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Show Fae B3 Monday, December 4, 1995 1 UK DAILY HKRALD, Provo, I tah By DAVE CARPENTER Associated Press Writer Sampras collapsed with cramps after Chesnokov hit a shot wide on match point Friday, raising the question whether he could have continued. And the same thing almost happened against Kafelnikov. Sampras played sensationally the first two sets, repeatedly ripand dow ping cross-couwinners and losing only four points in his first eight service games. He serv ed 16 aces in all. But his sore hamstring got increasingly tighter and his mobility worsened in the third set. The 21 year-old Kafelnikov, ranked sixth in the world, was emboldened by Sampras' stiffness and the partisan crowd of 14.000 and began firing w inners from the baseline and coming to the net more often. The Russian rallied from a 1 deficit with two service breaks and forced a tiebreaker. Sampras, who admitted his injury might have cost him the match had it continued, revived his power one last time by reeling off three straight points for a 2 lead that proved decisive. It was the first time an American had captured three victories in a Davis Cup final since John McEnroe in 1982. MOSCOW Pete Sampras sent a message to the tennis world in winning the Davis Cup final for the United States almost all by himself: He's no pigeon on clay. The king mixed power with patience in serve-and-voll- rt mastering the red clay installed in Olympic Stadium to thwart him, capturing three weekend matches in the Americans' 2 victory over Russia. The best came last: a brilliant 6-6-(7-4- ) 6 victory over Russian Yevgeny Kafeltop nikov to give the United States an insurmountable 1 lead Sunday to clinch the cup. It capped a year for Sampras that included titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and nearly $5 million in prize money. "Certainly to come here to Moscow to play on my worst surface against tough opponents and a very tough crowd ... Today was probably the best clay-cou- rt match I've played," the world's player said. The weekend began with drama Sampras carried off with painful leg cramps after survivduel with Andrei ing a five-sChesnokov and ended as much with relief as elation when the Americans won their first Davis Cup title since 1992. There were hugs but no wild 3-- 2, 4, 7-- -- 3-- 3-- r'7i f&- - serve-and-voll- 3 top-rank- r 5-- et "www Ml Chesnokov's AP Photo Pete Sampras returns a shot to Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov during their Davis Cup match Sunday. Sampras won the match as the U.S. claimed the Cup. when he discussed his brother, and he was unable to speak for several seconds. "For me personally, it's been a tough year with my twin brother Tim really in a much bigger competition, fighting for his life." he said. "So for us to win this thins means a lot." U.S. Russia the When matchup became know n back in September, it looked like a rout when both Sampras and U.S. captain Tom Gullikson reflected on the victory's significance at a time when Tim Gullikson, Sampras' coach and Tom's brother, is stricken with brain cancer. "I'm extremely happy for the team and for Tom. I thought about Tom, and about Tim. during the match," Sampras said, his voice catching. Tears filled Gullikson's eyes -- for the '"dream team" of Sampras and Andre Agassi. Then Agassi was sidelined with a chest injury, watching the final from the U.S. bench, and Sampras was called on for triple duty, also teaming with Todd Martin to win Saturday's doubles. As it turned out. the Russians were only a hamstring away from their first Davis Cup title. (7-1- ). 7-- 5. victory over Jim Courier to tighten the final deficit only left the Russians wondering what might have been. Losing their second straight final at home, they admitted, though, that the American team was better. "I felt I could beat Sampras. But his service was faultless," said Kafelnikov. "Pete played wonderfully today, and he didn't leave any chances for me." Sampras, who has worked to improve his clay game, took extra pride in his achievement on that surface. "I think the Russians were looking at myself as being kind of the w eak link on the slow red clay. But I certainly played some good tennis when I had to," he said modestly. 6-- celebrations after Sampras smoked an ace at match point. He admitted that while it was "a great win for the team." the thrill of winning America's 31st cup didn't compare with a Grand Slam title. But emotions welled up later 6-- 7 0 :o sports menu By STEPHEN WILSON AP Sports Writer KARUIZAWA, Japan Snowboarding will become the newest Olympic sport this week. One of the world's fastest growing sports, snowboarding becomes fully legitimized this week when the International Olympic Committee makes it an official medal event for the 1998 Winter Games in nearby Nagano. After more than a year of debate, Nagano organizers agreed last month to add snow boarding to the Games. The decision is expected to receive official ratification Tuesday by the IOC executive board, which opens a four-da- y meeting today in this quiet town two hours northwest of Tokyo. Snowboarding w ill join curling and women's hockey as new medal events on the Olympic program at Nagano. Nagano organizers were reluctant when IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch and the international ski federation (FISl first urged them to add snowboarding to the Games. With finances already tight. Nagano officials were concerned about the costs involved in staging the extra events and housing more athletes. In addition, snowboarding was not yet a mass sport in Japan and was even banned at some ski areas because were considered a menace on the crowded slopes. But under constant pressure from Samaranch and following negotiations with the IOC and FIS over the costs, Nagano officials finally said yes. Men and women will compete in two events giant slalom and half-pipThe exact number of competitors is not yet known, but officials estimate the figure will be between 100 and 120. FIS officials proposed holding both events at existing ski venues. The Nagano organizing committee agreed to do that for the giant slalom races but decided to stage the half-pip- e events at a new snow-boarde- rs e. snowboard park being built in the Shiga Kogen area. Nagano officials say the operational costs for snowboarding are about $13 million. Under negotia tions expected to be finalized this week. FIS and the IOC will cover $8 million of those costs. The remainder will be paid for by the Yamanouchi village in Shiga Kogen. Depending on the exact number of competitors, officials will decide whether there is space in the athletes' v illage for the or whether extra hotel rooms have to be found. snow-boarde- rs The Olympic qualifying procedures for snow boarding depend on a resolution of the bitter power struggle between FIS and a rival body, the International Snowboard Federation, for control of the sport. Each run its own snowboard competitions. The IOC says FIS should run the Olympic competition but is urging the federation to negotiate with the other body to ensure that athletes from both circuits have a chai.ce to qualify for the Games. Snowboarding is hugely popular in the United States and Europe, especially with the younger set. At Swiss ski resorts, 5 about half of those in the age bracket are snovvboarders. 14-2- The sport also has gained a big following in Japan, with 800.0(H) snowboards imported this vear for sale to an eager public. FIS staged two successful World Cup snowboard events in Japan last winter. The IOC is holding its first major meeting in Japan since Nagano was awarded the Games in 1991. The executive board members will get a chance to visit the venues and hear detailed progress reports on construction, finances and housing. Atlanta Olympic officials will report on the state of preparations for next summer's Centennial Games, and Salt Lake City organizers will make their first presentation to the board since being awarded the 2002 Winter Games last June. Course records tumble in cross country finale Brad Schla-pa- k BOSTON (AP) and Joan Nesbit captured their first U.S. Cross Country titles at the 98th USA Track and Field Cross Country Championships, setting course records in the process. Schlapak. a 3:59 miler. overcame a sluggish start in the men's senior OK race and outkieked Reuben champion defending Reina of Arkansas down the stretch for a margin of I one-secon- pack through most of the four-loo- p course, finished second in 28:50. Terrance Mahon. a former IC4A 10K champion for Villanova, finished third in 28:53. Schlapak. who entered the championship race without a preparatory race this fall season, had been a multiple New England indoor and outdoor track champion at Northeastern, from which he graduaied in 1989. Former world cross country d team member Brad Barquist ( 2th) and Brian Baker shared the lead after a mile, covering the distance in 4:28. Schlapak worked his wa toward the leaders during the second loop. In the women's race. Nesbit raced through the first mile in 4:56 with former Prov idence All American Amy Rudolph at her heels. By two miles. Nesbit's lead had increased to 10 seconds over Fonshell (second) and Rudolph 1 victory. "We were just sort of digging and stomping in the mud and it just worked out well," Schlapak said Sunday. Nesbit got out to a quick start and was not seriously challenged, running away from former Kate Fon-she- ll American and eight-tim- e Lynn Jennings and finchampion record time of course a in ishing 19 minutes. 5 seconds. Vil-lano- Schlapak. 29. of Boston's Brighton section, was timed in 28:49. beating the course record of 29:24 by Providence College's - Mark Carroll at the NCAA District One qualifying race Nov. 11. Reina. who ran with the lead -- (fourth). Jennings (third) began to drop back as Nesbit increased her lead to 22 seconds at three miles. Nesbit was timed in 19:05. 