12-24-2019, 12:57 AM
BEAVER CREEK, Colo. Washington Wizards Pro Shop . - Kjetil Jansrud cant ever remember a run like this, where he didnt make so much as one tiny slipup on a tricky course designed to tax and tease skiers.The Norwegian settled into the perfect line, smoothly glided through the bumpy course and moments after crossing the finish line stuck out both arms as if he were soaring.These days, it sure seems that way. Jansrud extended his World Cup streak to three straight races with a downhill victory Friday.The 29-year-old finished in 1 minute, 40.17 seconds to hold off Beat Feuz by 0.54 seconds after the Swiss skier made a late push. American Steven Nyman was third for his first podium spot in two years.Its as close to a perfect run as I couldve had, said Jansrud, who became the first male skier to win three straight events since Austrias Marcel Hirscher in 2012. Felt solid all the way.Calgarys Jan Hudec finished 17th and Manny Osborne-Paradis of North Vancouver, B.C., was 20th.Jansrud kept the Birds of Prey downhill title in the Norwegian family. Teammate Aksel Lund Svindal couldnt defend his crown after tearing his Achilles tendon playing soccer in October.Jumping out of the start gate, Jansrud was slightly behind Nymans early pace. But then Jansrud took off, finding a way to generate maximum speed, much as he did in Lake Louise, Alberta, last weekend when he swept the two speed races.His competitors are now searching for ways to keep up, same as they did when Svindal was at his best on the slopes.Jansruds on fire, said American Travis Ganong, who finished fifth despite a recent puncture fracture he suffered at the top of his shin in a training mishap. Hes unbeatable.With no Svindal this season, Jansrud has the added pressure of leading the way for the Norwegians.So far, so good, with the country now winning four of the opening five mens events. Henrik Kristoffersen accounted for the other victory — a slalom race in Levi, Finland.Im glad I can perform when Aksels gone, said Jansrud, who earned the gold medal in the super-G and a bronze in the downhill at the Sochi Games last February. Otherwise, the questions would be the other way around. Id have a huge problem explaining why I cant be fast with Aksel gone. But I dont feel like Im stepping out of (his) shadow. Its an individual sport and Im happy for myself.Hes also taken a sizeable lead in the overall standings, holding a 136-point edge over the defending champion Hirscher.Its not my biggest goal of the season, but if I keep my good shape, I hope to compete with him for the overall, said Jansrud, who joked that his long hair was the result of travelling away from home rather than a new fashion statement. Hopefully, for everybody at home its going to be exciting.Nyman found his run super encouraging, returning to the podium for the first time since he won in Val Gardena, Italy, on Dec. 15, 2012. Its been a tumultuous few seasons for him, dealing with back, knee and Achilles tendon injuries. He also slipped to the U.S. squads B team, meaning he has to pay $20,000 out of his own pocket to race this season.Its tough sometimes, said Nyman, whos from Sundance, Utah. When that was placed upon you and knowing Ive won World Cups and been on the podium several times, and ask you to pay $20,000 to do your job? Thats hard.A goal of mine is consistency, he added. Ive always been up and down.Nyman nearly was joined on the podium by Ganong, who had an electric run going, before finishing fifth.I feel really balanced on my skis, Ganong said. Its fun to attack and push hard and see what happens. Its great to see Steven step up and get a podium. We feed off each other.It looked as if Nyman might wind up second, only to be pushed down a spot when Feuz, who started 25th. His career has been hampered in recent seasons because of a balky left knee.The knee will never be 100 per cent again, Feuz said through an interpreter.Thats what makes this podium finish so satisfying for him.The story is almost bigger than I can imagine, Feuz said. Its almost too much. Tom Gugliotta Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs have trade offers on the table for the 26-year-old, but none have been deemed acceptable by the team. Tracy Murray Jersey . Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Fiorentina levelled on aggregate in the 14th minute when Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez headed back a long ball from David Pizarro and Pasqual smashed home an angled volley. https://www.cheapwizardsonline.com/1509k...zards.html . - A Tuesday funeral is planned in Toronto for 20-year-old Saginaw Spirit forward Terry Trafford.CONOVER, N.C. - Jay Haas and Joe Durant shot 8-under 63 on Friday to share the first-round lead in the Champions Tours Greater Hickory Kia Classic.The 60-year-old Haas, the 2005 and 2009 champion, had an eagle and seven birdies on the first 14 holes at Rock Barn Golf and Spas Champions Course, dropped a stroke on the par-4 15th and closed with three pars.Still, it was Haas best single round this season on the 50-and-over tour. It also extended his streak of sub-par rounds in Champions Tour events to 21.I had a great start, said Haas, who won the last of his 16 Champions Tour titles in June 2012 in Des Moines, Iowa. It was pretty magical. I played well all day, expect for the bogey where I three-putted. But overall, I couldnt be happier.Ive been playing well, and still playing well from earlier in the year. I drove the ball well, my irons were good and my putting was good today. It was nice to make those putts, and to get off to that start.The 50-year-old Durant — who teed off on the back nine — rebounded from bogeys on Nos. 14 and No. 17 to shoot a 7-under 28 over his final nine holes.That equaled the tournament record for a nnine-hole stretch, first set in 2011, and the Champions Tour mark for lowest nine-hole score this season. C. J. Miles Jersey. Durant went on to finish with eight birdies and an eagle, and posted his lowest round since joining the tour in April.Id have a good birdie, then Id three-putt the next hole, said Durant, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour. I kept giving (the birdies) right back. But I was fortunate to make a birdie on No. 18 to turn (his first nine holes) at 1 under.After that, I felt that I was onto something. I made some good putts. The greens were very receptive, and the ball was rolling good. You could do some stuff out there.Roger Chapman and Scott Dunlap shot 65. Kirk Triplett, a two-time winner this season, was another stroke back along with Bill Glasson, Mike Goodes, John Riegger and Rocco Mediate.Colin Montgomerie opened with a 69. A two-time major winner this season, Montgomerie is second in the Charles Schwab Cup standings — 771 points behind Bernhard Langer with three events left.Langer is skipping the tournament after finishing third last year. He has a tour-high five victories, two of them majors. ' ' '