Women sport news

Alice Arutkin draws the slalom fleet’s first blood with victory in the opening race elimination of the Vietnam PWA Grand Slam. photo PWA

Whilst Leicester were narrowly missing out on promotion from the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy by finishing third; EuroCanterbury went first in Women’s Premier Division despite a loss on Sunday. Women’s Premier Division Photos from John Coxon

The USC Women of Troy basketball team faced a more than formidable opponent in Stanford. While posting a 22-2 record, Stanford had not played very many close games in the 2010-2011 season. Interview by Calvin Morris

Sailing's double Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ayton has today announced she is to retire from the sport with immediate effect, thus ending her quest for an historic third Olympic title at the London 2012 Games. Richard Langdon/Skandia Team

Julia Janssen is the Director of Marketing for the Lansing Lugnuts located in Lansing, Michigan. They have been Affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays since 2005. They are in the Midwest League. Interview by Norm Coleman

Five time World Champion Hanka Kupfernagel is to link with Horizon Fitness RT for the 2011 road season. In a partnership that will see Hanka ride several professional races with the team in her build up to her major targets which include the World Time Trial Championships. There is also the chance that Hanka will race in the UK in some key events.

SURREY STORM 77-49 LEEDS CARNEGIE

For the second consecutive year, worldwide leaders in high-performance protective gear, Giro will get the BRITS rocking when they host the Gir British Big Air Championships and present The Correspondents at this year’s BRITS Music & Snow Festival, 20th – 27th March, LAAX, Switzerland.

Lawn bowls' fiercest rivalry will reignite tomorrow (2/3) when Australia tackles New Zealand in the opening Trans Tasman test in Invercargill.

Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, a young and talented Thai player destined for great things in the future, gave tennis fans at the BMW Malaysian Open 2011 a pleasant surprise when she beat World number 100 Alberta Brianti of Itlay on Centre Court over a grueling three sets late Monday night, posting a 6 – 4, 2 – 6, 6 – 2 win. photo bmwmalaysianopen.com

The on-going BMW Malaysian Open 2011 today spread its influence and reach for a good cause as four professional women’s tennis players currently taking part in the tournament took time off their busy and hectic schedules to support a good cause, ‘The Power Over Cervical Cancer (POCC) Report and photo bmwmalaysianopen.com

Defending champion Alisa Kleybanova started off her defence of the BMW Malaysian Open 2011 in fine style at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort in Kuala Lumpur. She took just over an hour to defeat China’s Lu Jing-Jing, who went through the qualifying rounds, 6-1, 6-1 to book her place in the second round. photo bmwmalaysianopen.com

The Swiss freestyle-destination LAAX is ready for the next freestyle event highlight. For the 6th time LAAX host and organize the European Freeski Open and offers outstanding freeski performances on its mountain. photo Christian Stadler

ENGLAND’s surprise World Cup 2018 Bid ‘hero’, Eddie Afekafe, today has given his backing to the growing ‘Say Yes’ campaign which supports British Basketball’s bid for a place in the London 2012 Olympics.

Young Chinese divers occupied the majority of the podiums yet again in the second stage of the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2011, taking place

Great Britain women’s coach Audrey Cooper has said she expects her side to perform well at the London 2012 Olympic Games next year as she looks to the team to help build a foundation for the future of volleyball in the country. photo FIVB

This year’s ISU World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championship was held in Courmayeur, Italy. Hee Jung Cheon awas crowned Ladies 2011 Champion respectively.

Karolina Erbanová (CZE) was crowned Junior Allround World Champions on the outdoor ice of Seinäjoki in Finland this weekend.

Karrie Webb of Australia collected one of women’s golf’s most prestigious titles when she won the 2011 HSBC Women’s Champions at Tanah Merah Country Club in Singapore after a final-day duel with Japan’s Chie Arimura and world number one Yani Tseng from Chinese Taipei. photo Getty Images

England's Emma Beddoes made up for the disappointment of finishing as runner-up two years ago by winning the 2011 Women's Meadowood Pharmacy Squash Open at the Winnipeg Winter Club in Winnipeg, Canada.

In March, the popular resort of Levi, up in the Northern Finland, will be witnessing an all-girls ultimate snowboard showdown. Female riders from all over the world will make their way to compete at the 4Star Battery Catfight on the 23rd to 27th of February.

The hearts of Haier Pulse fans raced wildly for the second time in as many days as the Central side came agonizingly close to upsetting giants First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in Wellington tonight, dipping out 46-44.

A scorching first quarter set the Melbourne Vixens up for a pulsating 49-45 win over the NSW Swifts in ANZ Championship action in Sydney today.

The Queensland Firebirds continued their perfect start to the ANZ Championship season after delivering an emphatic 64-41 win against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, in Brisbane today.

The technical meeting of the African Zone 6 volleyball qualifier for the 2011 All Africa Games was held at the Coastlands Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa on Sunday as the schedule for the tournament was unveiled. photo FIVB

Namibian beach volleyball fans are set to be treated to seven tournaments this year as DTS, together with the sponsorship of Maerua Superspar, have announced their 2011 DTS Beach Volleyball Series. photo FIVB