Vonn extends farewell tour
Lindsey Vonn, who was planning to retire at the end of the World Cup season, announced she’ll come back for one more series of races at Canada’s Lake Louise next season.
The U.S. ski star’s plan changed when she hurt a knee ligament this past week. Vonn, the winningest women’s World Cup racer, had to skip this weekend’s speed events in Lake Louise, her favorite course, where she has 18 World Cup wins.
In a video on her YouTube channel, she said she expects to return to racing “in a few weeks.” Vonn, 34, has 82 World Cup wins, leaving her five from breaking the record held by Ingemar Stenmark.
Washington center Dwight Howard is expected to miss two to three months after spinal surgery to relieve pain in his glutes. Howard, in his first season with the Wizards, is averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds . ... Oklahoma City guard Andre Roberson had a setback with his knee injury and will miss at least another six weeks.
The Angels declined to offer contracts to veteran starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker and journeyman reliever Blake Parker, making them free agents, and the Dodgers did the same with reliever Pat Venditte. Other players who became free agents included Arizona closer Brad Boxberger, Chicago White Sox sluggers Avisail Garcia and Matt Davidson, Cincinnati outfielder Billy Hamilton, New York Mets infielder Wilmer Flores and Toronto infielder Yangervis Solarte . ... The Dodgers tendered contracts to 10 arbitration-eligible players including reliever Tony Cingrani. Other players around MLB who received contracts included Minnesota first baseman C.J. Cron, Atlanta reliever Jonny Venters and Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, who will sit out the first month next season as he finishes a 40-game suspension for domestic violence . ... Seattle traded reliever Alex Colome, who has 96 saves in six seasons, to the White Sox for catcher Omar Narvaez. ... Cleveland traded All-Star catcher Yan Gomes to Washington for two prospects.
Kansas City receiver Sammy Watkins (foot sprain) has been ruled out of Sunday’s game in Oakland. Also out: San Francisco receivers Marquise Goodwin (family issue) and Pierre Garcon (knee) . ... Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder injury) was listed as doubtful and likely will miss his second straight game . ... Tennessee cornerback Malcolm Butler was cleared from concussion protocol and is expected to play Sunday.
Jon Rahm hardly missed a shot on his way to a nine-under-par 63, giving him a share of the lead at 10-under 134 with Henrik Stenson going into the weekend at the Hero World Challenge at Nassau, Bahamas. Tiger Woods was eight shots behind, and an 18-month-old rules decision kept him from being further back. Video evidence revealed he hit the ball more than once on the 18th hole, but the rule states that players aren’t penalized if it can’t be seen by the naked eye.
Loyola Marymount women’s volleyball team beat Duke, 25-16, 25-22, 25-16 to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament, while Pepperdine fell to Wisconsin in four sets. USC swept Samford and faces San Diego on Saturday.
Florida State’s women’s soccer team snapped reigning champion Stanford’s 45-game unbeaten streak with a 2-0 win in the College Cup semifinals at Cary, N.C. North Carolina defeated unbeaten Georgetown 1-0 in a second overtime in the other semifinal.
Katie Ledecky won the 200-meter freestyle at the USA Swimming Winter National Championships for her third title in three days.