NEWSMAKERS
N.Z. easily routs U.S.A. to win America’s Cup
Helmsman Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand have won the America’s Cup by routing software tycoon Larry Ellison’s Oracle Team U.S.A. The underfunded but resourceful Kiwis claimed the oldest trophy in international sports on the Great Sound by Hamilton, Bermuda, on Monday, winning Race 9 to clinch the match at 7-1. Team New Zealand started with a negative point because Oracle won the qualifiers, forcing the Kiwis to win eight races to return the Auld Mug to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland for the first time since 2003. The 26-year-old Burling becomes the youngest helmsman to win the America’s Cup.
Stars acquire Methot, waive goalie Niemi
The Dallas Stars have acquired defenceman Marc Methot in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. Dallas sent goaltending prospect Dylan Ferguson and a 2020 second-round pick to Vegas. The teams announced the deal Monday, less than a week since Vegas took Methot in the expansion draft from the Ottawa Senators. Methot, 32, has two years left on his contract at a salary-cap hit of US$4.9 million. Meanwhile, the Stars placed goalie Antti Niemi on waivers with the intention to buy out the final year of his contract. Niemi is due to make US$4.5 million next season, and would be bought out at US$3 million spread across two years. The 33-year-old, who won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, is coming off a disappointing season in which he went 12-12-4 and had a 3.30 goals-against average. He became the odd man out in Dallas behind Kari Lehtonen and Ben Bishop.
Kvitova to skip event due to abdominal issue
Petra Kvitova pulled out of the grass-court Aegon International Eastbourne in Eastbourne, England, because of an abdominal injury, a day after winning her first title since her playing hand was injured in a knife attack. Organizers confirmed Kvitova’s withdrawal on Monday, a week before the start of Wimbledon. She won the Wimbledon title in 2011 and 2014. Kvitova won the grass-court Aegon
Classic in Birmingham, England, on Sunday by beating Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final. It was only her second tournament since she was attacked at her home in December.
Serena swats away McEnroe’s comments
Serena Williams has no interest in John McEnroe’s thoughts on what would happen if she tried to play on the men’s tennis tour. Williams responded Monday via Twitter to comments McEnroe made during a weekend interview with NPR to promote his latest book. Williams asked McEnroe to “please, please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.” McEnroe, a former player and now TV commentator, said Williams is the best women’s tennis player in history, “no question,” but when asked whether she was the sport’s best ever, regardless of gender, he made clear he didn’t think so. The 58-year-old said he thought Williams could beat some men, “but if she had to just play the circuit — the men’s circuit — that would be an entirely different story.” He said if she tried to be part of the men’s tour, “she’d be like 700 in the world.”
Bolt wonders who will be world’s new No. 1
Usain Bolt is curious as to who will replace him as the world’s fastest man. He’s confident nobody will know at his last major race, at the world athletics championships in August in London. Bolt was unperturbed when asked on Monday if he was afraid of losing his last race before retirement. “My coach always finds a way (for me to win),” he said. “I’m not worried.” As for his successor, he was looking forward to the years ahead. “It’s exciting to see who is really going to step up to be a champion.”
Former Packers star in jail for alleged abuse
Former Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green has been jailed in Wisconsin on suspicion of child abuse. Online records show Green was booked into the jail Monday on a possible charge of child abuse intentionally causing harm for an incident that occurred Sunday. The 40-year-old was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2014. He is the team’s all-time leading rusher and a four-time Pro Bowl pick. Green spent the first two seasons of his 12-year NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks. He played for Houston in 2007-08, but spent most of his career in Green Bay, his last season coming in 2009.