Briefly
Four-time Olympian Eberharter retires from competitive skiing
Four-time Olympic medalist Stephan Eberharter retired from competitive skiing Friday after 16 years on the World Cup circuit. The decision was not an easy one, the 35-year-old Eberharter said.
“After 20 years of racing, the time has come to say goodbye,” he said. “I have taken my time to consider all the pros and cons, but my heart and mind told me it is enough.”
He was the runner-up in last season’s overall World Cup standings, behind fellow Austrian Hermann Maier, but took the downhill title for the third straight time. He had won the previous two overall titles when Maier was recovering from a 2001 motorcycle accident.
Basketball
Jazz trip to Moscow canceled
The Utah Jazz’s exhibition game in Russia next month was canceled by the NBA because of security concerns.
The league and the Jazz hope to reschedule the game for possibly next preseason, but with Russia facing attacks from Chechen rebels, the NBA decided it was not a good idea to send a team there now.
The country is still reeling from the deaths of more than 300 people, including many children, after rebels took control of a school in Beslan two weeks ago.
The Jazz were to play CSKA in Moscow on Oct. 8.
Football
Meggett ordered to jail
Former New England Patriots running back Dave Meggett was ordered jailed until March unless he can come up with the $191,600 he owes in child support.
He surrendered to authorities Wednesday at Dedham (Mass.) Probate Court after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Golf
Wilson takes lead at Texas Open
Dean Wilson shot a 5-under 65 and led first-round leader Ted Purdy by a stroke halfway through the Texas Open.
Wilson was at 11-under 129 after 36 holes at the La Cantera Golf Club course just north of San Antonio.
David Peoples (64), Ryan Palmer (65), John Senden (65) and J.J. Henry (67) were all at 131, one shot ahead of Scott Simpson (67) and Aaron Barber (63). Barber’s round was the lowest of the day.
“LPGA Tour rookie Brandi Jackson shot a 6-under 66 and held a one-stroke lead in the rain-delayed opening round of the Safeway Classic in Portland.
Play was called for the day about 7 p.m. with 32 players still on the course. The lowest score of those who didn’t finish was 2 under. The first round was to be completed this morning with the second round to follow.
Wendy Ward, from Edwall, Wash., shot a 4-under 68. Tracy Hanson, from Rathdrum, Idaho, was at even-par 72 after 16 holes.
Auto racing
Rain puts 10 contenders up front
It was an inauspicious start to the 10-race playoff for NASCAR’s Nextel Cup championship with rain washing out qualifying at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H.
Only 16 cars ran laps on to the 1.058-mile oval before rain began falling. NASCAR officials waited more than an hour before deciding to set the lineup for Sunday’s Sylvania 300 mostly by car-owner points.
Jamie McMurray was the fastest of the drivers who did run, turning a lap of 131.975 mph. But he will start 11th in the 43-car field.
The 10 drivers who qualified to compete under NASCAR’s new championship format will start ahead of McMurray. Series leader Jeff Gordon, seeking his fifth title, and teammate and runner-up Jimmie Johnson are on the front row.
“Jack Sprague won a series-leading fifth pole of the season and extended his career record to 25 in qualifying for today’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Sprague, driving a Chevrolet, turned a lap of 128.515 mph on the 1.058-mile oval.