Teen wins women’s Wakeboard World Cup in upset victory

We’ve written about teen wakeboarder Raimi Merritt many times as she’s been pulling out surprising wins ever since turning pro at the age of fourteen.

In another stunning upset victory, 16-year-old Merritt beat out the world’s top women riders to win gold at the IWSF Wakeboard World Cup Championships in Liuzhou, China last weekend. The competitors for the prestigious, invitation-only event included X Games and World Champion Dallas Friday (USA), former World Champion Amber Wing (AUS), Queen of Wake Pro Tour Champion Nicola Butler (GBR), and Asia/Australasia Champion Chen LiLi (CHN).

Despite the challenging water conditions of the Liu River and the pressure of 50,000 spectators, Merritt led each of her qualifying heats to secure the last start off of the dock in the final round. Top-seeded rider Dallas Friday performed well in the finals, scoring 60.69, but Merritt’s two passes in the finals were flawless. Her first pass included a 911, front roll, heel-side grab, a toe five, and a heel three. Her second pass featured an s-bend, toe-side back roll, tantrum, scarecrow, and wrapped KGB. The tricks earned her a score of 62.78 and the women’s Wakeboard World Cup title.

Merritt was surprised by her performance. “Getting first place was amazing,” said Merritt. “The water was really rolling and rough because of other boats and the backwash on the river. I went last in both the semis and the finals, so I had the privilege of watching the other girls ride before me. It looked pretty bad out there, but once you were actually out on the water, it was even worse. I just watched and saw what the girls did. I knew what I needed to do if I wanted to get the gold, so I went out there and tried my best and pulled it together.”

Merritt’s win in China marks her third World Cup title since turning pro two years ago. In 2008, the teenager took gold at the IWSF World Cups in Qatar and Egypt. This past year, Merritt also took second place in the World Games in Taiwan, the Wake Games in Orlando, and the WWA Wake Park World Championships in the Philippines.

Charlize Theron provides soccer opportunities to deserving kids

I’m a huge fan of Charlize Theron so was delighted to learn that she’s a celeb who gives back. As a native of South Africa, it makes sense  that her charitable efforts focus on the youth of her struggling but extraordinary country.

The Charlize Theron African Outreach Project and the LAFC Chelsea Soccer Club have joined forces to give kids living in underserved communities – in Southern California and Umkhanyakude District of the KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa – more opportunities to play competitive soccer.

This new collaboration will be made official during the upcoming match on July 21, between two of the world’s top international teams – Chelsea FC and Inter Milan. These soccer powerhouses, who have not competed in the United States for fifteen years, will face off in front an expected 90,000 fans at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, and will be televised world-wide on ESPN. Net proceeds from this spectacular match will benefit LAFC Chelsea, one of America’s most successful and prominent youth soccer clubs.

The fundraising event will help continue LAFC Chelsea’s mission to give economically challenged youth living in Southern California real opportunities to play competitive soccer as a means to keeping them in school through graduation. Money raised will also allow LAFC Chelsea to help expand its reach, building a viable youth soccer club in a rural community of South Africa in cooperation with Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP).

“LAFC Chelsea has always been focused on leading economically challenged young people to brighter futures and a better life through the universal sport of soccer,” says Don Sheppard, President of LAFC Chelsea. “When I learned about Charlize’s incredible plan to give sustainable opportunities to young South Africans who are at enormous risk, I knew that LAFC Chelsea was in position to help.”

With World Cup 2010 on African soil for the very first time, CTAOP wants to put a spotlight on the urgent need to provide sustainable health, education and recreational resources to remote areas where HIV/AIDS rates are unacceptably high. As part of CTAOP’s plan, LAFC Chelsea has made a three-year commitment to help build a community-wide soccer program for the schools in the Umkhanyakude District. This includes uniforms, cleats, balls and equipment, along with professional training for local coaches, referees and administrators. The soccer league training will also include life-saving health education administered through a CTAOP-funded mobile health program.

“Our goal is to help truly create a safer, healthier and better life for the young people in South Africa, especially those living in remote areas, and to ensure that the resources we bring are self sustaining. The three year commitment is so incredible and key to being sure that the program will be around for many years to come,” says Charlize Theron. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to Don and LAFC Chelsea for their commitment to help us give these beautiful, young people a recreational outlet that is sorely lacking from their lives.”

Tickets: Never before has Southern California seen over 40 World Cup players and 6 National Team Captains all taking the field at the Rose Bowl. Individual ticket prices are $35, $55, $75, and $100. To buy individual tickets, just go to www.lafcsoccer.com or call TicketMaster at 800-745-3000. For group tickets, VIP tickets, or luxury boxes, call 1-818-952-LAFC.

