U.S. sweeps mens’ snowboarding medals

PARK CITY — The U.S. claimed its first Winter Olympics medals sweep in 46 years on Monday with wins in the halfpipe snowboarding competition.

Ross Powers, Danny Kass and J.J. Thomas claimed the medals in front of a crowd of 30,000 in Salt Lake City.

This year’s sweep marks the second time in history that the U.S. swept the medals in a Winter competition. The first time was in the 1956 Cortina Games, at the hands of the men’s figure skating team.

Powers received a 46.1 early on in the competition, and the 19-year-old Kass scored a 42.5. Thomas followed with 42.1.

Tommy Czeschin, the other American in the competition, placed sixth behind Italy’s Giacomo Kratter and Japan’s Takaharu Nakai.

The International Olympic Committee added snowboarding to the Winter Games in 1998.

The three medals moved the U.S.’s total to six. Before the beginning of the Games, Americans said that they hope to win 20 medals this year.

Clark captures first American gold medal

PARK CITY — Kelly Clark captured the first gold for the American team at the Olympic Winter Games Sunday in the women’s halfpipe snowboarding competition.

A crowd of 16,500 gathered to see Clark, 18, receive a score of 47.9. Silver medalist Doriane Vidal of France followed with a 43.0 and Switzerland’s Fabienne Reuteler claimed the bronze medal with a 39.7.

Shannon Dunn, who finished in the bronze medal position in 1998 for the U.S., finished in fifth place, while fellow American Tricia Byrnes finished sixth.

Clark performed a pair of difficult jumps on her last run to overcome Vidal. She pulled off a 540-degree inverted twist, called a McTwist, and a 720-degree spin.

The gold medal was the first for the U.S. in the snowboarding competition, which was introduced in 1998.

 Williams claims title in Gaz de France

PARIS — No. 1 seed Venus Williams claimed victory Sunday in the Gaz de France tournament when No. 4 seed Jelena Dokic pulled out of the final because of a strained right thigh.

With the victory, Williams received her second title of 2002. It also marks her 23rd career WTA title.

Dokic injured her thigh during her 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 semifinal victory Saturday over Monica Seles, who defeated Williams in the quarterfinal round of the Australian Open last month. She further injured it during a doubles match later on Saturday.

Williams defeated defending champion Amelie Mauresmo 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 in the semifinal round.

The doubles final was also cancelled Sunday. Janette Husarova’s partner Elena Dementieva withdrew due to bronchitis. The title was given to Meilin Tu, who was defeated by Williams in singles action, and Nathalie Dechy.

Philippines hoping to host title fight

MANILA, Philippines —The Philippines is looking into hosting the Mike Tyson–Lennox Lewis heavyweight title fight that was originally scheduled for April in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas fight was canceled last month because Tyson could not get a boxing license from Nevada boxing officials.

The Philippines are billing the fight as a repeat of the “Thrilla in Manila,” a fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975. Ali won the fight in the 15th round.

The Philippines is serious about the match, hoping to promote the country.

Tourism Secretary Tom Gordon said that the fight could be held at the same arena where Ali and Frazier fought almost 30 years ago. The Araneta Coliseum has recently been renovated.

Gordon also said that he is not concerned about any outbursts by Tyson while in the Philippines. He said that Tyson and Lewis could train at different sites. Another bonus that Gordon mentioned is that the fight could be scheduled for the day in the Philippines, meaning it would air in the evening in the United States.

Stevenson receives two years probation

FRESNO — DeShawn Stevenson, guard for the Utah Jazz, received two years probation Monday for having sex with a minor.

Stevenson’s lawyer Roger Litman pleaded no contest for Stevenson, who was not present at the hearing. Stevenson, 20, was charged with having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Stevenson will serve 100 hours community service and will pay $1,100 of fines. He was also charged with disturbing the peace in 2000, when a fight broke out at a basketball game. The game took place the night after Stevenson was drafted out of high school in the first round by the Jazz.

The girl told police that she willingly had sex with Stevenson. High school teammate DeShawn Anderson was also charged with having sex with a minor. The 15-year-old girl later told police that she lied at first to get Anderson in trouble. Anderson’s case is still not resolved.

February 14, 2002