Shiffrin won’t race downhill at the worlds
Mikaela Shiffrin has ruled out skiing the downhill at the world championships — keeping to her pre-announced schedule of four events. Shiffrin inspected the course before the opening downhill training session Tuesday just to take a look at the layout ahead of Wednesday’s super-G race. But she did not enter the training session. Then she performed a few runs of super-G training. Shiffrin straddled a gate in the slalom leg and was disqualified from the combined race Monday that opened the championships at Meribel, France. After the super-G, she also plans to ski her preferred events of giant slalom and slalom at the end of next week. Shiffrin had left open a small possibility that she would race the downhill but now she has decided not to.
NFL QB Carr to visit with Saints
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will visit the Saints Wednesday, two people with knowledge of the situation said. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to comment publicly. One person termed the visit as “exploratory in nature.” Saints coach Dennis Allen was the Raiders’ coach when the club selected Carr in the second round of the 2014 draft out of Fresno State. If the Saints and Raiders agree to a deal, they have until Feb. 15 to work out the details.
49ers to hire Wilks as DC
The 49ers are hiring former Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks as their new defensive coordinator. A person familiar with the choice said Wilks will fill the void created when DeMeco Ryans was hired as head coach by the Texans . . . Myles Garrett’s injured toe does not need surgery after the Browns defensive end dislocated it during Pro Bowl events this past weekend. Garrett got hurt while racing Panthers defensive end Brian Burns through an obstacle course in Las Vegas as part of the Pro Bowl’s festivities. Garrett limped off the field and sat down on the turf to check his injury. The Browns said Xrays were negative.
NHL Cozens, Sabres agree: $49.7m
The Sabres agreed to terms with forward Dylan Cozens on a seven-year extension worth $49.7 million. Cozens will count $7.1 million against the cap through the 2029-30 season. Cozens, who turns 22 Thursday, joins Tage Thompson and Mattias Samuelsson as core players extended the past six months.
AUTO RACING Busch broke Mexico gun laws
Kyle Busch was detained at a Mexican airport late last month when a handgun and ammunition were discovered in his luggage, the NASCAR star acknowledged this week, apologizing for the incident and calling it “a mistake.” Busch was sentenced this month to 3½ years in prison and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine for having a gun and ammunition, a punishment handed down by a judge in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, home to beach destinations Cancun and Tulum. The federal Attorney General’s Office said the judge decided to allow a conditional punishment and let Busch leave Mexico after he paid a bond. The office did not say how much he paid. Busch was brought Jan. 29 before a judge who ruled the arrest was legal and Busch was sentenced Feb. 3, according to the statement. The next step would be the judge scheduling another hearing to set the details of Busch’s conditional punishment and where he will pay the fine.
BASEBALL New rules not used in WBC
Major League Baseball’s new pitch clock, limits on shifts, and larger bases will not be used during the World Baseball Classic. The three innovations will debut during the exhibition season that starts Feb. 24. The 20-team national team tournament runs from March 8-21, and players will return to their clubs for more exhibition games with the new rules ahead of Opening Day on March 30.