A roundup of today's other sports news in brief
Katayama rescued on Mount Fuji
FORMER Formula One driver Ukyo Katayama has been rescued from Mount Fuji but his two companions are missing feared dead following a climbing accident, Japanese media reported yesterday.
The 46-year-old called police early yesterday requesting help and saying he thought one of his climbing companions had died and the other was in danger of dying after their tents were blown away, according to the Kyodo news agency.
“I’m okay,” the former racer told reporters after he was rescued. “The other two appeared to have died. I’m sorry for the trouble I have caused, I am just praying for their safety.”
The three men started climbing the mountain on Thursday as part of preparations for an expedition to the South Pole. Temperatures on the mountain fell below minus 25 degrees Celcius before dawn on Friday morning.
Schumacher likely to return with Mercedes Benz
FORMULA ONE: Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo, has confirmed that Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One with Mercedes Benz is now a strong likelihood.
Montezemolo revealed that the 40-year-old German telephoned him on Wednesday morning and told him there is “a very, very, very strong possibility” that he will make a return to the arena he left in 2006 with 91 grands prix wins.
Montezemolo joked that it must have been Schumacher’s evil twin brother but confirmed that he has released him from any Ferrari consultancy obligations.
“As a friend I see someone so fit and with determination and it’s good for F1, but as chairman of Ferrari I’m sad.”
Schumacher has been quoted many times saying that he would finish his career with Ferrari but Montezemolo said that he had not been in a position to offer the seven times champion a drive in 2010 as Fernando Alonso will partner Felipe Massa for the team.
Sinclair quits Motorsport Ireland
MOTOR SPORT: Alex Sinclair has resigned as chief executive officer of Motorsport Ireland with immediate effect.
Sinclair has also relinquished his other positions within the sport, namely his membership of the Motor Sport Commission, his position on the executive council of MI and his role as a director of Irish Motorsport Federation Ltd.
A statement from Motorsport Ireland said Sinclair will remain on until 31st March 2010 to assist in the administration of the sport in the interim.
“I wish to thank Alex for all that he has contributed to motorsport over the last 20 years and must say that he has acted in the most professional manner and with the utmost integrity at all times,” stated John Naylor, president of Motorsport Ireland
“He would be an asset to any organisation and will be sorely missed. I wish Alex and his family well for the future.”
Ireland facing a hectic schedule
CRICKET: Ireland face a busy start to the new year after Cricket Ireland confirmed details of a quadrangular Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka from Jan 31st to Feb 4th, writes Emmet Riordan.
Phil Simmons’s side will take on Sri Lanka ‘A’, Canada and Afghanistan in Colombo in a tournament that will act as a warm-up to the World Twenty20 Qualifier that takes place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in early February.
Ireland will also face Afghanistan in a four-day Intercontinental Cup clash in Sri Lanka before the quadrangular tournament.
IRELAND'S EARLY 2010 SCHEDULE- Jan 23rd-26th: Intercontinental Cup: Afghanistan v Ireland, Sri Lanka. Jan 31st: T20 Quadrangular: Ireland v Sri Lanka A, Colombo. Feb 1st: T20 Quadrangular: Ireland v Canada, Colombo; Feb 3rd: T20 Quadrangular: Ireland v Afghanistan, Colombo; Feb 4th: T20 Quadrangular final and 3rd/4th play-off, Colombo; Feb 9th: ICC World T20 Qualifier: Ireland v Afghanistan, Dubai; Feb 10th: ICC World T20 Qualifier: Ireland v USA, Abu Dhabi; Feb 11th: ICC World T20 Qualifier: Ireland v Scotland, Dubai; Feb 12th: ICC World T20 Qualifier: Super Fours, Dubai; Feb 13th: ICC World T20 Qualifier: Super Fours and Final, Dubai.
Cielo sets 50m freestyle record
OLYMPIC and world champion Cesar Cielo of Brazil set a world record of 20.91 seconds in the men’s 50 metres freestyle in Sao Paulo yesterday.
Cielo, who also holds the 100 metres record, broke the previous mark of 20.94 held by Frenchman Frederick Bousquet.
