Tour de France: Jasper Philipsen makes it back-to-back stage wins, Yates keeps overall lead
- July 5, 2023
NOGARO, France — Belgian rider Jasper Philipsen won a mass sprint to earn a second straight stage victory at the Tour de France on Tuesday, while Adam Yates kept the race leader’s yellow jersey heading into the Pyrenees mountains.
Philipsen followed up his win on Monday’s third stage and was once again expertly helped into position to attack by his Alpecin–Deceuninck teammate and Mathieu van der Poel.
Philipsen showcased his pure speed by holding off Australian rider Caleb Ewan at the line to underline his credentials to win the sprinter’s green jersey with another impressive performance. Philipsen’s countryman Wout van Aert won it last year.
“Caleb was right next to me. I wasn’t too confident. He almost caught up with me at the end, it was really nerve-wracking,” Philipsen said. “I’m extremely proud to have won twice in a row. The finish was super fast, we felt like race cars. There were wide turns that sometimes tightened.”
German rider Phil Bauhaus was third to make it the same top three finishers as Monday, with Ewan beating Bauhaus this time. Several riders behind them crashed as they jostled for position on the final straight.
The 181.8-kilometer (112.7-mile) route from Dax to Nogaro in southwestern France was almost totally flat and again favored sprinters.
On the eve of the Tour’s first mountain stage — a difficult Pyrenean trek — riders were keen to save some energy.
The peloton started at a leisurely pace with no team prepared to place a rider in a breakaway. So there was time to glance over and take in some of the countryside scenery, such as the 12th-century Saint-Saturnin church.
The gentle procession was interrupted when the first attack came about 100 kilometers (62 miles) out, when Frenchmen Benoît Cosnefroy and Anthony Delaplace formed a breakaway. They were still together when they got over the day’s only ascent — the modest Côte de Dému is small compared to Wednesday’s climbs — but were caught with 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) remaining.
The closing stages were around a circuit with a smooth tarmac, but that didn’t make it easier for Danish sprinter Fabio Jakobsen, who fell off his bike, and several other riders fell as they clipped barriers in a nervy finish.
But the Belgian-born Dutchman Van der Poel showed both his class and his race craft by timing an attack on the left and putting Philipsen in an ideal position from which he made no mistake.
“I’m really glad I didn’t hit the deck. I saw there were a lot of falls,” Philipsen said. “You also need some luck, but when you have someone like Mathieu with you, even in a difficult situation where everything is on a razor edge, he manages to bring us back to the front.”
It effectively gave Philipsen a hat trick of sprint-stage wins after winning the last stage of last year’s Tour.
“My goal in this Tour was to win a stage,” he said. “We already ticked that box yesterday. Now, we want more. And we want to go for the points (green jersey).”
Meanwhile, Yates maintained his six-second lead over two-time Tour winner Tadej Pogačar of Slovenia and his twin brother Simon Yates in third.
“We’ll see how it plays out tomorrow. I think it’s the very first chance for a breakaway, so all hell will break loose at the start,” said Yates, who rides for UAE Team Emirates. “Then, there are the bonuses on the last climb, so it’s going to be a bit difficult for me (to keep the yellow jersey). But we’re lucky to have Tadej on our team.”
Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark stayed in sixth spot but could make up some ground on Wednesday.
That’s when Vingegaard and other expert climbers test their legs with two big ascents on Stage 5.
The 162.7-kilometer (100.9-mile) trek from Pau to Laruns includes a daunting 15.2-kilometer (9.4-mile) grind up Col de Soudet that has the toughest category rating.
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Photos: OC packs Fourth of July with celebrations
- July 5, 2023
Independence Day celebrations started early in Orange County on Tuesday and the fun wasn’t set to stop until well after the sun went down.
The Laguna Niguel Family YMCA hosts its 44th Run in the Parks with a 5K and kids race. Runners got up early on their Fourth of July to start the races at 8 a.m.
In Villa Park, the Stars on Parade also got an early start with kids lining up at 8:30 a.m. with their red-white-and-blue festooned bikes, trikes, wagons and scooters to tour the neighborhoods and get everyone into the American spirit.
Huntington Beach had a packed day of celebrations, advertised as the biggest west of the Mississippi, and it seemed like most everyone was out in the morning for the always popular parade down Main Street.