Tenth anniversary of USA’s 1999 Women’s World Cup title not much of a party

It was billed as a party to celebrate the WNT’s accomplishments ten years ago, when the United States defeated China in a penalty kick shootout at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The game, played in front of a crowd of 90,185, remains the best-attended women’s sporting event in history and raised the profile of women’s soccer globally for years to come.

The first-place Los Angeles Sol recognized Mia Hamm and Joy Fawcett, two members of the U.S. Team that captured the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Championship, on Sunday, June 21, at The Home Depot Center when they played FC Gold Pride (Bay Area).

Hamm and Fawcett were honored in a subdued halftime ceremony.  Two Gold Pride players were also members of the 1999 U.S. team, Brandi Chastain and Tiffeny Milbrett, but only Milbrett showed up to play.

There were colorful signs in the stands and plenty of fans ready to relive the glory days of the 1999 championship but the opportunity came and went without the party ever taking off.

All seven Women’s Professional Soccer franchises will feature a 10th Anniversary Tribute Day at one of their home games this summer.  In addition to Hamm and  Fawcett, Lorrie Fair, Tiffany Roberts, Tisha Venturini, Danielle Fotopolous and others on the gold-medal winning side will be recognized at venues throughout the league.

Hope some of those celebrations are more fun than the one at the Home Depot Center.  Fortunately the Sol won Sunday’s game with a couple of dramatic goals in the first half so the day still ended on a positive note.

With the victory, the Sol remains comfortably atop the WPS standings with an 8-1-4 record (28 points), while FC Gold Pride falls to 3-6-3 (12 pts.).  Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc made three saves to register her WPS-leading ninth shutout, while midfielder Camile Abily notched her league-best seventh goal of the season.

Party like it’s 1999

The year was 1999.  A team of inspired women and a tournament of historic proportions captured the hearts and minds of an entire nation.  I was just a young girl (well not that young) and one of 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl  watching the epic final and witnessing history.

The 1999 Women’s World Cup ran from June 19-July 10, 1999, in packed stadiums across the United States, raising the profile of women’s soccer globally, creating new heroes in the sport and setting the bar for future FIFA Women’s World Cup™ tournaments

Now, 10 years later, U.S. Soccer and Women’s Professional Soccer will honor the legacy of that tournament and the legends from the World Cup-winning U.S. Women’s National Team at WPS games throughout late June and early July.

Working with U.S. Soccer, all seven WPS franchises will feature a 10th Anniversary Tribute Day at one of their WPS home games coinciding with the anniversary of the tournament dates of the 1999 Women’s World Cup. Former U.S. Women’s National Team players will make appearances, sign autographs and be recognized for their accomplishments ten years ago.

Remembering ’99 Tribute Schedule

Date	Match	Stadium	TV Game	Tickets
Saturday, June 20	Saint Louis vs. Washington	AB Soccer Park		Tickets
Sunday, June 21	Los Angeles vs. FC Gold Pride	Home Depot Center	Fox Soccer Channel	Tickets
Saturday, July 4	Sky Blue FC vs. Boston	Yurcak Field		Tickets
Sunday, July 5	FC Gold Pride vs. Saint Louis	Buck Shaw Stadium		Tickets
Sunday, July 5	Washington vs. Los Angeles	Maryland SoccerPlex	Fox Soccer Channel	Tickets
Sunday, July 12	Boston vs. Sky Blue FC	Harvard Stadium	Fox Soccer Channel	Tickets
Sunday, July 12	Chicago vs. Bay Area	Toyota Park	Comcast	Tickets

Retired players from the 1999 World Cup team making appearances will include: Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, Lorrie Fair, Tiffany Roberts, Tisha Venturini and Danielle Fotopolous among others. WPS currently has five 99ers playing in the league: Brandi Chastain (FC Gold Pride), Kristine Lilly (Boston Breakers), Tiffeny Milbrett(FC Gold Pride), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC) and Briana Scurry (Washington Freedom).

Beyond the on-site events, the WPS league website (www.womensprosoccer.com) and U.S. Soccer website (ussoccer.com), will feature a unique series called “Remembering ‘99”. Each day from June 19-July 10, a different WPS player or U.S. Soccer legend will provide their memory of the 1999 Women’s World Cup in their own words.

I plan on heading to the Home Depot Center this weekend to relive that moment and to watch the LA Sol honor soccer greats Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, Tiffeny Milbrett and Brandi Chastain.

