YOUR DAILY DOSAGE

Friday, 2 July 2010

ASP: Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 1, 2010) - The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, is poised to be one for the ages as the best assemblage of surfing talent in history prepare to do battle on one of the world's greatest canvases, the iconic righthanders of Jeffreys Bay.

After three events this season, the ASP World Tour journeys to South Africa amidst a red-hot ASP World Title race as well as the cutthroat, mid-year field reduction to the ASP Top 32.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, reigning ASP World Champion, has had an uncharacteristically slow start to the season, collecting two 9ths and a Runner Up, putting him in the ASP World No. 4 spot. A former two-time winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (2002, 2006), Fanning will look to regain some magic in South Africa in order to rein in former nine-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 1 Kelly Slater (USA), 38.

"This time last year, I was in fourth position so it's early days," Fanning said. "I'll approach the remainder of the year as if the race is still wide open, which it is. Kelly's had two solid results so hopefully I can narrow the gap with a strong finish at J-Bay."

Source: http://www.aspworldtour.com/2010/news_show.asp?rEvent=aspwct&rcode=14302

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay on Friday, July 15 and run through July 25, 2010.

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will be web LIVE via www.billabongpro.com/jbay10

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Thursday, 1 July 2010

Vuvu statistics

Fan accessory since 1965

Coal mines and Soccer bans

North Korea's footballers risk being sent to the coal mines, while Nigeria get slapped with a two-year ban from international football.

England's World Cup flops should count themselves lucky that their most pressing concern is trial by tabloid.

On their arrival home the North Korean squad was described as 'stony-faced', which could be a bad sign given what former national coach Moon Ki-Nam told reporters after the 7-0 group stage humiliation by Portugal.

What made it worse was that it was beamed live into the reclusive Communist state after they had performed respectably in a 2-1 defeat by five-time champions Brazil in their opening match.

"The players and coach are rewarded with huge houses when they win," said Moon, who fled the country in 2004.

"But they have to atone for losing by being sent to work in the coal mines."

Nigeria flopped at the World Cup, finishing bottom of their group in South Africa with just one point from three matches. They lost to Argentina and Greece and drew with South Korea.

On Wednesday, Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan banned the national team from international competition for two years following their dismal showing.

France's chaotic first-round exit prompted French Football Federation President Jean-Pierre Escalettes to step down.

Escalettes and coach Raymond Domenech have also been called to appear before a parliamentary commission.

Punishment and retribution come in many forms.

The most poignant was the fate that befell Colombia's Andres Escobar, whose own goal in the 1994 World Cup clash with the United States led to a surprise defeat and the fancied South Americans exiting at the first hurdle.

On his return home, Escobar was gunned down, the victim of a contract killing ordered by gangsters who blamed the defender for costing them huge betting losses on the tournament.

Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/WorldCup/TournamentNews/And-you-thought-you-had-it-bad-20100701