Miller makes his 5th U.S. Olympic team
There were no surprises when the U.S. Ski Team announced its squad for the Sochi Olympics: Teenager Mikaela Shiffrin was on the list and, of course, Lindsey Vonn was not.
Five-time Olympic medalist Bode Miller made his fifth squad Sunday, while 2006 Olympic gold medalists Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso also earned spots. In all, the Americans had nine women and 11 men on the team.
Shiffrin could be the headliner in Russia, especially with Vonn staying home to recuperate following another operation on her right knee. The 18-year-old Shiffrin is having quite a season, winning three World Cup slalom races. She will be counted on to help the Americans try to top their record eight-medal haul in Vancouver four years ago.
Clark golden again at Winter X
ASPEN, Colo. — Kelly Clark won her fourth straight Winter X Games gold Saturday night, flying high above the superpipe to edge out 13-year-old Chloe Kim.
Clark, the 2002 Olympic gold medalist, scored a 95 on the strength of one jump that soared 15 feet above the lip of the pipe and another 1080-degree twisting jump with a perfect landing.
Last year, Clark became the first woman to win three straight superpipe titles at the X Games. In 2011, she became the first woman to land a 1080.
Olympics-bound Kaitlyn Farrington finished third.
Clark will be among the favorites in Sochi next month.
She won’t have to contend with Kim, who isn’t old enough to compete in the Olympics. Kim scored a 94.33.
“Whenever I decide to leave, it’s going to be in good hands,” Clark said.
Ramachandran set to be new IOA president
NEW DELHI — World squash chief Narayna Ramachandran is set to become the new president of the Indian Olympic Association as he is the only candidate to have filed nomination for the post.
Ramachandran’s nomination was announced by the IOA on its website Sunday for the Feb. 9 elections after which India is likely to have its suspension revoked.
Hockey India vice-president Rajiv Mehta and All India Tennis Association president Anil Khanna are likely to be the new secretary-general and treasurer as they too are standing unopposed.
India was suspended by the International Olympic Committee in December 2012 for not holding elections according to its own constitution and for electing tainted officials.
Arsenal to face Liverpool in FA Cup fifth round
LONDON — The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup has set up clashes between top teams as Premier League leader Arsenal faces Liverpool while Manchester City hosts Chelsea.
Holder Wigan, which defeated Crystal Palace in the previous round, will travel to Cardiff.
Another top-flight match involves Swansea traveling to Everton.
Manchester City, winners in 2011 and last year’s losing finalist, avoided a major shock by coming from two goals down to beat second-tier Watford 4-2 in the fourth round on Saturday.
The games will be played on the weekend of Feb. 15-16.
By wire sources