Should be quite a party!

Chantelle: Getting healthy after an injury

I blew it. My ACL and meniscus that is. For anyone that’s been hurt before, they know it’s never fun. However, there’s lots of things you can do when you’re given an opportunity to sit around all the time, like read books, create art, organize trips, and figure out how you can get healthier faster. That’s what I’ve done, and here’s my tips… for the health part anyway.

1. Attitude. I know it sounds silly, but it’s been scientifically proven over and over again that if you have a good attitude, your healing time will be much shorter than someone who has a bad one. So when your mom says, “Cheer Up”, you should listen. Moms always know.

2. Rest. Yes, I know you’ve probably heard this one too. But, if your body isn’t well rested, then it doesn’t have the energy to heal. To help sleep better, make sure you cut off your caffeine intake and are eating a balanced diet. If your body is healthy, it will create melatonin, which is the natural sleep hormone that will help you fall asleep and stay asleep so your body can heal, heal, heal.

3. Eat less dairy. I know you think drinking milk is going to make your bones stronger, and it will, but when you’re injured, dairy can slow the process of healing faster. I could go into a scientific explanation of why this is, but instead I’ll make it easy. Dairy coats the cell walls, so when your body is trying to heal, it provides an extra layer that it has to penetrate before healing. However, calcium (found in dairy) is still important, it helps you relax, heal, and makes your bones strong. You can find it added to many non-dairy products like orange juice and crackers.

4. Pineapple. If you have an injury like I do, that makes a certain part of your body swollen, pineapple is a great natural anti-inflammatory. It’s an easy way to help your body’s swelling go down, which will, in turn, make it more mobile and heal faster! If you can’t find a ripe pineapple, it’s easy to get the supplement that helps healing. Bromelain formula (which is extracted from pineapple) can be found in any health food store!

5. Herbs. There are many different types of herbs you can take that’ll be beneficial for a healthy body. They have long held an important place in the treatment and prevention of illnesses for hundreds of years. Just like bromelain (pineapple) is an anti-inflammatory, herbs can help treat cuts, wounds, coughs, joints, and well… pretty much anything! For particular injuries, I recommend visiting a health food store, or websites like anniesremedy.com as they have lots of great advice as to what herbs you can use to help your body!

6. Stay away from Aspartame. On top of the many reasons that are coming out all over the world, this fake sweetener will slow healing. Your body should only take in natural sugars from fruit, and raw sugar (in small amounts). Since aspartame isn’t either, your body doesn’t know how to react to it. With your body working on breaking it down, it’ll stop working on healing your injury…

7. Exercise. Even though you’re injured, doesn’t mean you should use it as an excuse to stop exercising all together. For me, my knee is injured, and although I can’t run around, skateboard, and ski anymore, I can still bike, swim, and use weights and my own body to strengthen my injured knee, as well as keep the rest of my body in the same shape it was pre-injury! So keep at it…

8. Drink Water. Water is equally as important when you’re not injured, as it is when your injured! Your body has to stay healthy to heal, and a healthy body is a hydrated one! In addition to drinking water, throwing a couple lemon slices in water will also help clear your body of toxins!

(Ed. Note: Pretty Tough athlete Chantelle Heroux is a champion skier who competes internationally and has a lot of fun on and off the slopes - get well soon CH!)

U.S. Soccer Fan Club

The U.S. Soccer Supporters Club (is that kinda like a fan club?) just sent an email announcing that they’re launching the Official Fan Membership Program of U.S. Soccer (maybe that’s the fan club). Either way, looks like some cool stuff in store for fans of U.S. Soccer (both the men’s and women’s national teams).

From the release:

• Members Receive Exclusive Benefits, Including Priority Access to FIFA World Cup Tickets
• Become a Founding Fan by Joining U.S. Soccer Supporters Club During 2009

CHICAGO (April 15, 2009) — U.S. Soccer is pleased to announce the formation of the U.S. Soccer Supporters Club, the official fan membership program of the U.S. national teams. Officially launched today, fans can sign up at ussoccer.com to join the U.S. Soccer Supporters Club, which will provide exclusive benefits to members while creating a unique platform for the most passionate fans to demonstrate their support.

U.S. Soccer SC members will receive numerous benefits, highlighted by priority status to secure tickets to the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. U.S. Soccer will distribute its ticket allotment from FIFA to those dedicated members of USSSC before holding a general lottery, providing members the best chance to see the U.S. play in biggest sporting event in the world.