Communities throughout the day enjoyed carnivals and concerts and many had fireworks shows planned to light up the night sky across Orange County.
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Andy Murray gets a win at rainy Wimbledon and a thumbs-up from Roger Federer
- July 5, 2023
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
WIMBLEDON, England — On a day filled with far more rain drops than drop shots at Wimbledon — light, but persistent, showers prevented the completion, or even start, of dozens of matches — Roger Federer and Andy Murray provided the highlights.
The retired Federer, who won a men’s-record eight of his 20 Grand Slam titles at the All England Club, was in the front row of the Royal Box, where he sat next to Kate, the Princess of Wales. Federer was saluted with a 1 1/2-minute standing ovation during a pre-match tribute to his career at Centre Court on Tuesday.
Hours later, Murray was down below, competing.
Murray won two of his three Grand Slam titles and one of his two Olympic gold medals on that rather famous patch of grass and — even if those triumphs were long ago; even if he is now 36 with an artificial hip — the locals fondly remember those good times, especially his 2013 championship that made him the first British man in 77 years to win the event. They hope for an attention-grabbing show this fortnight, so Murray got most of the full-throated support that reverberated under the closed roof of the main stadium during a 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 victory over wild-card entry Ryan Peniston in an all-Brit first-round match.
“It was amazing to have some royalty here, but also some tennis royalty, as well,” Murray said during his on-court interview, as Kate and Federer looked on.
“It’s amazing to have Roger here, supporting the event,” Murray said. “Last time I was on this court, and he was watching, was during the (2012) Olympics, and he sat in (Swiss countryman) Stan Wawrinka’s box and was supporting against me. So it was nice to see a couple of claps today after some good shots.”
When the interviewer looked toward the guest of honor to ask, “Roger, you approve of today’s performance?” Federer responded with a thumbs-up.
Peniston’s assessment of Murray: “He was just relentless on every point.”
Murray sounded pleased as well after claiming all 11 of his service games, breaking four times and going 17-for-17 at the net.
“I played some good stuff as the match went on. There were some good signs there,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt sort of physically this good coming into Wimbledon. The last few years have been very challenging. I’m hoping I’m fit and ready for a good run.”
At his age and with his two hip operations plus other assorted setbacks, Murray is not considered among the leading favorites. That is a short list that leads with two names and does not include many more: Novak Djokovic, who has won seven of his 23 major titles at Wimbledon, and Carlos Alcaraz, who is ranked No. 1.
The 20-year-old Alcaraz put on his usual display of variety and athleticism — he hit one shot by wrapping his racket around his body and swinging from behind his back while on the run, making contact but sending the ball long — while beating the about-to-retire Jeremy Chardy 6-0, 6-2, 7-5.
Like Murray, Alcaraz was never truly troubled by his opponent.
Unlike Murray, Alcaraz played at No. 1 Court, so he did not get to perform for Federer.
And, boy, was Alcaraz bitter about that.
“After the match, I was (on) the phone checking everything … all the stories, all the posts. I saw that Roger Federer was here. I was a little bit jealous,” he said with a smile, wearing a white hoodie and bucket hat at his news conference. “Honestly, I want Roger Federer to watch one of my matches, obviously. I (want) to talk a little bit with him. For me, (that) would be amazing.”
Because of the wet weather, the only courts where play was allowed after the rain began on Day 2 were the two with retractable roofs, Centre and No. 1. By the end of the day, only eight of 77 scheduled matches had been completed.
Three leading women — defending champion Elena Rybakina, 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, who is seeded No. 2 — all won, as did the highest-seeded male British player, No. 12 Cam Norrie. But another seeded man from the host country, No. 27 Dan Evans, lost to Quentin Halys of France 6-2, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4. In the last of the matches that concluded — one that commenced at Court 11 on Monday and wrapped up shortly before 10 p.m. at No. 1 Court on Tuesday — No. 29 Tomás Martin Etcheverry finished off a comeback from a two-set deficit to get past Bernabé Zapata Miralles 6-7 (5), 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
Rybakina dropped the opening set against American Shelby Rogers before coming back for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win; Jabeur defeated Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-3; and Sabalenka eliminated Panna Udvardy 6-3, 6-1 in her return after being banned from Wimbledon a year ago along with other players from her country, Belarus, and Russia over the war in Ukraine.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed this place,” Sabalenka said, “until this match.”
