Ameer Najjar conquers first round of Saudi Hill Climb competition

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Jordanian driver Ameer Najjar topped the overall rankings in the opening round of the Hill Climb competition at Al-Mohammadia Hill in Al-Shifa in Taif Governorate. (Supplied)

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The two-day event was organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport and Taif Governorate. (Supplied)

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Updated 29 July 2024

SALEH FAREED

July 29, 2024 15:34

Ameer Najjar conquers first round of Saudi Hill Climb competition

More than 50 drivers compete in the event in Taif Governorate, which marks start of 2024 Saudi Toyota Championship season
Najjar, from Jordan, takes top place in the overall rankings with fastest time of 2 mins 07.427 secs on the 30-turn, steeply ascending, 4.2 km track

Updated 29 July 2024

SALEH FAREED

July 29, 2024 15:34

TAIF: Jordanian driver Ameer Najjar topped the overall rankings in the opening round of the Hill Climb competition at Al-Mohammadia Hill in Al-Shifa in Taif Governorate over the weekend, which marked the start of the 2024 Saudi Toyota Championship season.

He secured top place among more than 50 competing drivers with the fastest time of 2 minutes 07.427 seconds on the 30-turn, steeply ascending, 4.2-kilometer track.

“It has been an amazing weekend. I and my team feel very happy and proud to emerge as the winners of the first round and hope to continue our pace for the next rounds,” said Najjar.

The two-day event was organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport and Taif Governorate.

Khaled Al-Suwaidan, the CEO of the federation, thanked the Saudi leadership, the ministry, other government departments, official partner Jameel Motorsport, strategic partner the Saudi Investment Bank, and the other organizations that contributed for their help in making the event a success.

Full results

Overall ranking:

1. Ameer Najjar

2. Fadi Hamadeh

3. Faisal Qabbani

Category 2:

1. Abdulaziz Al-Rumaih

2. Sultan Al-Masoud

Class 1:

1. Hisham Najjar

2. Muadh Al-Zahrani

3. Alwaleed Zaki

Class 2a:

1. Ameer Najjar

2. Fadi Hamadeh

3. Faisal Qabbani

Class 2b:

1. Wael Mustafa

2. Ahmed Abdelhady

3. Mamoun Al-Qabbani

Class 3a:

1. Rabie Al-Aawar

2. Ibrahim Al-Sharida

3. Mohammed Al-Sharyan

Class 3b:

1. Hamza Bakhsheb

2. Jaber Al-Ahmad

3. Mahmoud Abed

Class 4a:

1. Hisham Al-Badea

2. Ali Al-Khudair

3. Abdulaziz Al-Fadhli

Class 4b:

1. Abdullah Qabbani

2. Mashaal Al-Huwaish

3. Khaled Baghdadi

Class 5a:

1. Bandar Al-Salmi

2. Ahmed Jankhout

3. Suhaib Ash'ari

Class 5b:

1. Abdullah Al-Khuraiji

2. Hadeel Khan

3. Inas Abtini

Ladies Category:

1. Hadeel Khan

2. Inas Abtini

3. Mashaal Al-Huwaish

Topics: Motorsport Saudi Arabia

Australia out for 104 against India after Starc digs in

Updated 23 November 2024

AFP

November 23, 2024 08:58

Australia out for 104 against India after Starc digs in

Jasprit Bumrah was India’s chief destroyer with 5-30, Harshit Rana chipped in with 3-48
India have won their last two Border-Gavaskar trophy series against Australia in Australia

