X Games 16 Women’s Vert Finals

The X Games 16 Women’s Vert Finals took place at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon. The podium looked similar to last year – only the order of the top three winners varied.

Recent high school grad Gaby Ponce took home the gold, defending champ Lyn-z Adams Hawkins the silver and Brazilian Karen Jonz the bronze.

Ponce has been on fire and recently won Vert at the June 2010 Dew Tour stop in Boston, MA.

Final Results

1 Gaby Ponce
2 Lyn-z Adams Hawkins
3 Karen Jonz
4 Mimi Knoop
5 Cara-Beth Burnside
6 Nora Vasconcellos
7 Allysha Bergado
8 Julie Kindstrand

Related Posts:
X Games 15: Skateboard Vert Women’s Final Results
X Games 15 Street: Marisa Dal Santo reclaims gold

Duncan-Seraphin claims 8th Molokai-2-Oahu women’s title

Hawaii’s Kanesa Duncan-Seraphin,  the ‘Queen of Paddleboard’’, claimed her 8th Molokai-2-Oahu paddleboard title on July 25th, 2010 completing the 32-mile distance in a time of 6:02:45 – less than 10 minutes shy of the record she set in 2004.

Duncan-Seraphin said: “It was a fairly fast course, but it was technical. The bumps were very close together and you really had to stay focused. I love this race and this was my 10th (year doing it). I’m just stoked to finish. I felt like I had a great race today. This was one of my top 3 performances.”

Victory in the stand-up paddle (SUP) women’s divisions went to Andrea Moller (6:00:00), who set a record for her division. Stand-up paddlers can be faster across the channel than the traditional paddleboarders, as standing upright with the wind at your back, and using a paddle can be of assistance. Moller was two minutes faster than Duncan-Seraphin. The rough surface conditions were a particular test of balance for the SUP contestants.

Renowned as one of the most treacherous bodies of water in the world, the Molokai Channel upheld its reputation during the competition dishing out either high times or heartbreak. One hundred and fifty paddlers started out, eight did not officially finish. Kauai’s Ann Hettinger, 52 and the oldest woman to SUP solo across the channel, had to withdraw after 11 miles when the steering rudder on her paddleboard failed.

COMPLETE RESULTS CAN BE FOUND AT MOLOKAI2OAHU.COM

Ashley Fiolek wins gold at X Games

For the last two years, Jessica Patterson has been so close to getting an X Games gold medal that she could almost taste it. Last year after leading almost every lap in the Moto X Super X, JP narrowly lost to teen phenom Ashley Fiolek.

This year, Jessica’s been hard at work to make sure she brings home the gold. She not only switched to a new team, but also switched from Honda to Yamaha. With the help of her trainer, Ryan Hughes, she arrived at X Games 16 feeling confident.

But once again it was Fiolek who took the gold medal in the women’s super X final with a time of 6:37.14. This is her second gold medal in this event at the X Games.

Fiolek led the entire race, with Jessica Patterson right behind as usual. Patterson nearly overtook Fiolek, but crashed in the fifth lap of the six-lap race. She did not move for several minutes as medics attended to her, but she was able to walk off the course.

Tarah Geiger won the silver medal, and Sara Price took the bronze.

Though she didn’t make the podium, check out this video of Patterson’s awesome skills.

Full results

13-year-old girl in a league of her own

Chelsea Baker, a 13-year-old Floridian, has beat the boys with her wicked 65 mph knuckle ball. Being the only girl on a boys-only Little League team can’t be easy but Baker certainly makes it look that way. Over the past four years, her teams have lost just eight of their 105 games. But don’t blame Chelsea, because she has yet to lose a sanctioned game, and she’s pitched not one, but two perfect games.

She was recently profiled by ESPN’s newsmagazine “E:60″. The piece is narrated by actress Geena Davis, who said Chelsea’s tale was magical, including her knack for baffling and befuddling the boys.

Baker and her family, who live in Plant City near Tampa, are used to negative comments from opposing players and parents. As Baker’s mother, Missy Mason Baker, tells ESPN, “‘Go play softball with the girls’ — we get that a lot, and we have gotten that a lot over the last three years.” Most of those parents are probably trying to protect their sons from being victimized by Baker’s wicked pitching.

