World Best Sports

Indonesia’s tourism industry, which has been slowly recovering from targeted terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005, is poised to receive a valuable boost sometime next year with the return of the Quiksilver G-Land Pro, one of the world’s most prestigious surfing tournaments.

The 2001 contest was canceled due to continued terrorist threats. In 2002, twin nightclub bombings in Bali put the event on hold indefinitely. But surf company Quiksilver and the Association of Surfing Professionals, professional surfing’s governing body, are considering bringing back the competition in 2011.

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Extreme sports and extreme music are the order of the day in Roztoky u Prahy, when the fourth annual Dirt Jump competition goes off-road and airborne July 31.About 40 riders, divided into two competition categories – mountain bike and BMX – will throw out their best tricks in pursuit of a 15,000 Kč ($765) grand prize.And extreme sports aren't so extreme without the tunes to match, so an array of DJs will entertain before, during and after the competition.

Each year, the experience is always different," said Jan Kolář, aka DJ Tazz, the competition's organizer. "It all depends on the atmosphere created by the audience, having a good announcer, good riders and, of course, the weather."Dirt jumping is the practice of riding bicycles over mounds of dirt or soil with the goal of launching one's self into the air. The key is to launch high enough to perform tricks while airborne – and the more the better. Then, of course, there is the all-important landing.

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In an industry dominated by high-volume operators, Robson Helimagic (RHM) has refined "boutique" heli-skiing and true mountain ambiance. From its base in the Canadian Rockies in Valemount B.C, just south of majestic Mount Robson, RHM provides a semi-private experience for less than the standard industry group rate. "Our philosophy is smaller is better," said Christine Dolbec, manager at RHM. "We want to avoid the ‘factory skiing' mentality, so our guests can enjoy the experience without pressure."

With fewer skiers per helicopter, the RHM experience is more personalized. Maximum group size is eight, and only two groups per machine. Flights are more relaxed and the snow is wide open. No rush, no hassle. Robson Helimagic is loaded with amazing terrain offerings including 1500 square KM of wide alpine bowls, steep faces and classic glades that average up to 23 feet of annual snowfall. Leading each group are two guides, and with the smaller groups on such widely varied terrain, the groups allow for greater choice. Intermediate groups can improve powder technique in a fun, relaxed setting, while advanced groups can rock the hero lines.

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Residents from Lockner Estate had fun in the sun last weekend as they celebrated the Big Lunch. One of the highlights of the day, which was organised by Lockner and Kingsgate Residents Association, was a free-running workshop taught by an instructor from Parkour Generations.  Residents of all ages learned to use their balance, climbing and jumping skills, while embracing their awareness of movement and keeping fit.

Musicians entertained children on the estate, whilst residents shared food from different cultures with their neighbours. There were lots of activities to keep all ages entertained, including seed planting in the communal gardens, face painting and a bike surgery for residents to get advice and bike repairs.

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I think I might die, every time’. When base jumper Dan Witchalls tells his Danish girlfriend how he feels before launching himself from one of London’s many landmark buildings, it looks like she might knock him out flat. ‘Is it worth it?’ she scowls. ‘Well, obviously it is,’ Dan says, looking more terrified at this moment than he does when contemplating diving off Nelson’s Column or the roof of the new Wembley Stadium. The Men Who Jump off Buildings (Channel 4, Wed 28 Jul, 9pm) shows that, while base jumping is not illegal in Britain, Dan and his ilk can be arrested for trespassing.

The risk of being caught and the thrill of outwitting security systems to get onto a roof is almost a bigger buzz as the jump itself. Since 1981, around 140 base jumpers have plummeted to their ends, including Witchalls’ best friend, Neil Queminet. But despite such figures, Witchalls is clearly addicted to this most out-there of extreme sports. You can see the denial in his eyes when he claims that, if forced to choose, he’d quit base jumping for his girlfriend. Then you see him larking around in a wingsuit (a kind of babygro for golden eagles) and you give their relationship a few more months. His life? Maybe a bit longer.

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IN July 1973, my mate Jamo and I picked up two second-hand bicycles at a pawn shop on Kensington High Street, threw our meagre possessions into backpacks and lit out on the A3 headed for Cornwall. We hadn’t been in London very long but we were running out of money fast, largely thanks to our massive ale consumption while watching Max Merritt and the Meteors play three times a week at a pub on the Harrow Road. With the few quid that remained, we decided to get ourselves down to the surf coast by the cheapest possible means. It was a well thought-out plan, conceived by looking at a map and deducing that England was quite small and flat. Both our bikes had Sturmey Archer three-speed gears, so we thought we were in good shape. We weren’t.

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WHEN it comes to hospitality, very few people I know can beat Bob and Lesley Clayton. They’re in their element when there’s a crowd at their place, and it’s always fun – even for a “hermit” like me. In a way, it’s how we met. A major mix-up meant the beloved and I pitched up at their house when we were due to move to East London, thinking they had a cottage to rent – and that we’d stay there overnight while checking it out. Not only did they NOT have a cottage to rent, they didn’t even know we were coming. The mutual acquaintance who’d assured us it was all arranged was prone to being “spontaneous”, we later discovered. Trouble was, she’d forgotten to talk to them about it.

Nothing daunted, they welcomed us with open arms. We were red-faced and stammering with embarrassment – even more so when we discovered they were having friends round for dinner – but it turned out to be a marvellous mistake for us and forged a precious friendship.

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Current World No. 1 and 9 x ASP World Champ Kelly Slater (USA), 2007 event winner Taj Burrow (AUS), reigning ASP World Champ Mick Fanning (AUS) and South Africa’s Jordy Smith took full advantage of the pristine conditions to produce a master-class in high performance surfing, carving powerful top to bottom turn combinations and ducking into and emerging from deep tubes.

It was Fanning who was the top scorer on the day, posting rides of 8.83 and 7.87 (out of 10) to amass a total of 16.70 (out of 20) and leave his opponents, wildcard Sean Holmes (Cape Town) and Roy Powers (HAW), in a combination situation where they could not overtake Fanning with one ride and needed to improve on both their best two scores.

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Spanish-American pop singer Enrique Iglesias’ plan to ski naked in Miami did not go well with the cops as they were adamant to prevent the star to carry out the stunt.

The Hero singer had decided to bare all and go water skiing if Spain won its first-ever soccer World Cup. But, a
police representative told TMZ, “We enforce all laws here, regardless of what your status is in the Miami community. We will stop him.”

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The ASP Dream Tour is about to witness a drastic midyear reduction from the world’s best 45 competitors down to a new 32-man format and with only two events remaining before the cut, California’s ASP World Title Race rookies are buckling down in search of a breakthrough result at the upcoming Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in order to secure their position amongst surfing’s elite.

With the new 32-man format about to unfold after the fifth event on the 2010 season, the Billabong Pro Jeffrey’s Bay, stop No. 4 of 10 on this year’s ASP World Title Race, will play a vital role on surfer’s chances to remain amongst the sport’s most elite names for the back-half of season.

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