Ligety picks up third win at worlds
Winter sports: Ted Ligety became the first man in 45 years to win three gold medals at a skiing world championships by blowing away the field in winning his favored giant slalom in Schladming, Austria on Friday.
The American can match French great Jean-Claude Killy, who earned four golds in 1968, if he wins Sunday’s slalom.
“I am super pumped. This is such a cool feeling,” Ligety said. “I am glad I’ve done it … it’s been a dream for sure. It’s been a really cool experience.”
Defending champion Ligety, who also took the super-G and super-combined titles, built on his big first-run lead of 1.31 seconds with a fast start but cautious finish in the second.
Marcel Hirscher of Austria was 0.81 behind in second, and Manfred Moelgg of Italy took third, trailing Ligety by 1.75.
“This has been a crazy and unbelievable week. It’s definitely far exceeded my expectations,” Ligety said. “To win three gold medals here is awesome. It’s a really cool feeling to join some of the legends of our sports.”
Ligety is the first American to win two world GS titles, and has equaled Bode Miller’s American record of four golds at the worlds.
Stars’ rally shocks Canucks, ends streak
NHL: Brenden Dillon scored the go-ahead goal with 3 minutes left in the third period and the visiting Dallas Stars rallied past Vancouver 4-3 to end the Canucks’ six-game winning streak.
Reilly Smith, Cody Eakin and Antoine Roussel also scored for the Stars, who overcame a 3-1 deficit to win for the fifth time in six games.
• Also in the NHL: Kyle Clifford opened the scoring late in the second period, Jonathan Bernier made 12 saves and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 for the defending Stanley Cup champions’ first regulation win at home this season. … Christian Ehrhoff scored the winner with 10:58 remaining and the Buffalo Sabres rallied for three goals in the third period to beat the Boston Bruins 4-2 in Buffalo, N.Y. … Marcus Kruger and Andrew Shaw scored during a strong second period, and NHL-leading Chicago beat visiting San Jose 4-1 for its fifth win in six games. … David Clarkson scored on a deflection at 10:43 of the third period and New Jersey rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat Philadelphia 5-3 in Newark, N.J.
Goodell’s 2011 pay near $30 million
NFL: Commissioner Roger Goodell was paid $29.49 million by NFL owners in 2011, nearly triple his compensation from the previous year.
According to the league’s most recent tax return, most of Goodell’s pay comes in the form of a $22.3 million bonus. His base pay was $3.1 million. The NFL was scheduled to file the return Friday.
While the league declined comment on specifics, it must, by law, make the return available upon request.
Daytona practice includes 5-car wreck
Auto racing: It took about 10 minutes to wreck several cars at Daytona International Speedway on Friday.
Matt Kenseth triggered a five-car accident in the opening practice for the Sprint Unlimited, the non-points race that kicks off the season.
Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya were involved in the crash.
Jacobson remains hot in California
Golf: A move down the California coast hasn’t changed a thing for Fredrik Jacobson.
One week after his best finish in more than a year at Pebble Beach, Jacobson birdied the two toughest holes at Riviera in Los Angeles on his way to a 6-under 65 on Friday and a share of the lead with Sang-Moon Bae going into the weekend at the Northern Trust Open.
They were at 9-under 133, one shot clear of John Merrick (66) and John Rollins (65).
• Langer builds lead at ACE Group Classic: Bernhard Langer holed a 9-iron shot from 141 yards for an eagle on the par-4 10th and finished with a 10-under 62 to take a three-stroke in the Champions Tour’s rainy ACE Group Classic in Naples, Fla.
Bob Tway was second after a 65, and Tom Pernice Jr., Jay Don Blake and John Huston shot 66.
• Colombian takes lead in Australia: Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe shot a 6-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead over 15-year-old amateur star Lydia Ko and South Korea’s Jiyai Shin after the second round of the LPGA Tour’s Women’s Australian Open in Canberra.
Serena Williams returns to No. 1
Tennis: An emotional Serena Williams has secured the No. 1 ranking after coming from a set down to beat former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to reach the Qatar Open semifinals at Dohar, Qatar.
The 31-year-old American will become the oldest women’s player to be No. 1 when the rankings come out next week.