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Laguna Woods golf cart parade showcases patriotism
- July 5, 2023
The spirit of 1776 moved Village residents to decorate 100 golf carts for this year’s two Fourth of July parades: 53 golf carts took off from Clubhouse 1, and 47 from Clubhouse 5, according to the recreation department.
They converged at Clubhouse 2 inside Gate 12 for a picnic with burgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, fries and ice cream.
And to burn off all those calories, partygoers packed the dance floor and rocked to the Village favorite, Motown tribute band Stone Soul.
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Joey Chestnut defends title at Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog contest
- July 5, 2023
By CAROLYN THOMPSON (Associated Press)
Eating superstar Joey “Jaws” Chestnut shook off a rain delay and gobbled his way to another win at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, downing 62 franks and buns in 10 minutes.
Chestnut out ate runner-up Geoffrey Esper and the rest of an international field of 15 competitive eaters by double digits to clinch his 16th title. Esper, of Oxford, Massachusetts managed to ingest 49 hot dogs and buns.
In the women’s contest, defending champion Miki Sudo forced down 39 1/2 hot dogs and buns to collect her ninth Mustard Belt. But before the men could compete, stormy weather moved over New York City’s Coney Island and delayed the competition for two hours.
“What a roller coaster, emotionally,” Chestnut said after riding out the rain and wondering whether the famed contest would go on at all. The 39-year-old from Westfield, Indiana first competed for the Nathan’s title in 2005 and hasn’t lost it since 2015.
His best finish was in 2021 when he tallied 76 hot dogs, but Tuesday’s weather disruption made a repeat impossible.
“Everybody got messed up,” Chestnut said.
Sudo beat Mayoi Ebihara’s 33 1/2 hot dogs in 10 minutes in a women’s event that appeared to be much closer until the final count was announced. The unofficial real-time counter showed the two leaders tied throughout much of the competition. A final count of plates settled the score.
Sudo, 37, was disappointed in her winning total, which was nine hot dogs short of her all-time high. She said competition from the 27-year-old Ebihara had thrown her off.
“The first couple minutes, I found myself watching her, which I never want to do. I never want to be distracted by the other competitors,” Sudo, of Port Richey, Florida, said after the competition. “Watching her, I fumbled my hands. I got stuck with a big burp early on but was able to correct.”
The annual contest on New York City’s Coney Island drew competitors from England, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil and Australia, according to ESPN.
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Heroic astronaut Sally Ride honored at unveiling of her statue at Reagan museum
- July 5, 2023
A life-size statue of famed astronaut Sally Ride was unveiled at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Tuesday, July 4, inspiring the patriotic audience as Ride’s sister, Bear Ride, told the crowd, “Sally’s mission was not only ‘to space and back,’ but also to open young minds and hearts to the dedication that can make this planet of ours a better place for us all.”
The intricate bronze statue, now standing on the walkway of the Reagan Library’s Peace Through Strength pavilion, honors Ride’s legacy as the first U.S. woman in space. An astronaut and physicist, she made history in 1983 when she flew into space on the Challenger shuttle.
Bear Ride said that her sister “was a trailblazer and a hero. Here we are looking down on our old home in the San Fernando Valley and remembering and celebrating her.”
Bear Ride and other speakers said they were proud to have the statue in the Los Angeles area, because Sally Ride, who died in 2012 of pancreatic cancer, grew up in Van Nuys and Encino. More than a dozen of her family members and close friends attended the unveiling.
“Her groundbreaking contributions to physics, especially the field of astrophysics, are unparalleled,” said Steven Barber, a filmmaker and one of the organizers of the fundraising to create the statue. “She grew up right around the corner and her spirit is still here.”
President Reagan said on June 18, 1983, “Today marked the launching of the seventh space shuttle flight. This particular shuttle flight is unique in several respects. It’s the first space flight of an American woman — Dr. Sally Ride, another example of the great strides women have made in our country.”
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The Reagan Library hosted several Independence Day festivities in addition to the statue unveiling. Kids in red, white and blue outfits and patriotic face paint ran around on the library lawn, played carnival games and created paper craft projects. And if they got tired from jumping in the inflatable bounce castle or trying to win prizes at the ring toss, there was plenty to do to cool off, like listening to live music in the shade — or soaking their family members with water balloons.