Upon enrollment into U.S. Soccer SC this year, members will also receive a U.S. Soccer SC membership card complete with name and a unique ID number, access to exclusive pre-sales for select home U.S. National Team matches, chances to win special behind-the-scenes experiences, a National Team Yearbook, and a limited-edition scarf.

Those fans that join in 2009 will have the opportunity to provide a unique voice to U.S. Soccer SC, serving as Founding Fans in the institution. Founding Fans will be the dominant voice of U.S. Soccer supporters around the world, defining what it means to be a part of U.S. Soccer SC.

Since the dawn of U.S. Soccer’s modern era in 1989, U.S. fans have diligently followed the national teams to five consecutive FIFA World Cups and five consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cups, including two championships. U.S. fans have proven their devotion time and time again, through miles traveled and hours logged roaming around the country with the hope of inspiring a U.S. national team to victory. Popping up all around the globe, from China to Cuba, South Africa to Portugal, U.S. fans have proven their dedication to the teams’ quest for greatness.

Whether fans are looking to attend games with their families or are hardened supporters with numerous caps under their belts, the U.S. Soccer Supporters Club is the definitive way to unite together as fans and be an integral part of the future of U.S. Soccer.

U.S. Soccer SC, the first-ever affiliated membership program, is another step in a larger and more comprehensive outreach initiative to enhance U.S. Soccer fans’ experience. In addition to relationships with local and national unofficial supporters groups, fan outreach initiatives include an annual fan survey, the Official U.S. Soccer Bar program, the Ultimate Fan Ticket package, as well as social networking outlets on facebook.com and Twitter. With fans scattered across the country and internationally, U.S. Soccer will continue to develop programs which will maintain a close relationship to the national teams, as well as fellow U.S. Soccer fans.

All of the benefits below are available for an annual membership fee of $49.95. Enrollment begins today (April 15).

FOUNDING FAN OFFER: Fans joining in 2009 will earn special recognition as Founding Fans with the opportunity to help build U.S. Soccer SC from the ground up, providing a collective voice of U.S. Soccer supporters around the world. These members will receive a special-edition scarf, the annual gift for 2009, so they can proudly display their status as U.S. Soccer SC Founding Fans. Founding Fans will have the opportunity to further influence the ethos of U.S. Soccer SC by helping draft a Fan Constitution.

FIFA WORLD CUP TICKETS: U.S. Soccer SC members will have priority status to purchase 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup tickets through U.S. Soccer, with access ahead of the general public.

OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• U.S. Soccer Supporters Club Membership Card
• Access to exclusive ticket pre-sales for select home U.S. Soccer National Team matches
• A chance to win behind-the-scenes experiences
• Annual Gift
• Men’s or Women’s National Team Yearbook
• Exclusive members-only discount at ussoccerstore.com
• E-mail communications from ussoccer.com

For more information, fans can review our Frequently Asked Questions and Terms and Conditions or visit ussoccer.com.

Clark & Jacobellis capture Cypress wins

You’ll be hearing a lot about Cypress Mountain over the next year. Despite the resort name, there is no actual Cypress Mountain in the area, but it is the name of the Official Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Venue for the 2010 Winter Games offering some of the best conditions in North Vancouver BC.

The half-pipe and the venues for the moguls and aerials were completed in the summer of 2007. Since then, Cypress has been hosting a series of test events attracting all the top winter athletes.

This past weekend, Olympic gold medalists and Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) and Shaun White (Carlsbad, CA) took to what will be the 2010 Olympic pipe to win a World Cup.

Clark led the way for the women for the second weekend in a row with Jiayu Liu of China second and Teter third.

“This is probably the deepest field of athletes we have seen this year from any event. There were some incredible snowboarders here today,” Clark said.

Clark put down a backside 5, frontside 7, cab 3, frontside 5, backside air to win the event.

According to Clark, pipe conditions were such that one had to be on their A game in order to ride it perfectly.

“Today was the best day for the halfpipe. It got a little bit more vert. It’s still a bit soft in the flat bottom. You have to be really technically on top of your game because any edging will slow you down a lot,” Clark said.

Teter was happy to be able to start off her road to the Olympics with a bronze medal in the halfpipe.

“I really liked it [the pipe] my third place is a really good way to start out my experience in this Olympic pipe,” Teter said.

A day earlier, Lindsey Jacobellis’ (Stratton Mountain, VT) maintained her status as the most dominant woman in snowboardcross as she won her event to retain her position as the World Cup SBX leader.