1:17 under the mark set by Fonshell this vear. ove, uamei ciaim Mixed Team crown TARPON SPRINGS. Fla. (AP) and It's a chance to have fun it's a lot more fun when you w in. Davis Love 111 and Beth Daniel winner became the first two-tim- e of the JCPenney Mixed Team Classic golf competition Sunday after finishing second and twice tries. coming in third in their five I here." come is "This why Love said. "I wouldn't be here if didn't expect to have fun and have a chance to win. It's great to have a partner who is one of the best on her tour. Then it's pretty easy to have fun and have a chance to w in. "We expected to win but we knew we had to shoot a good score." Love said. "And we well as you played just about as can" play all day." For Robert Gamez and Helen Alfredsson. it was another exasrunner-u- p spot perating finish, a for the third straight year. "It's just so frustrating," Gamcz said. "The last couple of well and Helen years I've plaved 1 didn't play well." closed with a 63 in the modified alternate stroke format to finish with a tournament-recor- d 257. breaking the mark of 262 set last vear. who lost a four-hol- e playoff to Brad Bryant last jear and Marta Figueras-Dot- ti tie for secand shared a five-wa- y ond two years ago. shot a final-roun- d 64 to finish two strokes back at l, who did not make a bogey during the event, fashioned a closing round of four birdies on both the front and back nines. to "It took ev cry bit of el er Gamez-Alfredsso- SUN CITY. South Africa American Corey Pavin felt like, well, a million dollars after winning golfs richest top prize by five strokes over Zimbabwe's Nick Price. The U.S. Open winner shot to the top of the money table w ith his victory Sunday at the Million Dollar Challenge, the SI million paycheck brinsiine his earnings this vear to S2.77.C(XH). I feel "I feel :an I say it like a million dollars ... before taxes." Pav in joked afterw ards. Starting even with Price after a third-da- y 210. Pavin carded six birdies for a par 66 and a four-da276 in a textbook performance of consistent, flaw less golf. The disappointed Price, who won in 1993 and appeared headed for a second victory until Pavin deficit overcame a three-strok- e Saturday, finished Sunday at 2S1 to reap a relatively paltry y. n. Love-Danie- 72-ho- le er said Daniel, who won $ 62.5(H). as did Love. "We basito cally had to shoot that win. And when I saw Davis this morning, I knew he came to play He had that look on his face." win." 1 . ;x,' ' V 'VLJ er j - j4 -- "i? 1 j S250.(HH). winner. Germany's two-tim- e Bernhard Langer. closed at 283 for a prize of S2(K).(HH). Sam Torrance of Scotland ended a stroke back to bring him SI75.(KX). while American Tom Lehman took fifth at 287 and SI 50.000. The tournament over the par-77.597-yar- d Gary Player Country Club course brought 12 of the world's best players to battle for the richest top prize in golf. And they had to earn it. Difficult wind on the first two days was coupled with a rough and deviously placed pins. Straving from the fairways prov ed to be disastrous. Pavin's steadiness paid off. He plaved within his abilities but also 2. struggled a couple of days. This year she plav ed great and I just Love-Dani- By PATRICK McDOWELL Associated Press Writer ball-stoppi- AP Corey Pavin lines up a putt during competition in the Million Dollar Challenge at Sun City, South to the course shooting high into the greens, an approach that he feels" uncomfortable with and avoided the sort of errors that saw Price's lead fizzle Saturday w ith a bogey and double-boge"f just didn't make any mistakes." Pav in said. "That's the only way to beat a guy like Nick, to beat a field like this. You just have to play solid and wait for mistakes." The final round opened with a y. Floyds breeze to YERO BEACH. Fla. (AP) Raymond Floyd and Ravmond 57 Floyd Jr. shot a that included 13 birdies and an eagle-- 2 on the final hole Sunday and won the S 1 50.000 first prize at the Father-So- n Challenge. Coupled w ith a 62 during Saturday's first round, the Flovds finished at 119. winning by six strokes over Hale and Steve Irw in. furious duel for dominance. The American went ahead on the first hole, his second shot on the par-- 4 hole stopping a yard from the pin for an easy birdie. But Price came back over the next two holes, firing birdies and regaining a lead, a margin that remained through the fourth and fifth holes. Disaster struck Price on the par-- 4 sixth hole. The Zimbabwean outdrove Pavin by 30 yards, but his one-stro- Father-So- n The Irw ins carded a 66 to go w ith a 59 Sunday. The Flovds. with birdies on six of the final seven holes on Saturday, made the turn Sunday at then toured the back nine tn due in large part to Floyd Jr.'s length off the tee and smooth putting stroke. Five limes during the round. Flovd Sr. didn't hit off the tee. and first-roun- d Africa on Sunday. Pavin defeated Nick Price for the top prize. one-stro- ot Challenge win Floyd Jr., who outdrove his father by an average of 20 yards, putted for 10 of the 13 birdies. On the 367-yar- d 18th hole. Floyd Sr. hit a wedge from 118 yards into the cup. Dave and Ron Stockton and Tony and Warren Jacklin. tied after d 64 s. carded 63s Sunday and shared third. Larry and Drew Nelson were fifth at 128. Lee and first-roun- second shot overflew the green and f ound sand. He chipped to the edge of the green and was forced to double-putt, ending w ith a bogey Pavin's shot was long and straight onto the green. He then d sank a putt for a birdie, lead. Price him a giv ing never got went ahead again as Pavin birdied the short seventh hole and Price missed a putt on the eichth for a bogev. Tony Lee Trev ino finished with a 131." and Billy and Bobby Casper and Tom and Eric Weiskopf finished at 132. and John Miller and Graham shared event with ninth in the Johnny Dav id and Andrew 10-tea- m 1 33s. The tournament by Office Depot. w as ponsorcd |