Updated 23 November 2024

AFP

November 23, 2024 08:58

PERTH: Mitchell Starc hit a defiant 26 to keep Australia in touch on day two of the opening Test at Perth, with the hosts all out for 104 at lunch on Saturday to trail India by 46.
Australia lost Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon during an intense session on a lively deck before Starc and Josh Hazlewood dug in.
They reached three figures courtesy of a dogged last-wicket holdout by the pair — their 25-run stand was the longest of the Australian innings. Hazlewood was not-out seven.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s chief destroyer with 5-30, his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests. Harshit Rana chipped in with 3-48.
Australia resumed on 67-7, trailing by 83, after an astonishing 17 wickets fell on a chaotic opening day when India were all out for 150.
Home hopes rested on Carey as he began on 19, but after nudging two from Rana he came up against an irrepressible Bumrah.
Coming round the wicket, the Indian captain made Carey play and he nicked to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Lyon (5) did well to hang around for 16 fiery balls before gloving a short one from Rana to KL Rahul in the slips.
That brought Hazlewood to the crease and it seemed only a matter of time before India were batting again, but he and Starc gamely stuck around, bringing up the 100 to huge cheers from the crowd.
It was an intelligent innings by Starc, who doggedly faced 112 balls and protected Hazlewood to add crucial extra runs before holing out Rana to Pant.
India have won their last two Border-Gavaskar trophy series in Australia.
Perth is the first of five Tests in the series.

Topics: perth

Spanish sailors ride wave of $2m win, Olympic gold medal to lead Los Gallos into SailGP’s Season 5

Updated 23 November 2024

November 23, 2024 06:54

Spanish sailors ride wave of $2m win, Olympic gold medal to lead Los Gallos into SailGP’s Season 5

SailGP’s Season 5 starts with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday
After ending the Aussies’ dominance, Los Gallos are a proven entity heading into a new season that features a fleet that’s grown to 12 boats and a 14-regatta schedule that will end with the $2 million dash for cash

Updated 23 November 2024

November 23, 2024 06:54

SAN DIEGO, California: Spaniards Diego Botin and Florian Trittel experienced an adrenaline rush last summer that’s never been seen in sailing.

On July 14 on San Francisco Bay, they helped sail Los Gallos’ foiling catamaran to a stunning upset over heavyweights Tom Slingsby of Australia and Peter Burling of New Zealand and claim the $2 million, winner-take-all prize as SailGP’s Season 4 champions.

Just 19 days later, the 30-year-olds won the Olympic gold medal in the high-performance 49er class in Marseille, France. They later met King Felipe VI of Spain, himself a former Olympic sailor.

They needed some time to catch their breath after their wild ride.

“I’m not going to lie. Right after the games I was saturated,” said Botin, who skippers the SailGP crew while Trittel trims the wingsail.

After a break of a few months, Los Gallos — “roosters” in Spanish — are preparing to defend their title in Larry Ellison’s global league. SailGP’s Season 5 starts with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday.

“Now I’m starting to feel those butterflies and I look forward now to start the next season,” Botin said recently in a video interview with The Associated Press.

In early January, SailGP saw two of its marquee names step away from skippering their teams, Ben Ainslie to focus on his British team in the America’s Cup and Jimmy Spithill to start forming his own Italian-based SailGP team.

Three-time defending SailGP champion Tom Slingsby of Australia, who suddenly became the league’s senior statesman, said it was time for younger skippers to step up “and try to knock us older guys off the perch.”

Said Botin: “It probably pushed us a bit to even put more energy in and try to get there.”

Botin and Trittel’s Olympic campaign coincided with SailGP’s schedule.

In early July, “We looked at ourselves and said, ‘The two biggest goals of our lives are going to be decided in the next three weeks,’” Botin said. “And it was a massive challenge, what we did, deciding to do the two projects at the same time. But we believed that by doing the two projects we were going to end up being the best sailors we could be.

“Obviously, we didn’t know if things were going to go so well. But yeah, it’s super satisfying. What we achieved is amazing. A life highlight.”

After ending the Aussies’ dominance, Los Gallos are a proven entity heading into a new season that features a fleet that’s grown to 12 boats and a 14-regatta schedule that will end with the $2 million dash for cash.

Spithill launched his Italian team Thursday and poached Australian wing trimmer Kyle Langford. Olympic gold medalist Giles Scott moved from Britain to Canada in the sport’s first transfer fee deal. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael of Brazil will become the first woman to helm a SailGP boat. Burling is coming off Emirates Team New Zealand’s third straight America’s Cup victory and Slingsby is always motivated to win.

