Women sport news

Croatian High Jump queen Blanka Vlasic was voted the European Female Athlete of the Month for June.

The following athletes have been chosen to represent Great Britain in Beijing.

The top three seeded teams all earned spots on the podium of the US$350,000 World Series13. Highlighting the final day of action was the German team of Stephanie Pohl and Okka Rau, who won the first women's gold medal in the history of the SWATCH FIVB World Tour.

England Women Under 20s were crowned champions of the inaugural Nations Cup in Toronto, Canada on Saturday night after defeating the host nation 30-7 in the final at Appleby College. photo Jose Lagman

An Under 18s female rugby player and volunteer from Barrow has been honoured with a Young Coaches Scholarship.

Scotland’s under-21 women scraped a 2-1 win over the hosts from the Czech Republic, newly-promoted from the third tier of European competition. photo Eurohockey.org

Paige Hareb (NZL) made history at the inaugural ASP Grade-1 Women’s Fantastic Cup Pro Junior presented by Nippy’s today, claiming victory in South Australia for the first time in over ten years.

Valerie Ghibaudo takes an early lead on the opening day of competition in Fuerteventura. Challenging conditions and an ample dose of surprises marked the start of competition in Fuerteventura, and set the scene for the forthcoming four days of race action. photo PWA Carter

Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou, The Loft) stamped her authority on the day’s proceedings, by winning two out of the three women’s races. Marking a return to form, Karin Jaggi (F2, North Sails) emerged victorious in race four but remains seventh overall following her early disastrous results. photo PWA Carter

Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou, The Loft) continued to dominate, winning both race eliminations and one full fleet race. Karin Jaggi claimed victory in the remaining full fleet race. photo PWA Carter

In the ladies fleet, Charlotte Consorti (FRA) took two bullets and is clearly ahead of Sjoukje Bredenkamp (RSA) now. Katja Roose in third.

The youngest female Flatwater racing canoeist to go to an Olympics, Jessica Walker, has demonstrated her form by storming through the heats and winning Gold today, in the Women’s K1 (kayak single) 1000m event at the Junior and Under 23 European Championships in Hungary.

After a couple of weekends at home it was road trip time again and this time I was off to Alp D’Huez to take part in a week of riding and a race that I have always wanted to do – the Mega Avalanche.

USA Volleyball, based on input by U.S. Women’s National Indoor Volleyball Head Coach ‘Jenny’ Lang Ping and her coaching staff, has nominated the 12 players who will represent Team USA at the 2008 Olympic Games in August, pending official confirmation by the United States Olympic Committee. photo USA Volleyball Tom Kimmell

One week ago, Aleksandra Wozniak was sweating out a three-set victory on the opening day of qualifying competition. On Sunday afternoon, the Canadian qualifier will attempt to win her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title.

The first Letchworth Primary Schools’ Rugby Festival was a huge success on Monday. 400 children in Years 4 and 5 from five different primary schools took part in six hours of competitive tag rugby at the festival at Letchworth Rugby Club.

LPGA Tour rookie Yani Tseng (66-66-66=198, -18) has her sights set on her second win of the season, as she takes a two-stroke lead over Katie Futcher into Sunday's final round of the LPGA State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill.

BIRTHDAY girl Emma Bonney added the English Ladies Open Billiards Championship to her three world titles in Norfolk on Sunday. photo Kevin Legg

Next week, on July 24/26, the City of Dubna in Russia will have the distinction of hosting more World Cup Stops than any other on the international circuit today. This 5th year will highlight the significant impact the event has had on the City itself and also attract a host of new talent to this exclusive Waterski event.

The International Skating Union (ISU) has announced the selection of U.S. Figure Skating as the host federation for the 2010 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. The event will take place in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 9-10, 2010, at the Colorado Springs World Arena.

On Saturday I raced at the Lifetime fitness race in Minneapolis. This was the race that used to be the big money "battle of the sexes" race, with $250,000 on the line for the first male or female across the line.

The USD 600,000 SWATCH FIVB World Tour 1 to 1 Energy Grand Slam 2008 in Gstaad, Switzerland, is fast approaching and there is an added element of excitement this year ahead of the super-successful annual event as it will host the Drawing of lots for the Olympic Games Beach Volleyball Tournaments.

German teams comprise half of the remaining teams in the US$350,000 World Series13, as six teams are still in contention for the medal rounds which will be held on Sunday. photo FIVB

Ai Sugiyama rallied from a set and 5-2 down to reach her first semifinal since 2006, and will next face No.6 seed Marion Bartoli. No.1 seed Serena Williams has Aleksandra Wozniak next.

Top-seeded Agnes Szavay was given all she could handle on Friday but fought hard to reach the quarterfinals of the Gastein Ladies. Only three seeds remain at the Tier III event. photo Paul Cowan

England Hockey is pleased to announce the squads selected to represent England at the UK School Games between 28-31 August in Bristol and Bath.