Chelsea says, “After I usually strike somebody out with a knuckleball, they sometimes start crying back to the dugout, and a lot of them just like open their mouth like they can’t believe it.” With 127 strikeouts in 60 innings this past season, there probably have been a lot of open mouths and quite a few tears shed.

Chelsea talks on camera about her 65 mph fastball and her strikeout pitch, a knuckleball she learned from Joe Niekro, a former Major League pitcher and Plant City resident who died in 2006. Chelsea called Nieko “Coach Joe,” and said it took some coaxing to get him to share his famous pitch. She wrote a tribute to him after he died and placed a baseball he had given her in his casket.

It’s not surprising that Chelsea dominates on the mound, only that she has managed to make it this far. Most girls are informed that baseball is for boys and softball is for girls. But there’s really no reason why girls can’t play baseball. While there’s no rule against including girls on baseball teams, they’re often met with opposition from coaches or players.

Chelsea provides some hope for the future of women in male-dominated sports, especially because she may be the best Little Leaguer and perhaps even one of the best baseball players of all-time one day.

As she heads into the eighth grade, high school is right around the corner — and that means trying out for the baseball team, which she’ll likely do. According to her interview with ESPN, Chelsea wants to eventually play in the pros, and while she’ll likely face the barriers that every woman who wants to play professionally in a male-dominated sport faces, just try and stop her, especially if she keeps bringing batters to tears with that killer knuckleball.

So remember the name Chelsea Baker. She could be a pioneer.

Check out this video of her story.

Related Posts:
Female pitcher Yoshida signs with U.S. men’s team
Japan’s first female professional baseball player makes debut

North Face for all seasons

North Face seems an obvious choice for winter, but as one of the most widely recognized outdoor brands in the world, it’s a really great choice for all seasons. Launched in San Francisco in the 1960’s, The North Face mission partly lies in outfitting extreme alpinists and rock climbers, skiers and boarders, hikers and trail runners.

Even though their roots are in rugged gear, the casual adventurer is not forgotten. The North Face also outfits adventure travelers with apparel, footwear, tents, packs and sleeping bags that survive any conditions, any activity, any location. In particular, North Face offers a number of fleece and shell products that perform as well as other more technical garments at a great price.

A popular choice for a softshell/windproof jacket is the WindWall Fleece which packs in great features & quality. The genius of the WindWall Fleece – which is North Face’s exclusive fabric – is it allows a little bit of air through for breathability, but not so much that you can feel it, resulting in a seriously comfortable jacket whether climbing, hiking or walking. Insulation wise, WindWall Fleece is an excellent partner to a base layer or underneath a shell for when things get a bit nippy.

Another great choice is the North Face Resolve Jacket – a classic waterproof shell garment. If you’ re just starting to get outdoors on a regular basis, and want to have a jacket that doesn’t break the bank, but will let you perform well and keep dry, the Resolve Jacket is ideal. It does this by using North Faces’ own HyVent fabric which ensures water stays away and keep you comfortable when out in the elements. The technology utilizes a three-layer construction to stay simultaneously breathable and waterproof in a variety of conditions.

A fully adjustable hood folds neatly away into the collar for convenience while travelling and exploring. The Resolve also features a mesh lining that protects the interior surface from snagging. Overall this is a light and versatile shell which is best suited to Summer or Fall use but works well in the Winter for general urban use.

Both these jackets are all-purpose favorites of girls everywhere. They’re fashionable and functional for everything from walking to school  to weekend hiking.  And they’ll  look good even after a summer backpacking trip or camping adventure.

Take a hike (with the right footwear)

Hiking shoes or boots are an essential part of any outdoor wardrobe. From waterproof sandals to lightweight walking shoes or protective boots, choosing the right footwear may be the most important decision you make as a hiker or backpacker. The shoes or boots you choose must be comfortable and rugged, mile after mile.

Outdoor footwear can be divided into a few basic categories. Begin your search for the right shoes or boots  by focusing on the category that best matches your hiking or backpacking plans.

