Fragen und Antworten » trying to stay tough

LAKE LOUISE, Alta. -- Whether the track is bumpy, smooth, icy, or fluffy, Dominique Maltais is a contender on all snowboard courses. The consistency that has produced three consecutive overall World Cup titles in snowboard cross continued Saturday in Lake Louise, Alta. Maltais was second in the big final to Lindsey Jacobellis of the U.S. at the Sportcheck World Cup. Her second podium in as many World Cup races vaulted Maltais into a familiar position at the top of the overall World Cup standings. "Im looking to be fast on every kind of course," Maltais said. "Technical stuff was one of my weaknesses in the past and now its one of my strengths. I think right now, every kind of course Im doing well. "One of strengths is to be consistent and I showed it again today." Maltais was second in the season-opening World Cup in Montafon, Austria, earlier this month. The 33-year-old from Petite-Riviere-St Francois, Que., won bronze in the 2006 Winter Olympics and is a medal contender again in Sochi, Russia, in February. Maltais dominated her quarter-final and semifinal. She lost ground to Jacobellis on the first turn and couldnt run the American down before the finish line. "Even if its a second place Im really satisfied," Maltais said. "I want to step it up for the next couple of races and keep improving myself and be at my top level in Sochi." In snowboard cross, also called boardercross, athletes race a course of bumps, rolls and turns in heats of four with the top two advancing to the next round. Similar to short-track speed skating, crashes are common and boarders can come from behind to win if the leaders go down. Helene Olafsen of Norway took bronze and reigning Olympic champion Maelle Ricker of Squamish, B.C., was fourth in the womens final. In the mens final, Jarryd Hughes of Australia, Konstantin Schad of Germany and Alex Deibold of the U.S. won gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. Calgarys Chris Robanske and Rob Fagan of Squamish were eliminated in the quarter-finals, while Kevin Hill of Trail, B.C., went out in the round of 16. Ricker battled from behind to finish second in her semifinal and join Maltais in the championship round. But the 34-year-old crashed early in the final to fall out of medal contention. "I definitely wish I could re-wind and re-do that big final," Ricker said. "I was on a Sunday drive, but its Saturday afternoon. "I was so slow out of the gate. I bumped with Helene, but it was really minor and I went down. I must have not had my weight on my board properly, knocked me the wrong way and I was on my bum." Lake Louise was Rickers first World Cup of this season. A mild concussion suffered during training for Montafon sent her home before the race. So Ricker admitted to feeling nervous for her first final of the season. She was in trouble early in the semifinal, but generated speed off a banked turn to rocket from fourth to second and advance. "That was a tough race and Im happy I was able to step up and push myself because I needed that," Ricker said. "I needed to be aggressive and go for it." Jacobellis qualified for the U.S. Olympic team with her victory. A broken thumb on her right hand was encased in a purple cast. "Im having a hard time getting good pulls out of the gate because I broke my thumb last race," Jacobellis said. "I really was dependent on working the features to try and get back out ahead. "We were definitely bumping and grinding in the first two turns. I was just trying to stay tough and hold my line, but I could hear everyone behind me. You knew you had to ride with no mistakes." Hughes won the gold in the first mens final of his career. "I just had as much fun as I could and it came together," the elated Australian said. "I just hope I can keep the momentum going through to Sochi." Ricker, Maltais and Robanske have qualified for Canadas Olympic team. Ricker won the womens world title earlier this year. Robanskes victory on Blue Mountain near Collingwood, B.C., last season was the first by a Canadian male since 2007. In 70 career World Cup races, Maltais has stood on the podium 33 times and won 11 of those races. She has said the Sochi Games will probably be her final Olympics. "Shes been training, working so hard in the gym, so hard on snow," Ricker observed. "Shes an amazing athlete and its all paying off for her. Its a great testament to how shes preparing for each race. Its definitely something to look up to, respect and learn from." The snowboard cross team races World Cups in Vallnord, Andorra, and Veysonnaz, Switzerland, in January. The X Games in Aspen, Colo., is their final event prior to the Winter Games. Goedkope Nike Air Max . LOUIS -- Julius Randle had 19 points and 15 rebounds, Aaron Harrison finished with 18 points and No. Nike Air Max Sale Outlet . His apology came before a pregame ceremony in which the team honoured its 2004 team that won Bostons first World Series championship since 1918. "I realize that I behaved bad in Boston," Ramirez said. http://www.goedkopeairmaxsale.nl/ . The Austrian ski federation said Morgenstern was "conscious and well responsive" and his condition would be monitored in the intensive care unit of a Salzburg hospital for the next 72 hours. The federation said it was "way too early" to judge Morgensterns chances of competing in Sochi, and that an update on his condition was not expected before Monday. Air Max Goedkoop . Forward Iker Muniain scored the winner in the 70th minute after Bilbaos incessant pressure recovered the ball and sparked a counterattack inside Barcelonas half. Neymar was once again tagged to pick up Messis goal-scoring duties, but when he wasnt frustrated by slippery footing Bilbaos defence got the better of him. Goedkope Nike Air Max Nederland . PAUL, Minn.LONDON - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would like to see the NFL put a team in London.Jones, one of the most outspoken owners in professional sports, is in Britain to watch his team face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.On a personal basis, and speaking for the Dallas Cowboys, we very much would like a team in London, Jones said Thursday. It has cachet. It has an air about it of international competition.London is one of probably two or three cities outside the United States that really does have all of the criteria that I would look at for having an NFL team. I certainly know that one of the reasons were here this week playing Sunday is to help encourage interest and increase the interest in the game, increase the interest in the awareness of our game.The NFL has been playing regular-season games at Wembley, the home of Englands national soccer team, since 2007. This season, there are three games, culminating on Sunday with the Cowboys (6-3) and the Jaguars (1-8).On Thursday, the NFL announced that there will be another three games next season, starting with the Miami Dolphins playing the New York Jets on Oct. 4 in the first-ever division game in England.NFL officials have said they envisage having a franchise in London one day, though no time frame has been announced and several logistical issues would need tto be resolved.ddddddddddddhe Jaguars, owned by American billionaire Shad Khan, are also on the schedule for next season, and played in London last season as well. They have agreed to a four-year deal to come to London, so theyll be back in 2016.His imagination is welcomed. His business acumen is really welcome, Jones said of Khan. I know that hes a progressive thinker. Certainly his interest that he has in playing here and potentially being involved more so in the future is one that were all aware of.For the Cowboys, who have played several exhibition games overseas, this is the first time theyll be playing for real outside the United States. And against the Jaguars, Dallas will technically be the visiting team.The problem we have is that we dont want to forgo a home game, Jones said. As youre well aware, we dont play many games relative to other sports, and so thats not something that were interested in doing.But our away game, and our ability to play away, has always been a consideration, something that we would do.That doesnt mean that Jones isnt a fan of Britain, or the monarchy.One of the greatest feelings that I have is the picture of Princess Di and her young men there with Cowboy jerseys on, Jones said. 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