Newsmakers

Denied The resilient Lindsey Vonn overcame a concussion and won three titles in three days this month. Yet she was powerless when faced with wet, foggy weather and a decision by skiing’s ruling body to cancel the women’s season finale in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. “Win or lose, I just wanted the chance. I feel devastated,” Vonn said in a statement released by her U.S. team. Vonn was hoping to win a fourth straight overall World Cup title in Saturday’s giant slalom. Instead, friend and rival Maria Riesch’s three-point lead held in the overall standings after the race was called off because of poor course conditions. The final points tally was 1,728-1,725 in Riesch’s favor. The German finally clinched her first title after two straight seasons as runner-up.

Died Former NFL wide receiver Drew Hill, a two-time Pro Bowler who was a key part of the Houston Oilers’ famed “Run and Shoot” offense of the 1980s, died at an Atlanta, Ga., hospital late Friday after suffering two massive strokes at a nearby golf course on Thursday, according to his agent. A 12th-round pick from Georgia Tech in 1979, Hill played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1979 to 1984, for the Oilers from 1985 to 1991, and for the Atlanta Falcons for the 1992 and 1993 seasons.

Died University of Houston officials say head swimming coach Mark Taylor died of an apparent heart attack in Austin, Texas, where he was attending the NCAA women’s championships. Athletic director Mack Rhoades said in a statement that Taylor “was a terrific coach and an even better person.” Taylor had just completed his ninth season. He had seven top-30 NCAA finishes and was named Conference USA coach of the year in 2009. He came to Houston from international competition, coaching teams in Denmark and Iceland. He also coached the 1996 Olympic Games for Lithuania.

Out San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan has left the team to attend his brother-in-law’s funeral in Saskatchewan, Canada. McLellan was replaced behind the bench by assistant Trent Yawney. Yawney has experience as a head coach, spending 103 games in charge of Chicago in the 2005-06 season. The Sharks also have recalled left wing Brandon Mashinter from Worcester of the AHL and sent forward John McCarthy back to the minors.