• Light hiking—Pick footwear designed principally for day hiking. These are usually  light-weight and  flexible, and allow for comfort and breathability. As a result, they may be less supportive and durable than your other options.
• Hiking and backpacking— Pick shoes or boots designed for on- and off-trail hiking with light to moderate loads. These are more durable and supportive than lightweight shoes, but they are still intended primarily for short to moderate trips over easy to moderate terrain.
• Extended backpacking and mountaineering—Pick mid or high cut boots designed for on- and off-trail, multiday hiking with moderate to heavy backpacking loads. Durable and supportive, they provide a high degree of ankle and foot protection.

Which is the right cut for you?

• Low-cut —These shoes are fine for lightweight travel, but they provide less roll-resistance for ankle joints. Plus, on muddy routes or trails filled with  grit or sand, it’s tough to keep debris out of your shoes. They’re a good choice for lighter loads on maintained trails.
• Mid-cut —These boots wrap around your ankles and offer some cushioning and protection from debris and hazards. They’re a smart pick for shorter multiday trips with moderate loads.
• High-cut —These boots give you leverage and ankle support on irregular trails or cross-country routes. If you routinely carry heavier loads, high cuts make good sense. Be sure, however, to take the time to break them in before a long-distance trip.

Hiking sandals have become really popular and are useful on those hot summer days and  evenings. If you plan to hike and wearing boots or shoes seem to be too heavy for your feet, then opt for a pair of sandals and keep your feet protected without the unnecessary bulk. They’re ideal for extended trips on the river or easy hiking where your feet are sure to get soaked.

Hikers  also like newer, lightweight shoes and the comfort factor they offer over traditional boots. They’re really great for long and short walks or even just messing around. However, walking shoes are no replacement for hiking boots when the ground is poor and distance is great.

Waterproof boots are always a good choice as well, whether taking an outdoor stroll or  a serious trek.

Know Your Materials

The materials used in a  boot or trail shoe will affect its weight, breathability, durability and water resistance. Since boots made of different fabrics can be similar in performance, personal preference is often the key when choosing between them.

• Full-grain leather—This is your best choice for durability and abrasion resistance. It resists water well and is used primarily in backpacking boots built for extended trips, heavy loads and rugged terrain. Full-grain leather is not as lightweight or breathable as nylon/split grain combinations and it usually requires a break-in period.
• Split-grain leather—This material is usually paired with nylon or nylon mesh to offer lightweight, breathable comfort. Split-grain leather tends to be softer on your feet, takes less time to break in and is lighter than full-grain leather. These boots also cost less. The downside is that they are a bit less resistant to water and abrasion than full-grain leather boots).
• Nubuck leather—Nubuck is full-grain leather that has been buffed to resemble suede. It is very durable and resists water and abrasion. It usually requires a break-in period.
• Synthetic materials—Polyester, nylon and so-called “synthetic leather” are all commonly used materials. They are lighter than actual leather, break in quickly and usually cost a bit less. The downside is that they may show wear sooner.

PRETTY TOUGH TIP: The waterproofness (or water resistance) of your hiking boots depends significantly on how well you treat them. Be sure to follow all care instructions  so that they can perform well and last a long time.

Get the Right Fit

Once you’ve narrowed down your options to a handful of boots or shoes, the best way to decide between them is to try them on and give them a test drive.

Different brands and styles will fit differently. A good fit allows you to easily wiggle your toes inside the footwear. Feet should not slide around inside footwear. Good-fitting boots hold feet firmly without binding.

When trying on shoes, walk on inclines and declines. If you detect heel-lift on inclines, adjust the tension of your laces atop the instep and try the incline again. On declines, toes should not feel too compacted in the toebox.

PRETTY TOUGH TIP: Bring along a pair of your own hiking socks when trying on shoes in store. And it’s best to try on footwear later in the day; feet tend to swell a bit during the day.

Boot Care Basics

Keep your boots and trail shoes clean between uses by brushing off dirt and mud as both can ruin leather over time. Most fabric boots and shoes can be washed on the outside with mild soap and water.

