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ARE, Sweden - Olympic champion Marielle Thompsons pursuit of a second skicross World Cup title will go down to the wire. Michael Brantley Jersey . Thompson, of Whistler, B.C., was fourth in Sundays race while rival Fanny Smith of Switzerland finished first, cutting Thompsons lead in the overall standings to just five points with only next weekends World Cup finals in France left to go. Ophelie David of France was second while Vancouvers Georgia Simmerling was third. "The overall is pretty exciting — for both the women and the men," said Thompson, who has 655 points compared to Smiths 650. "In the final, I was leading into the first turn and then Ophelie passed me and I got pushed into the powder and lost all my speed. Thats how she goes sometimes." Simmerling won her first heat Sunday and was second in her quarter- and semifinals to advance to the big final. "It was good today. I had to fight hard and it all came together," Simmerling said. "I messed up my timing on one of the features at the end of the start and I was fourth. Then Marielle (fell back) and the three of us just ended up 1-2-3. "Ive had a pretty consistent year, I would say. Theres one more race to go and Im hoping for a strong result again." Danie Sundquist, of Calgary was third in her first heat and finished 20th overall. Olympic silver medallist Kelsey Serwa, of Kelowna, B.C., did not participate as she took the post-Olympic season off. On the mens side, Austrias Thomas Zangerl finished first while teammate Andreas Matt was second. Armin Niederer of Switzerland picked up the bronze. Mathieu Leduc of Comox, B.C., was the top Canadian, finishing eighth. "It was definitely nice to see I can compete with the top guys," Leduc said. "Im just hoping to establish myself on the World Cup and put my name in there. "Im learning from my mistakes and trying to bank all my experiences and put them to good use." Calgarys Brady Leman and Montreals Chris Del Bosco did not advance past their first heats. Louis-Pierre Helie, of Berthierville, Que., did not finish his qualification run, while Tristan Tafel, of Canmore, Alta., did not qualify for the round of 32 heats. Canada sits second (1,898) behind Switzerland (2,124) in the ski cross Nations Cup standings with one race to go. Bob Feller Authentic Jersey. All that matters to the son of a high school coaching legend is that hes the one they selected. "Its been my life-long dream to be an NFL head coach," Pettine said Thursday, "and however that opportunity presents itself, its fine with me. Michael Bourn Jersey . Louis that coach Randy Carlyle termed "brain-dead" and with the league-leading Chicago Blackhawks in town.INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning still holds Indianapolis in a special place. Even if Denver is opening the season against his former team. Two days after Manning found out his rematch with the Colts would be the first Sunday night game of the NFLs season, the reigning MVP returned to town for a very different reason -- to help host an annual fundraiser for the Peyton Manning Childrens Hospital at St. Vincent. Its the first time Manning has been back since his emotional October homecoming ended with Denvers first loss of the season. "I had a pretty good feeling that game (Colts-Broncos) would be on TV," Manning said as reporters laughed. "Its a tough schedule with three playoff teams (Indy, Kansas City and Seattle) right off the bat and we play the Colts right at the start. Theyre a good team, they were right there at the end and we know theyll be an excellent opponent." Manning expects the Colts to be so good, in fact, that after taking a quick peek at the schedule Thursday, the record-breaking quarterback changed his plans and immediately returned to the weight room. His teammates soon followed. What else are players to do when they see the only five-time MVP in league history going in for another overtime session? For Manning, theres plenty at stake this season. Hes coming off a year in which he proved he was back to his old ways by breaking NFL records for yards passing and TD passes and then won a third AFC title before a devastating blowout loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl. He wasnt even sure hed be back this year until doctors examined his surgically-repaired neck. Now, the 38-year-old Manning says, he intends to keep playing as long as his body allows it and as long as the Broncos want to keep him. But this weekend is one of those rare times Manning pushes football to the back burner. Following Thursdays workouts in Denver, Manning flew to Indianapolis and spent Friday with patients and their families at the hospital that bears his name. On Saturday night, he planned to add to the $7 million-plus tottal he helped raise over the last six years at the Celebration of Caring Gala. Satchel Paige Authentic Jersey. This is the third straight year hes come from Denver to attend the event. "Its one of the best teams that Ive ever been part of," Manning said, referring to the people hes met at the hospital. "Im not sure who are the bigger heroes -- the patients or the staff. Its truly inspiring." Reporters were not allowed inside the FedEx Aircraft Hangar where the event was held because of security reasons, but Manning has traditionally raised money by auctioning off a vast array of autographed items from some of the biggest names in sports and beyond. Two years ago, the prizes included an autographed item from Mother Theresa and a clipping from a contract signed by Marilyn Monroe. Manning became such an ingrained part of the Indianapolis community that its still hard for some Colts fans to accept he plays for Denver. Its not any easier for Manning. Before his first career game against the Colts, Manning interrupted his pregame warm-ups to mouth the words "thank you" after a two-minute video tribute played on the stadiums large video boards. Denver wound up losing 39-33. A couple of weeks ago, Manning and some of his ex-Colts teammates got together for a golf trip and they started texting some of their former teammates who werent there. And when team owner Jim Irsay was arrested last month on suspicion of intoxicated driving and other charges, Manning said he contacted Irsay though he wouldnt elaborate on what the message was. "Thats a private topic," Manning said. "Its very private and very personal." So it wouldnt be surprising if Mannings emotions come rushing back again when he faces Andrew Lucks Colts again on Sept. 7, this time in Denver. And to the surprise of nobody, hes already working on a solution. "Its nice that the schedule comes out during our off-season workouts," he said, "because its a reminder of how hard you have to work to get where you want to go." cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
