutawarahisishia mashabiki wengi kununua tiketi hizo jirani na wanakoishi.
"Kwa muda mrefu tumekuwa tukipata taabu kwenye kusambaza tiketi, hiyo ilikuwa ikichangiwa na idadi ndogo ya vituo vinavyouza tiketi hizo. Lakini kujitokeza kwa kampuni hiyo kutawafanya mashabiki kuzipata tiketi kirahisi kwenye maeneo yao," alisema.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Yanga aibu

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 18:17 newsroom


*Wanachama nusura wachapane

Na Mwandishi Wetu
BAADHI ya wanachama wa klabu ya Yanga, almanusura wachapane makonde makao makuu ya klabu hiyo baada ya kundi moja kuandaa mkutano wa matawi bila idhini ya uongozi wa klabu hiyo. Hali hiyo iliyotishia amani kwenye makao makuu ya klabu hiyo, ilitokea juzi saa tisa alasiri, baada kuibuka kundi jingine kuzuia kufanyika mkutano huo na kuzusha tafrani kubwa baina ya makundi hayo hadi kufikia hatua ya kutupiana viti na kukunjana mashati. Mkutano huo ulioitishwa na kundi linalojiita Yanga Bomba na kujumuisha baadhi ya matawi, ulilenga kumjadili na hatimae kumuondoa madarakani mwenyekiti wa matawi ya klabu hiyo, Mohammed Msumi. Kundi hilo lilipofika makao makuu ya Yanga, makutano ya mitaa ya Twiga na Jangwani, Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam, lilianza kupanga viti kwenye ukumbi wa mkutano, lakini ghafla lilitokea kundi jingine na kuzuia kufanyika mkutano huo. Hali hiyo, ilisababisha mabishano mazito na baadhi ya viongozi na wanachama kutaka kupigana kutokana na kila upande kudai ulikuwa na haki ya kufanya ilichokuwa ikifanya, kitu ambacho kilimfanya Kaimu Katibu Mkuu, Mwesingwa Selestin, kusema hakauwa na taarifa ya mkutano huo.
Katibu huyo baada ya kuona hali ya usalama inazidi kuwa tete kutokana na vurugu zilizoibuka kati ya makundi hayo, aliondoka haraka ofisini kwake akitumia mlango wa nyuma, kukwepa vurugu zilizokuwa zikiendelea, huku baadhi ya wanachama hao wakisikika kutishia kuharibu vifaa kwenye jengo hilo la makao makuu ya klabu hiyo.
Uchunguzi uliofanywa baadae, ulibaini kwamba fujo hizo zilitokea baada ya baadhi ya wanachama hao wanaotaka makamu mwenyekiti wa klabu hiyo, Davies Mosha, arejeshwe madarakani kung'ang'ania msimamo wao huo, wakati Mosha mwenyewe ameshasema hawezi kula matapishi yake.
Mosha aliandika barua ya kujiuzulu wadhifa huo hivi karibuni,
na wakati hata majibu ya barua yake hiyo hayajatolewa na uongozi, amefuatwa abadilishe uamuzi na amekataa.
Jambo jingine linalosababisha vurugu katika klabu hiyo ni baadhi ya viongozi kushutumiwa kuwa wanahusika na kuuza fulana, kalenda na vitu vingine vyenye nembo ya klabu kinyemela bila ya kuchukuliwa hatua.
Wanachama pia wanahoji kitendo cha kumlazimishwa Lawrence Mwalusako kujiuzulu nafasi ya Katibu Mkuu wa klabu hiyo, kwamba kilikuwa na lengo la kutaka kuweka watu wenye ukaribu na kiongozi mmoja wa klabu hiyo ili watimize lengo lake bila kuhoji.
Hawakufafanua lengo hilo wala kumtaja kiongozi huyo.
Alipoulizwa jana, mwenyekiti wa matawi ya klabu hiyo, Mohammed Msumi, alikiri kuwepo fujo hizo ingawa alisema hakuwa na taarifa yoyote ya kuwepo mkutano wa matawi juzi.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Alberto Contador to take his case to Swiss courts if UCI wins appeal