“I think we have the team to challenge those teams,” Botin said. “I think we have the potential to keep fighting at the top of the league. I think we need to remind ourselves how much work it took us to be able to be competitive in this league, to maintain ourselves there. We need to work in a very intelligent way and I really believe we have the team to be at the top of the league.”

The Spanish team’s 50-foot foiling catamaran has a red outline of a rooster on its wingsail.

Botin said the Los Gallos nickname started with the Spanish team in the 2017 Youth America’s Cup.

“In the north of Spain, it’s really typical instead of saying ‘buddy’ or ‘mate,’ you say, ‘gallo.’ And we’re calling ourselves ‘gallos’ all the time — ‘gallo, gallo, gallo.’ We ended up being in the press and everywhere as Los Gallos. And that’s why we decided to link our team to this icon.”

Botin and Trittel were named the male Rolex World Sailors of the Year this month.

“If that’s a sign of what’s coming through in terms of the next stars of our sport, we’re in good hands,” Spithill said. “They’re such awesome athletes but just awesome dudes as well.”

Topics: sailing SailGP San Diego

Netherlands beat Germany to reach first Davis Cup final

Updated 23 November 2024

AFP

November 23, 2024 06:49

Netherlands beat Germany to reach first Davis Cup final

The Dutch knocked out Rafael Nadal’s Spain in the last eight on Tuesday on the way to their first final in 104 years of competing
Tallon Griekspoor ground down Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4 in the second singles rubber to eliminate the three-time winners in the semifinals

Updated 23 November 2024

AFP

November 23, 2024 06:49

MALAGA, Spain: Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time with a battling 2-0 win over Germany on Friday.

Tallon Griekspoor ground down Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4 in the second singles rubber to eliminate the three-time winners in the semifinals.

Botic van de Zandschulp beat Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-7 (12/14), 6-3 in a hard-fought opening match to set Netherlands on their way.

The Dutch knocked out Rafael Nadal’s Spain in the last eight on Tuesday on the way to their first final in 104 years of competing.

They then ousted Germany, who last triumphed in 1993 and were hoping to reach a sixth final.

“I’m unbelievably proud, they played so well,” said Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis, who was part of the team last time they made the semifinals 23 years ago.

Van de Zandschulp kicked off the tie by claiming a scrappy victory with his 10th match point in two hours 44 minutes.

“It could have been easier but I did it the hard way,” said the Dutchman who sent 22-time Grand Slam title winner Nadal into retirement on Tuesday with a famous win.

“At some point, I didn’t know what to do any more on the match points.”

Neither player blinked in a first set with few thrills, until the Dutchman, ranked 80th, nosed ahead for a 5-4 lead which he served out, clinching when Altmaier went wide.

Van de Zandschulp broke in the fifth game of the second set and consolidated for a 4-2 lead, taking full control of the match.

The Dutchman forced four break points in the next game, but the world number 88 managed to escape with three aces to avoid a double break.

Moving into a higher gear the German was able to get back on serve at 4-4, converting his third break point at the end of the match’s longest rally when Van de Zandschulp failed at the net.

The Dutch player brought up five match points in the tie-break but could not hold his nerve and Altmaier took his fourth set point with a smash to force a third set.

Van de Zandschulp broke in the second game, but Altmaier immediately responded.

The Dutchman produced another break of serve to open up a 5-3 lead and, after wasting four more match points, wrapped up the win with his 10th as Altmaier could not return a powerful serve.

“I had the toughest match of my life on Tuesday (against Nadal), so everything that comes next is a little bit easier,” added Van de Zandschulp.

Big servers Struff and Griekspoor could not force a break in the first set, or even a break point, and a tie-break quickly became inevitable.

The German imposed himself with two mini-breaks and took his third set point.