If your boots get drenched, stuff them loosely with newspaper and dry them in a warm place. Never rush the drying process by placing them near a fire or heater.

Boots need to be conditioned from time to time, especially if they’re made of leather. This is true whether you hike in dry, hot conditions or wet, temperate ones.

So now that you know how to treat your feet right —  get moving!

WPS Week 15

Even without counting the mid-week games, this week was the highest-scoring in WPS history. The Philadelhpia Independence took Sky Blue FC down with a 4-1 score, FC Gold Pride beat the Washington Freedom by the same score, and the Boston Breakers defeated the Chicago Red Stars in 5 minutes by a score of 3-1 over the weekend. The mid-week matchups consisted of a 1-0 win for the Atlanta Beat over Chicago, and a 2-1 win for the Pride against Boston.

Jordan Angeli gave the Breakers a lead in the 30th minute of a Kristine Lilly Cross. However, FC Gold Pride managed to do what rarely happens in WPS; they came back to win it 2-1. A minute later, Aly Riley crossed a ball into the box for Christine Sinclair to equalize. Marta netted home the game winner just before the halftime whistle blew, and the score remained for the rest of the match. FC Gold Pride are well of and it seems they have gotten away with 1st place in the standings. They will very likely host the Championship match on September 26.

Atlanta finally got a winning streak this year after defeating the Red Stars on Wednesday night. This time, Aluko scored the lone goal with a header in the 56th minute, and the rest was a defensive game for the Beat. The Beat are still in last place in the standings with 13 points, and still aren’t completely out of the playoff race. Chicago is in 6th with 17 points.

On Saturday, Philly scored 4 goals against Sky Blue FC, who were running under their new coach, Rick Stainton, and it took a rookie defender to get a consolation goal. Joana Lohman scored first, heading a cross from Caroline Seger into the goal in the 6th minute. A minute later, Seger once again posted an assist and played a perfect long pass to Amy Rodriguez who finished off with a great strike over Kristin Luckenbill. In teh 21st minute, Holmfridur Magnusdottir scored her first WPS goal byr unning down the left flank as always, and taking a shot from inside the box to make it 3-0. In the 2nd half, Seger and Rodriguez once again connected on a simlar play, but this time Rodriguez took a few touches on the ball, and curved a shot past Luckenbill. In the 81st minute, Brittany Taylor ran right through the midfield, and kicked a shot that beat Val Henderson to the goal. Philly are still in 2nd place, well behind FC Gold Pride with 24 points, but well ahead of the 3rd place Boston Breakers who have 19 points.

As if things for the Washington Freedom couldn’t get worse. SInce the beginning, they had been one of the best teams, but lately they haven’t been on the good end of things. On Saturday, after a devasting 3-1 deficit, Erin McLeod went down with what looked like a serious knee injury. With all substitutes used, Cat Whitehill had to thrown on the goalkeeper jersey and gloves, and Tiffeny Milbrett increased the Pride’s lead to 4-1. It wa Milbrett who opened the scoring in the 18th minute as she scored on her own rebound. The Freedom equalized in the 48th minute after Cat Whitehill kicked one of her classic free kicks into the penatly area. Beverly Goebel got her head on it, and a sliding Abby Wambach deflected it into goal. In the 60th minute, Christine Sinclair took advantage of numbers in the Freedom attack and started the counter. She played a through ball to Marta who beat McLeod to make it 2-1. 25 minutes later, Marta scored her second goal of the night, and 13th of the season, after cutting around McLeod and scoring into the open net. In that play, a defender who was chasing Marta kicked McLeod in the knee forcing it to bend in a way it shouldn’t, and that was the end of McLeod for the day, and possibly the season, but I can’t confirm anything until WPS says something. Milbrett scored her 2nd goal late in the game, taking advantage of a a defender in goal.