Visitors guessed how many jelly beans — Reagan’s favorite candy — were in a display jar, and others posed with volunteers dressed as famous American historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Betsy Ross.
The event also featured several singers and musicians, including 14-year-old Alexis Silva who performed an original song titled “I think I can fly,” inspired by what Sally Ride’s legacy meant to her. The song ended with cheers from the friendly crowd. “It’s so great to be out here singing today and honoring (Sally Ride),” Silva said. “Happy Fourth of July.”
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Costa Mesa man dead in westside shooting
- July 5, 2023
Costa Mesa detectives are investigating a Monday night shooting that left an unnamed 38-year-old man dead on the city’s west side, police reported Tuesday, July 4.
The shooting occurred around 10:44 p.m. in an alley near the 2000 block of Pomona Avenue.
Officers arrived at the scene and found the Costa Mesa man on the sidewalk. He had been shot several times.
Paramedics transported the man to Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, where he died. His name was being withheld pending next-of-kin notification, police said.
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Lakers’ Max Christie looking to further showcase on-ball skills in summer league
- July 5, 2023
SACRAMENTO — Even as a second-year player, Lakers guard Max Christie has something to prove during summer league.
This was on display in the Lakers’ 107-90 Monday loss to the Miami Heat to tip off the six-team California Classic.
While the loss wasn’t a positive, Christie’s stat line was: 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go with six rebounds and four assists.
But even more encouraging for Christie’s long-term development – and as a potential consistent rotation piece for the Lakers’ main roster in 2023-24 – was not just what he did, but how he played.
“Always good to see a player in their second summer league, just their disposition on both ends of the floor,” Lakers summer league coach JD DuBois said. “Continuing to challenge him to defend and rebound. The offense will continue to take its steps as well.”
Christie, the No. 35 selection in the 2022 NBA draft, played with the poise of a former draft pick going through his second opportunity in the summer league circuit.
The most notable development he showed was offensively as a ball-handler and creator for himself and others in the halfcourt.
Christie had multiple drives where he used his improved handle to manipulate his defender, creating space to get inside the paint and finish or kick out to a teammate.
“It was something I was definitely working on over the summer,” Christie said. “Just being able to make plays for myself and others, being comfortable with the ball in my hands. I thought I did a good job of controlling my pace, controlling the tempo, finding guys and then creating for myself as well.”
Christie played under control and was decisive for all 32 minutes he played.
“It just comes down to experience,” Christie said. “I remember last year in summer league, definitely felt sped up. I wasn’t familiar with the game. I was sort of just trying to find my way out there.
“But now that I’ve got a full year of a full NBA season and even watching in the playoffs and seeing how guys play their games, I’m sort of in that position where I can execute that for myself. That was sort of shown [Monday]. I tried to keep my pace slow. Play at my pace, not let them speed me up. That’s something I’ve been working on.”
Christie also added muscle to his frame during the offseason.
Before summer league started, he estimated he weighed between 200-205 pounds, a significant uptick from the 190 pounds he was listed at for the 2022-23 season.
The extra weight should help him handle physicality better on both ends, making it easier to finish through contact at the rim and guard bigger guards/wings.
There were moments during Monday’s game where Christie was moved or knocked off his spot, but he overall held up well physically.
“He’s matured a lot in his body,” said forward Cole Swider. “He’s matured a lot in his game as well. He’s making a lot quicker decisions. He’s able to make that midrange jump shot. He’s able to shoot the 3. He’s able to beat guys off the dribble and use his body and finish over guys. And then defensively, he’s always been super solid. It’s been really great to see him progress over the past year.”
Most second-year players on standard roster contracts don’t play entire summer-league slates, so Christie may not play a full summer league schedule.
The Lakers play again Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center before competing in the league-wide Summer League in Las Vegas, starting with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors Friday.
An area Christie said he can improve on during summer league is not passing up as many 3-pointers as he did Monday.
“I was trying to put it on the floor too much,” he said. “Not that I wasn’t confident in the 3, I’m just so used to putting pressure on the rim. That’s something I can improve on for sure.
“In terms of being more aggressive, that’s something I can definitely work on. I’ll let the game come to me. At the same time, I want to be sure I’m being the catalyst for the team because I feel like if I’m the catalyst, everybody will sort of follow and that’ll lead to more wins. Just trying to find that balance. That’s what summer league is for – seeing what you can improve on and taking it one step at a time.”
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