Griekspoor battled hard to hold in the eighth game of the second set, the first in the match to go to deuce, and the Dutchman saved two break points.

The world No. 40 produced one of his own to snatch a 6-5 lead against Struff, ranked three places lower, and polished off the set with an ace blasted down the middle.

Struff hammered a poor smash into the net from a Griekspoor lob to gift a break in the first game of the third set and the Dutchman produced five holds to triumph, barely allowing his opponent a sniff on his serve.

Griekspoor finished the tie with an ace, his 25th of the night, and fell to his knees in celebration as orange-clad Dutch fans celebrated with glee.

“I felt like the level of the match was unbelievable, both of us were serving unreal,” said Griekspoor.

“Big respect to him but very happy to make the final.”

Topics: Davis Cup allon Griekspoor

Saudi team reignite qualification hopes by beating Bhutan in T20 World Cup qualifier

Updated 56 min 43 sec ago

Subas Humagain

November 23, 2024 06:28

Saudi team reignite qualification hopes by beating Bhutan in T20 World Cup qualifier

With the win, Saudi Arabia left the bottom of the table, climbing to 5th
Malaysia and Kuwait have already booked their spot from Asia Group A qualifier

Updated 56 min 43 sec ago

Subas Humagain

November 23, 2024 06:28

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia registered their first victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B as they beat Bhutan in Doha, Qatar, on Friday.

Saudi Arabia were dominant in all fronts as they overcame Bhutan’s challenge by a huge margin of 85 runs. Bhutan could only muster 85-8 in reply to Saudi’s 170-7 in 20 overs.

Bhutan invited Saudi Arabia to have a bat first at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium and the openers used it to their advantage. Abdul Waheed and Faisal Khan brought up a 50-run partnership in just 23 balls. Waheed, who hit 18 off 15, holed out to long on from the second ball of the sixth over.

Faisal, who hit Karma Dorji for 24 runs in the fourth over, then went boundary-less for the next nine balls and ultimately fell to Sagar Pradhan. He hit three fours and four sixes in his 20-ball-42.

Skipper Waji Ul Hassan then steadied the ship for Saudi Arabia as he stitched mini partnerships with Usman Khalid (14) and Manan Ali (12). While Waji kept the scoreboard ticking, his partners were slower than run-a-ball against Bhutan’s bowlers.

Player of the match Ul Hassan brought on his second T20 half century, hitting Dorji for a six and a four in the 16th over. He then followed one wide but hit straight to mid wicket. He ended scoring 52 runs off 39 balls with three fours and sixes each.

Waji Ul Hassan, the Saudi skipper, receives his Player of the Match award from an ICC official. (Qatar Cricket Association photo)

Zain Ul Abidin and Usman Najeeb hit a six each toward the end as Saudi reached the 170 mark.

In reply, Ishtiaq Ahmad rocked the top order of Bhutan with double blow. After giving away a single in his first over, he came back to take the wickets of Tenjin Ragbey and skipper Thinley Jamtsho in consecutive deliveries, both for nought.

Bhutan were soon reduced to 10-3 as Usman Najeeb hit Mikyo Dorji’s off stump.

Bhutan were 29-4 midway through their innings. But Jigme Singye’s 35 runs helped them to 85 runs in 20 overs. Singye, who hit four fours and sixes each in 41 balls, was run out in the last over. Ishtiaq and Usman took two wickets each, while Shahzaib, Zain Ul Abidin and Abdul Waheed got one each.

Despite Saudi Arabia losing the first two matches in the tournament, skipper Ul Hassan was hopeful of making it to the next round. “We didn’t achieve the expected result in the first two matches, but this win will help us. The tournament is long and we are hopeful of getting results to aid our target,” he said.

Saudi Arabia have left the bottom of the table with this win as they climb to fifth. UAE, who beat Cambodia by five wickets, have the maximum six points in three matches. Hosts Qatar and Thailand have four points each.

Bahrain are on level with Saudi while Bhutan and Cambodia are yet to open their account.