The last match of the week was between the Chicago Red Stars and the Boston Breakers. Within 5 minutes, the Breakers won the game scoring 3 goals. The Red Stars were able to pull one back in the 2nd half. Kelly Smith scored the first goal in the 9th minute blasting a shot past Jillian Lyoden. 3 minutes later, she scored again after Lindsay Tarpley set her up on a counter attack beating Loyden once again. Two minutes later Smith took part in the Breakers’ third goal this time getting an assist as she took afree kick which Ifeoma Dieke headed into the goal. In the 8th minute, Kosovare Asllani took a free kick that went through everyone in the box and into the goal. With the win, the Breakers jumped up to 3rd place in the standings past the Freedom and Sky Blue FC.

Next week:

• Washington Freedom @ Atlanta Beat: Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET
• Chicago Red Stars @ Philadelphia Independence: Wednesday, 7 pm ET
• Freedom @ Boston Breakers: Saturday, 6pm ET
• FC Gold Pride @ Atlanta: Sunday, 5pm ET, live on FSC
• Chicago @ Sky Blue FC: Sunday, 7 pm ET

PUMA launches Project Pink

On the heels of the biggest soccer event in the world (do you remember a little tournament in South Africa this summer called the World Cup?), sports brand PUMA is excited to announce a new initiative that links women’s soccer with a well-deserving cause: launching this month, PUMA’s Project Pink will strive to raise awareness — and funds — in support of the fight against breast cancer.

In conjunction with their partnership with Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), PUMA will outfit some of the best female players in the world in special Project Pink kits for five WPS matches. The brand has also created a range of Project Pink merchandise that will be available for purchase beginning this summer and continuing through Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Profits from the sale of PUMA’s Project Pink gear will be donated to a nonprofit committed to breast cancer awareness or research; the beneficiary will be named as the result of a national online voting campaign.

In true PUMA fashion, with an eye on both engaging and empowering the female soccer community, the brand is giving consumers a voice. Launching July 31, PUMA is hosting a forum at wps.pumafootball.com/projectpink that invites interaction with the Project Pink initiative. The site allows for the nomination of breast cancer charities with nonprofit status; supporters can then log on to vote for the winner, who will ultimately receive a donation consisting of 100% of the profits from the sale of PUMA Project Pink product. The nomination period will open on August 7; voting will begin on September 13. The crowd favorite will be announced and the donation made in late October.

WPS teams including the Boston Breakers, Washington Freedom, FC Gold Pride, Philadelphia Independence, and Sky Blue FC have joined with PUMA to rally behind Project Pink, designating matches in July and August to help raise awareness for the cause. Players from each home team will sport special Project Pink kits developed by PUMA, and PUMA’s Project Pink match ball will be utilized throughout each game. Project Pink-themed activities will also be hosted in pre-game Fanzones and throughout the matches. WPS teams the Atlanta Beat and Chicago Red Stars will also support Project Pink with events later in the season.

Project Pink game dates are as follows:

• · Boston Breakers v. Washington Freedom/July 31 at Harvard Stadium
• · FC Gold Pride v. Chicago Red Stars/August 7 at Pioneer Stadium
• · Philadelphia Independence v. Boston Breakers/August 8 at John A. Farrell Stadium
• Sky Blue FC v. Washington Freedom/August 11 at Yurcak Field
• · Washington Freedom v. Sky Blue FC/August 28 at Maryland SoccerPlex

PUMA athlete and Philadelphia Independence goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc will be serving, along with fellow players and PUMA athletes Leslie Osborne (Boston Breakers) and Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence), as a spokeswoman for the Project Pink cause. “As a woman in sports, I always support promoting an active, healthy lifestyle,” LeBlanc explained. “Plus, a number of my close friends and family have been affected by breast cancer. I’m out here doing what I love, and any chance I have to be a part of a project like this to show my passion for what I do and link with a good cause is a no-brainer.

Outdoor Adventure: Dress for success

Whether it’s fleece  or base layers,  sun-safe tops and pants, or shades to protect your peepers, the right outdoor clothing and gear is essential to a successful outdoor adventure.

Summer or winter,  it’s equally important to consider your choices, especially for a base layer.  If you’re looking for  a comfort boost, the first thing you’ll want to do is ditch  that concert T-shirt and upgrade to a moisture-wicking base layer. Wearing cotton on a serious outdoor excursion is almost always a mistake.

