Latest - Corbin Strong has hauled back national teammate Finn Fisher-Black in the final criterium stage to win the New Zealand Cycle Classic in Wellington.
Corbin Strong Photo: Photosport
Fisher-Black led Strong by four seconds in the general classification after yesterday's fourth stage up Admiral Hill near Gladstone in the Wairarapa.
But Strong held his nerve in the final sprint to finish second in today's rain-drenched and wind-swept criterium, gaining a vital time bonus to secure the overall yellow jersey.
Black Spoke Pro Cycling Academy's Campbell Stewart was the stage winner, finishing just ahead of Strong while New Zealand Cycling Project's George Jackson was third
Strong won the Tour in 10 hours 48 minutes and 51 seconds, eight seconds ahead of Fisher-Black. Black Spoke's Aaron Gate was third, 23 seconds behind while New Zealand Cycling Project's Ben Oliver was fourth.
Unsuccessful defence for Robinson
Young New Zealand ski racer Alice Robinson has finished in 14th place at the FIS Giant Slalom World Cup in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Just over one year ago Robinson took her second ever World Cup victory at this very race but was unsuccessful in defending her title.
Robinson attacked the hard and icy course with her trademark aggressive skiing in run one. She got hung up on her inside ski a couple of times resulting in some minor errors which cost her precious time.
She completed run one in a time of 1:06.48, +2.33 behind current leader Marta Bassino of Italy.
Run two was similar for Robinson, with small mistakes costing her valuable time. She finished the race +3.93 behind the winner Marta Bassino (ITA). Tessa Worley (FRA) and Michelle Gisin (SUI) rounded out the podium in second and third respectively.
Surfer pays tribute to late father after winning national title
Saffi Vette of Gisborne has claimed an emotional national surfing title at Piha in Auckland.
Saffi Vette is carried off Piha beach after winning the women's title at the national surfing championships. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
Vette, 19, has beaten Paige Hareb, Ella Williams and defending champion Ava Henderson in the women's final and was quick to paid tribute to her father who passed away less than four months ago.
"Dad sent me a few waves today and the whole week for both me and Finn actually. I couldn't be more proud to represent him and our family in the water so a big shout out to him" said a tearful Vette after the final.
Vette's younger brother Finn was victorious in the under-18 boys division.
Raglan's Billy Stairmand has claimed an eighth national title, beating Kehu Butler (Mt Maunganui) and fellow Raglan surfers Taylor Hutchison and Jayden Willoughby in the men's final.
Sri Lanka fight back in Galle
England captain Joe Root scored a double-century, but Sri Lanka began a spirited fight-back to close day three of the first test in Galle on 156 for two in their second innings, trailing the visitors by 130 runs.
Joe Root in action against New Zealand in 2019. Photo: Photosport
Opener Lahiru Thirimanne anchored the Sri Lanka innings with an unbeaten 76 and will resume on Sunday morning with nightwatchman Lasith Embuldeniya, who has yet to score.
It was a vastly improved effort on the home side's first innings score of 135, as they chase down England's first innings total of 421.
Root will be disappointed his side did not make further inroads on a turning wicket, but it was still a memorable day for him as he brought up his fourth test double-ton with a score of 228.
He also became the seventh English batsman to pass 8,000 test runs but was the last man out, caught on the mid-on boundary off spinner Dilruwan Perera (4-109), whose excellent performance on the third morning kept England somewhat in check.
- Reuters
Rain delays Australia's progress in Brisbane
A heavy downpour frustrated Australia on day two of the fourth test decider in Brisbane, with play abandoned after tea and India spared from resuming on 62 for two in reply to the home side's first innings 369.
Photo: AFP
India number three Cheteshwar Pujara was eight not out, with stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane on two at the teabreak before a storm broke over the Gabba.
With more rain forecast over the remaining days, Australia may have little time to bowl India out twice and seal the series 2-1.
The tourists only need to draw the test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, two years after their breakthrough 2-1 series win in Australia in 2018/19.
To emerge with a tied series would be a massive achievement for Rahane's side, which has battled a mounting injury toll throughout and lacked a single first-choice bowler to call on in Brisbane.
- Reuters
Foxes rise to second in the Premier League
Leicester City moved above champions Liverpool into second place in the Premier League after James Maddison's first-half goal and a stoppage-time effort by Harvey Barnes secured them a 2-0 home win over Southampton.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Brendan Rodgers's side have 35 points from 18 games, one point behind leaders Manchester United and two better off than Liverpool.
Southampton remain eighth, level on points with Chelsea and West Ham United, who enjoyed contrasting 1-0 wins.
Chelsea eventually overcame 10-man west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage, while West Ham dominated a toothless Burnley.
Burnley are now 17th, a point behind Brighton & Hove Albion who won 1-0 at Leeds United.
Second-to-bottom West Bromwich Albion won 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first match of the day.
- Reuters