The top two teams from this qualifier will play the regional final, which serves as pathway for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in 2026.

Malaysia and Kuwait have already booked their spot from the Asia Group A qualifier, while Samoa and Japan are representing the East Asia-Pacific region. Nepal, Oman and Papua New Guinea will also compete in the regional finals.

Topics: ICC Men T20 World Cup 2024 Cricket

PSG beat Toulouse 3-0, Akliouche double gives Monaco home win over Brest

Updated 23 November 2024

November 23, 2024 06:26

PSG beat Toulouse 3-0, Akliouche double gives Monaco home win over Brest

The scoreline was harsh on Toulouse, who came into the game in a more even second half
The win was a confidence boost for Luis Enrique’s side ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League encounter at Bayern Munich

Updated 23 November 2024

November 23, 2024 06:26

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain retained a six-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 after a labored 3-0 home win over Toulouse on Friday.

The defending champion dominated the first half but it took until the 35th minute to open the scoring.

Young Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves spun to meet a cross from the right and struck a superb half volley from just outside the box.

Lucas Beraldo got a second with six minutes remaining when he pounced on loose ball and fired home.

Vitinha made it 3-0 in stoppage time when he showed fine footwork inside the box to finish off a quick counterattack.

The scoreline was harsh on Toulouse, who came into the game in a more even second half.

Only Vitinha’s last-gasp tackle stopped Zakaria Aboukhlal from equalizing after 69 minutes and then Shavy Babicka blazed over from close range a minute later when he should have hit the target.

The win was a confidence boost for Luis Enrique’s side ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League encounter at Bayern Munich.

PSG lie in 25th place in the 36-team Champions League table with one win in four matches and outside the playoff spots.

Monaco beat Brest

The win came immediately after second-placed Monaco beat Brest 3-2 to briefly close the gap at the top to three points.

Brest, who face Barcelona next week in the Champions League, turned in another inconsistent French league performance and not the sparkling form they have shown in Europe.

Brest have struggled in Ligue 1, where they remain 12th, but shone with three wins from four in their first-ever Champions League campaign.

It was behind after just five minutes on Friday when Maghnes Akliouche scored with a superb airborne volley, and 2-0 down after 24 minutes thanks to Aleksandr Golovin.

The Russian striker seized on a poor pass just outside the Brest penalty area and his low shot was perfectly placed to sneak in off the post and give him his first goal in nine league appearances.

On-loan Brighton striker Abdallah Sima used his 1.88-meter frame to outjump the Monaco defense four minutes into the second half and cut the deficit but Akliouche restored Monaco’s two-goal cushion when he brilliantly finished a quick counterattack in stoppage time.

Ludovic Ajorque got a second for Brest in the sixth minute of added time but it was not enough in a second half most notable for the red card shown to Brest coach Eric Roy.

Ameer Najjar conquers first round of Saudi Hill Climb competition

Ameer Najjar conquers first round of Saudi Hill Climb competition

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Australia out for 104 against India after Starc digs in

Australia out for 104 against India after Starc digs in

Spanish sailors ride wave of $2m win, Olympic gold medal to lead Los Gallos into SailGP’s Season 5

Spanish sailors ride wave of $2m win, Olympic gold medal to lead Los Gallos into SailGP’s Season 5

Rolex SailGP Championship race starts in Dubai this weekend

SailGP announces 2024-25 season calendar, starting and ending in the UAE

Netherlands beat Germany to reach first Davis Cup final

Netherlands beat Germany to reach first Davis Cup final

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Rafael Nadal loses at the Davis Cup in what could be his last match

Saudi team reignite qualification hopes by beating Bhutan in T20 World Cup qualifier

Saudi team reignite qualification hopes by beating Bhutan in T20 World Cup qualifier

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PSG beat Toulouse 3-0, Akliouche double gives Monaco home win over Brest

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Ameer Najjar conquers first round of Saudi Hill Climb competition

Ameer Najjar conquers first round of Saudi Hill Climb competition

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