Wicking underwear can benefit any physically active person—from athletes to outdoor workers—and is a must for everyone, whatever the season. As the next-to-skin layer of any layering system, its role is to move moisture away from your body.

Though classified as “underwear,” most of these garments are  appropriate for use as stand-alone articles of clothing. Microweight and lightweight T-shirts are standard summertime attire for active outdoor types—when hiking, riding, climbing, taking training runs —and they’re excellent for gym workouts.

When selecting tops and bottoms for use as base layers, anticipate the conditions you’ll be facing. Here are some  guidelines:

• Microweight: For mild to cool conditions.
• Lightweight: Cool to moderately cold conditions.
• Midweight: Moderately cold to cold conditions.
• Heavyweight: Cold, frigid or blustery conditions.

Some people get cold easily. If so, consider choosing a heavier fabric. Just avoid overdoing it. Conditions may become unexpectedly mild and a mid-or heavyweight first layer could be too much  during vigorous activity.

Remember that the warmer the conditions, the looser you want your base layer to be. Snug-fitting base layers keep body-generated warmth close to your skin, boosting comfort in cool conditions. When temperatures heat up, it’s best to let your next-to-skin layers hang loose to accommodate lots of air circulation.

Base layers come in wool, synthetic and silk and your choice will be based on personal preference (and perhaps price since merino wool is a natural fiber and slightly more expensive).

You may feel like wool is too hot but that notion is generally unfounded. Even if you sweat a lot, wool dries  reasonably quickly, particularly when exposed to moving air.  And the stink index is usually nonexistent, another positive of wool.

Make sure you have an assortment of synthetics as well, which technically dry faster than wool but also keep in mind the comfort and low-odor factor delivered by wool when shopping for outdoor clothing.

National Dance Day and Glee Camp

For better or worse,  FOX television has a huge influence over popular culture.  To prove that point, summer activities based on a couple of  the network’s TV shows look to be a hit with adults and kids alike.   Both of these shows are personal favorites so am happy to see off-the-couch options for fans of “Glee” and “So You Think You Can Dance”.

National Dance Day

National Dance Day, a grassroots movement taking place on Saturday, July 31 encourages the people of this nation to get up and move. Created by Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer and co-creator of the hit FOX series “So You Think You Can Dance” , the aim of National Dance Day is to promote health and self-esteem through the art form of dance.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a long-time proponent of healthy lifestyles, will introduce a National Dance Day resolution at a press conference on Saturday, July 31 in Washington, D.C., to promote dance education and physical fitness across the U.S.

“More than 30 percent of Americans are obese, and childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years,” said Norton. “Television shows such as SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE are not only entertaining but are also encouraging people to live a physically active lifestyle. Holding a National Dance Day in the nation’s capital is a terrific way to promote fitness and fight obesity.”

Additionally, Congresswoman Norton will host her own National Dance Day flash mob on the National Mall (between 3rd St & 4th St SW) from 1:00-5:00 PM featuring local dance enthusiasts, representatives from dance schools and organizations and former SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE finalists.

“National Dance Day belongs to the people” said Lythgoe. “It is my hope that countless exciting dance ideas will come to fruition on National Dance Day, like the world’s longest conga line in Miami or the world’s longest kick line in front of Radio City Music Hall or scores of breakdancers taking over the Venice boardwalk. The sky is the limit.”

Glee Camp

The Emmy-nominated, audience fave show Glee has also spawned some summer fun. Lucky Gleeks can now participate in a case of life imitating art at one of the many Glee-themed summer camps now open.

The Charlotte Academy of Music and The Beverly Arts Center of Chicago are just two of dozens of programs (others have been reported, by the Chicago Tribune, to exist in North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Indiana and Utah) in which tweens and teens are learning song and dance routines plucked straight from the series.

Some of these camps’ curricula also include the penning of original scripts using Glee’s characters, while others’ encompass workshops that touch on the themes of self-confidence for which the show is widely celebrated.

Sound like fun?  Whether you love dusty rock classics or are just inspired by how a TV show can elevate your mood, put your dancing shoes on and strut your stuff.

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