&#8226; Governing body contests Spanish federation's decision
&#8226; Alberto Contador had tested positive for clenbuterol

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 March 2011 11.23 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Alberto Contador was acquitted by the Spanish cycling federation. Photograph: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters Alberto Contador would take his case to the Swiss courts if the International Cycling Union's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the lifting of his doping ban is successful, his lawyer said. "We will do everything that's necessary to show Alberto is innocent," said Andy Ramos, Contador's lawyer. "We're sure we will win at CAS [in Lausanne] but if that isn't the case, we'll go wherever we have to to prove his innocence."
  Asked if that included taking his case to the regular Swiss courts, Ramos said, "If it was necessary, we would."The UCI said earlier it would appeal to CAS against the decision of the Spanish cycling federation [RFEC] to exonerate Spain's triple Tour de France champion. Contador, who has denied any wrongdoing, tested positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol last year but said it came from contaminated meat. "We're not surprised that they [the UCI] did this [appeal] in one sense because it was always an option open to them," added Ramos. "But, on the other hand, we are surprised because we think our case is very well constructed."
  "Either way, we hope that CAS will say the same as the Spanish Federation &#8211; that Alberto is innocent."Reuters
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Millions will watch as Boat Race is re-branded as 'world-class event'

&#8226; 157th race will be shown in more than 200 countries
&#8226; 'It's one of the top 10 annual events in London'

• Barney Ronay
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 20.38 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Both the Oxford (near) and Cambridge crews in action during a training session for the 2011 Boat Race. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images In terms of sheer weight of numbers, the biggest attraction of a busy sporting Saturday takes place tomorrow afternoon, not in Cardiff or Colombo, but on a suburban stretch of the River Thames between Putney and Mortlake.
  The 157th Varsity Boat Race, an event competed for by amateurs at several rungs below world class level, will once again attract six million UK TV viewers, with 250,000 watching from the river bank and a further multitude tuning in via BBC website streaming and TV coverage in over 200 countries.
  At last week's weigh-in at City Hall the London mayor Boris Johnson described the student race as "a world-class sporting event that is huge for London". He seems to be at least half right. Part nostalgia pageant, part emerging talent showcase, the Boat Race has in the last two years made a visible effort to reposition itself as a high-end London heritage event.
  Selling it has been the lot of Boat Race Ltd, the company responsible for dragging this unique sporting "property" - an unavoidably class-bound two-horse race - into the modern world of high-end revenue raking. "It really is a part of London's history," says David Searle, the company's executive director. "The mayor has been incredibly supportive. He's there to promote London as a centre of all things and the Boat Race is considered one of the top 10 annual events in London."
  Menaced by the loss of its ITV rights deal two years ago, the race has since promoted itself aggressively and is now brought to you by title sponsor Xchanging, plus a slew of commercial partners. Despite all of this Boat Race Ltd maintain the race is still financially under-geared. "Running it is very expensive," Searle says. "We pay the clubs [Oxford and Cambridge] to turn up and row. That's very expensive. There's travel and coaching for teams. We don't get any money at all from the colleges."
  If the Boat Race has perhaps been more energetically sold, paradoxically today's race is one of the more parochial of recent years. The race is often maligned as a sub-standard event. This is perhaps unfair: with the national squads yet to be formed, and thanks to the unusual intensity of Varsity race training, these are still currently the two finest eights in the country. On the other hand, with London 2012 now officially looming the pool of available talent is at a four yearly low. Currently the priority for potential Olympians is national competition. Hence the unusual absence of jobbing overseas rowers in today's field; 13 out of the 18 competitors are British with just one American.
  On the plus side both of today's eights are unusually well-stocked with young British talent, including six undergraduates whose chief rowing experience has come through their colleges. Cambridge are fancied by many to repeat last year's triumph. They are the heavier eight, by 13 kilos, and also the more experienced, with four previous rowing Blues. But even in the light blue boat there is a fresh-faced tinge. Cambridge's Dan Rix-Standing didn't even try out for the race last year. There is also undergraduate colour: David Nelson, an Australian economics student, likes to hunt crocodiles in his spare time back home in Brisbane.
  In the Oxford boat the teenage old Etonian Constantine Louloudis is flagged up as one to watch. Dark Blue cox Simon Hislop, a 26-year-old testicular cancer survivor and a campaigner for awareness of the disease provides the most heartening story of a race that, true to its own branding as an annual rite of spring, seems set to take place on an unusually placid River Thames.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Millions will watch as Boat Race is re-branded as 'world-class event'

