DIGEST: Jessica Kürten has vaulted back up to number three in the world rankings, writes Grania Willis.In the latest rankings, issued yesterday by the International Equestrian Federation, Co Antrim born Kürten is just 48 points behind Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who snatched Kürten's leading lady rider crown in November
Another German, Marcus Ehning, retains the top slot.
Kürten was ranked world number two for most of last year but had dropped to four before moving up to three in the December listings. However, the international governing body stated yesterday the current standings are only temporary and subject to change.
Renault boss Flavio Briatore believes rivals Ferrari and McLaren will both endure difficult seasons this year.
McLaren now have two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and the young Briton Lewis Hamilton on board.
Alonso recently joined McLaren after winning back-to-back drivers' and constructors' titles with Renault.
The Spaniard is now charged with turning around McLaren's fortunes after the Woking-based team failed - for the first time in a decade - to win a grand prix last year.
But Briatore said: "It will be a tough year for McLaren. I see them having difficulties. They've always had fantastic drivers."
Unbeaten Irish middleweights John Duddy and Andy Lee are being lined up to appear on the same bill (in separate bouts ) in New York on March 16th.
Duddy's promoter and manager, Eddie McLoughlin, said yesterday both men had been earkmarked to appear at the Theatre club in Madison Square Garden.
New York-based and Derry-born Duddy, who has won 18 fights so far, will headline the show against the American Mark Vanda.
"Andy Lee could also appear on the show, which would really be exciting as he is a top-class boxer who is really capturing the imagination of fight fans here in the States," said McLoughlin.
Captain Graeme Smith scored his second consecutive half-century to bolster South Africa's batting on the second day of the third test against India in Cape Town yesterday.
At the close the hosts were 144 for one in reply to India's first-innings 414.
Smith, who scored 58 in the second innings of South Africa's 174-run win in the second test in Durban, was 76 not out while Hashim Amla had scored 50 in an unbroken stand of 130.
Sourav Ganguly guided India to their sizeable total with a gritty 66 and Sachin Tendulkar scored a composed 64.
Medium pacer Shaun Pollock took four for 75 and Paul Harris claimed four for 129.
