姜大大夫人
Historic regatta victoriesThe ChinaSpirit team made history at last week's Extreme Sailing Series in Nice, France, by notching the first victories for a China-based contingent at an elite international regatta. It marked only the second time the Shanghai-based crew had competed in the series for 40-foot catamarans, and ChinaSpirit claimed back-to-back victories in the last race on Day 3 and the first the following day. The team also managed top-three finishes in almost 65 percent of the races, compared with 25 percent in its first outing in Cardiff, Wales, a month ago. "Winning not one, but two races, for a new team joining at the end of the Extreme Sailing Series is a testament to the quality of ChinaSpirit and proves the team has what it takes to compete with the best sailors in the world," said Noelle Gahan-Saunders, CEO of ChinaSpirit. "Our goal is for China to get excited to watch what a Chinese sailing team can achieve with the right resources and athletes. "We want China to start watching and following the progress of its very own sailing team." Phil Robertson, ChinaSpirit's skipper who is ranked No 5 worldwide in match racing, said: "It's been tough coming in mid-season and we are putting in all the efforts on and off the water to get up to speed. "We are pushing the boat to its limit and we had a good scare on Day 1 when we nearly rolled the boat. "We are thrilled with the result. Our speed in the breeze was great and our speed in the light airs improved in every race. We are now competitive and mixing it at the top of the fleet." ChinaSpirit's mainsail trimmer, Wu Liang, was thrilled to be part of the historic double win and strong overall result. "I hope that China will start watching and following ChinaSpirit as this is really exciting," said Wu, a Shanghai native. "As we gain more experience and have more Chinese sailors aboard, there is no reason why we should not place in the top three."
悠然1968
From SoccernetVan Der Sar to quit Oranje after Euro 2008Manchester United and Holland goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar has revealed his intention to quit international football after Euro 2008. Van der Sar, who turned 37 on Monday, made his Oranje debut in June 1995 against Belarus and has since racked up 121 caps for his country. The former Juventus and Ajax keeper said: 'I will stop with with the Oranje after Euro 2008. The time has come.' Holland still require one win from their remaining Euro 2008 qualifiers against minnows Luxembourg and Belarus to qualify for next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland. Van der Sar is out of contract at United at the end of the season.
yy瘦胖纸
Actress Ino Menegaki who plays a high priestess lights a torch with the Olympic flame during the handover ceremony of the Olympic flame for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, at the Panathenaic stadium in Athens, Oct 5, 2013.
While tennis fans and pundits are obsessed with his below-par performances at the four majors this year which have left him in danger of missing the cut for the season-ending ATP finale for the first time since 2001, Federer has already put a positive spin on his 2013 trials and tribulations
With the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan often marked by diplomatic fouls and offsides, it took a soccer match in Kabul to bring the neighbours together on Tuesday