• 157th race will be shown in more than 200 countries
• 'It's one of the top 10 annual events in London'

• Barney Ronay
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 20.38 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Both the Oxford (near) and Cambridge crews in action during a training session for the 2011 Boat Race. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images In terms of sheer weight of numbers, the biggest attraction of a busy sporting Saturday takes place tomorrow afternoon, not in Cardiff or Colombo, but on a suburban stretch of the River Thames between Putney and Mortlake.
  The 157th Varsity Boat Race, an event competed for by amateurs at several rungs below world class level, will once again attract six million UK TV viewers, with 250,000 watching from the river bank and a further multitude tuning in via BBC website streaming and TV coverage in over 200 countries.
  At last week's weigh-in at City Hall the London mayor Boris Johnson described the student race as "a world-class sporting event that is huge for London". He seems to be at least half right. Part nostalgia pageant, part emerging talent showcase, the Boat Race has in the last two years made a visible effort to reposition itself as a high-end London heritage event.
  Selling it has been the lot of Boat Race Ltd, the company responsible for dragging this unique sporting "property" — an unavoidably class-bound two-horse race — into the modern world of high-end revenue raking. "It really is a part of London's history," says David Searle, the company's executive director. "The mayor has been incredibly supportive. He's there to promote London as a centre of all things and the Boat Race is considered one of the top 10 annual events in London."
  Menaced by the loss of its ITV rights deal two years ago, the race has since promoted itself aggressively and is now brought to you by title sponsor Xchanging, plus a slew of commercial partners. Despite all of this Boat Race Ltd maintain the race is still financially under-geared. "Running it is very expensive," Searle says. "We pay the clubs [Oxford and Cambridge] to turn up and row. That's very expensive. There's travel and coaching for teams. We don't get any money at all from the colleges."
  If the Boat Race has perhaps been more energetically sold, paradoxically today's race is one of the more parochial of recent years. The race is often maligned as a sub-standard event. This is perhaps unfair: with the national squads yet to be formed, and thanks to the unusual intensity of Varsity race training, these are still currently the two finest eights in the country. On the other hand, with London 2012 now officially looming the pool of available talent is at a four yearly low. Currently the priority for potential Olympians is national competition. Hence the unusual absence of jobbing overseas rowers in today's field; 13 out of the 18 competitors are British with just one American.
  On the plus side both of today's eights are unusually well-stocked with young British talent, including six undergraduates whose chief rowing experience has come through their colleges. Cambridge are fancied by many to repeat last year's triumph. They are the heavier eight, by 13 kilos, and also the more experienced, with four previous rowing Blues. But even in the light blue boat there is a fresh-faced tinge. Cambridge's Dan Rix-Standing didn't even try out for the race last year. There is also undergraduate colour: David Nelson, an Australian economics student, likes to hunt crocodiles in his spare time back home in Brisbane.
  In the Oxford boat the teenage old Etonian Constantine Louloudis is flagged up as one to watch. Dark Blue cox Simon Hislop, a 26-year-old testicular cancer survivor and a campaigner for awareness of the disease provides the most heartening story of a race that, true to its own branding as an annual rite of spring, seems set to take place on an unusually placid River Thames.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

 

[Rutashubanyuma]