CANADIAN WOMEN THREE-PEAT AT WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL GOLD CUP

KITAKYUSHU, Japan - Team Canada won their third consecutive Gold Cup world championship last Saturday in Kitakyushu Japan with a decisive 49-38 victory over the USA. The victory was also the sixth in a series of world titles that include Paralympic victories in 1992, 1996 and 2000.

The first quarter started rather poorly for Canada, as they managed to shoot a mere 2 for 14, while the Americans shot only slightly better at 5 for 16. It was however, good enough to open up a 10-4 lead over Canada. Canada's defensive strategy of stopping the US top scorer worked, but other players managed to get the job done. Jennifer Krempien effectively shut down the US's top player and began to tire her out.

The USA meanwhile were not to be denied as their top scorer finally hit for 3 quick baskets, but then Arley McNeney came into the game and dominated the inside on defense and attack. Marni Abbott continued her strong play at point guard while both her and Krempien scored at opportune times to finish the game with a couple of points each.

The third quarter closed with Sabrina Pettinicchi plying solid low post defense against her taller American opponent, allowing Canada a point advantage elsewhere. The fourth quarter began with Canada clinging to a slim 2 point lead, 29-27, and then it was basically the Tracey Ferguson show as she hit 5 baskets in a row and then scored a couple of foul shots to essentially send the Americans packing. After that, it was the solid defense of Shira Golden and Marnie Peters who stopped the US attack, and managed to handle the full court pressure effectively.

Kendra Ohama of Calgary made her presence felt.

Canada's Joanne Kelly was on the bench but was unable to play. Canada finished the game by passing the ball around while frantic US players were attempting to foul.

Ferguson ended the game with a game high 20 points. After the game and the ceremonial cutting of the net, the Canadian coaching staff of Head Coach Tim Frick and Assistant Coaches Carrie Linegar, Trish Nicholson and Steve Bialowas were calm but overjoyed with the victory.

Their sentiments were best summed up by Physiotherapist Paige Larson who stated, "the team really played their hearts out and eventually our tactics wore the opponents down!"

CANADA'S SINCLAIR SWEEPS GOLDEN HARDWARE AT WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

EDMONTON (CP) - Christine Sinclair was looking for a gold medal - not a gold shoe and a gold ball - at the FIFA women's under-19 soccer world championship Sunday.

Sinclair, from Burnaby, B.C., was awarded the golden soccer ball when she was named the tournament's most valuable player after Canada lost 1-0 to the U.S. in the championship final.

Sinclair, Canada's team captain, also was awarded the golden shoe for leading all players in scoring with 10 goals, beating out Wilson, who had nine, and U.S. team captain Lindsay Tarpley, who had six. But it was that sixth goal, scored by Tarpley in overtime, which relegated Canada to a silver medal. Germany won the bronze. Sinclair said that, some day, winning the tourney's top awards will be special to her, but not today.

Teammate Michelle Rowe said Sinclair earns respect with her humble disposition and her willingness to play despite being injured. Sinclair hurt her ankle in the late moments of Thursday's semifinal against Brazil, but played through the pain, not even mentioning the injury.

"Someone like that totally deserves all the glory," Rowe said. "I am really proud of her. " But beginning on Monday, the 19-year-old will be doing laundry with her mother back in B.C. and getting ready for the drive down to the University of Portland to start school.

Another team, the University of Portland Pilots, awaits. Notes: Japan won the tournament's fair play award, which is based on on-field behaviour toward referees and players, sportsmanship, and the number of red and yellow cards against the team.

MTB WORLD CHAMPS WRAP UP WITH 3 MEDALS, AND ANOTHER WORLD CHAMPION TITLE FOR GREEN

KAPRUN, Austria - Roland Green won his second consecutive World Championship medal in XC mountain biking, in Kaprun, Austria on the weekend. Under heavy rain, the Victoria native finished the 4.5 laps (down from 5 due to weather) in 2:19:02.

On the women's side, Alison Sydor of North Vancouver finished 4th. Sydor, already a three-time World Champion for Elite women (94-96), has an incredible record of finishing top 5 of every World Championships held since 1991, when she first started racing MTB.

1. DAHLE, Gunn-Rita (NOR) 2:14:05 2. SZAFRANIEC, Anna (POL) 2:15:28 3. SPITZ, Sabine (GER) 2:16:53 4. SYDOR, Alison (CAN) 2:17:41 5. HENZI, Petra (SUI) 2:22:26 7. REDDEN, Chrissy (CAN) 2:24:02 8. BISARO, Kiara (CAN) 2:24:44 16. PREMONT, Marie-Helene (CAN) 2:29:16 31. SINCLAIR, Trish (CAN) 2:39:42 34. CHORNEY, Eron (CAN) 2:41:34 53. WALTER, Sandra (CAN) -1Lap

Alison Sydor

Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, desperately wanted that top spot as this is his last year in Espoir, but settled for Bronze.

Canada also won the gold in the Team Relay last week.