“It’s one of the best courses I have ridden all year,” Jacobellis said. “It flowed really nicely and it’s nice that I did so well.”

Jacobellis won each of her heats, but it was a tactical line that shot her ahead in the final round.

“It feels great and I’m happy to win any race. At the entrance of the first banked turn I was in third and then dropped in low for a pass and drifted up and I felt like I got some speed out of that turn, then I just tried to maintain the lead for the rest of the way down,” Jacobellis said.

According to the winner, however, the fact that she won on what will be the Olympic course was not a factor for her victory celebration Friday.

“It will be the same course builder for the Olympics. But, it’s still a year away. There’s still more competitions to do and I’m just going to take one at a time,” Jacobellis said. “It would be nice to up my medal but I’ll just try to take it one event at a time because it’s still so far away.” 

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 LG SNOWBOARD FIS WORLD CUP
Cypress Mountain, BC – Feb. 14, 2009
Halfpipe

Women
1. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, CO, 42.6
2. Jiayu Liu, China, 39.0
3. Hannah Teter, Belmont, VT, 38.8
4. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO, 37.0
5. Sophir Rodriguez, France, 34.4

Cypress Mountain, BC – Feb. 13, 2009
Snowboardcross

Women
1. Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, VT
2. Olivia Nobs, Switzerland
3. Helene Olafsen, Norway
4. Maelle Ricker, Canada
5. Mellie Francon, Switzerland

Brandi Chastain, 40, drafted by Bay Area’s FC Gold Pride

Brandi Chastain, a pioneer soccer player, will return to the field at age 40.

The FC Gold Pride of the new Women’s Professional Soccer league selected Chastain in the seventh round of Friday’s general draft in St. Louis. The woman who made the winning goal in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final against China should provide a promotional and emotional boost to the Gold Pride, one of the WPS’ seven charter teams that begins play in April.

Although she last played on the U.S. national team in 2004, Chastain has stayed in shape playing for the semi-pro team California Storm with the Gold Pride’s assistant coach Sissi. The two were members for the San Jose CyberRays of the now-defunct Women’s United Soccer Association that folded in 2003.

“We couldn’t be happier that she was available to us in the seventh round,” Gold Pride Coach Albertin Montoya said in a statement. “She is invaluable to this league. Her experience, passion for the game and leadership is among the best in the world. She will definitely help our young players grow as athletes and professionals. Having her is truly priceless and I’m really looking forward to working with Brandi again.”

Snowsports: Maria Riesch claims Maribor

January 11, 2009 – The Ladies Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Giant Slalom and Slalom races took place last weekend in a low mountain range close to Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city.

Nobody came close to German Maria Riesch in the Maribor slalom on Sunday. The U.S. Ski Team’s Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) tied for fourth in the slalom after skiing the fastest second run of the day. Vonn came from 18th place after run one, trying to catch current overall World Cup leader, Riesch, who had a 1.39 second advantage. Riesch won to mark her fourth consecutive slalom victory.

Riesch now leads Lindsey Vonn in the slalom standings, 500 points to Vonn’s 340, and leads the Cup overall with 729 points followed by Tanja Poutiainen with 644 and Vonn with 616

Though Vonn is third in the overall standings, the women are preparing to race six speed events in a row where Vonn, the defending downhill and overall champion, will have a chance to reclaim the lead.

“We’ve had a lot of technical events in a row, but now it’s time for downhill and super G and Lindsey is very fast in both of those. I think it’s her turn now and Tanja [Poutainen] doesn’t compete in either of those,” Riesch said in the finish of Sunday’s slalom.

Next, the women will race a super combined in Altenmark-Zauchensee, followed by a downhill in the same location. Then they’re off to Cortina for more speed races.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 AUDI FIS WORLD CUP
Maribor, Slovenia – Jan. 10, 2009
Women’s Slalom
1. Maria Riesch, Germany, 1:29.64
2. Kathrin Zettel, Austria, 1:30.79
3. Tanja Poutianen, Finland, 1:31.41
4. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:31.68
4. Anja Paerson, Sweden, 1:31.68

Women’s downhill called off in Lake Louise

December 6, 2008 – Today’s women’s World Cup downhill in Lake Louise was called off because heavy snowfalls meant the visibility was too poor to compete.

Organizers twice delayed the start of the second downhill of the season and finally called it off with no sign of a reprieve.

It was not immediately clear whether the race would be rescheduled for a later date in Lake Louise or elsewhere.

American World Cup holder Lindsey Vonn won the first downhill of the winter in Lake Louise on Friday.

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