Death on the slope
DEFENDING overall World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher, of Austria, was fastest in both runs to post an emphatic victory in a night slalom Tuesday that was marred by the death of a gate keeper in Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy.
DEFENDING overall World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher, of Austria, was fastest in both runs to post an emphatic victory in a night slalom Tuesday that was marred by the death of a gate keeper in Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy.
The win moved Hirscher above American rival Ted Ligety into second place in the overall standings. Ligety finished ninth.
There was a delay of about 15 minutes after the first eight starters when a 70-year-old gate keeper, positioned midway down the course, went into cardiac arrest and died. Organizers say medical personnel attempted to resuscitate him for about an hour before he was declared dead. The man was identified as a ski instructor in Madonna di Campiglio. His name was not released because his family could not immediately be notified. Organizers say the man had a history of heart problems.
Gate keepers observe racers to make sure they go around each gate correctly and are usually assigned two or three gates in slalom races.
Philly File *
The Union kicks off its fourth year March 2 when it hosts Sporting Kansas City at PPL Park. The complete 34-game schedule has not been announced.
Sport Stops *
Multiple media outlets are reporting Wisconsin will hire Utah State's Gary Andersen as head football coach to replace Bret Bielema. The 18th-ranked Aggies won the Western Athletic Conference and finished 11-2. Bielema left for Arkansas.
* Colin Montgomerie and Ken Schofield, head of the European Tour for nearly 30 years, were announced as the latest inductees to the World Golf Hall of Fame. They fill out the 2013 class that includes Willie Park Jr., Fred Couples and Ken Venturi.
* Cuban authorities say Olympic silver-medalist bantamweight boxer Arnaldo Mesa died Monday at 46, several days after he was hospitalized for a stroke.