Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Wimbledon championships going 3-D
WIMBLEDON, England (AP)—Wimbledon is going 3-D.
The men’s semifinals and men’s and women’s finals at this summer’s tournament will be shown live by 3-D-capable movie theaters around the world.
Wimbledon becomes the latest major sporting event to be available in 3-D.
The deal was announced Monday as part of the Wimbledon’s multiyear partnership with Sony.
All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie says “Wimbledon is renowned for its heritage and sense of tradition.
At the same time we are always looking for ways to improve the presentation of the championships by successfully blending that tradition with innovation.”
I find it funny that it took them forever to get a retractable roof yet, they jump on this right away. I guess times do change. I still hate the whole idea.
Yahoo Sports
The men’s semifinals and men’s and women’s finals at this summer’s tournament will be shown live by 3-D-capable movie theaters around the world.
Wimbledon becomes the latest major sporting event to be available in 3-D.
The deal was announced Monday as part of the Wimbledon’s multiyear partnership with Sony.
All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie says “Wimbledon is renowned for its heritage and sense of tradition.
At the same time we are always looking for ways to improve the presentation of the championships by successfully blending that tradition with innovation.”
Yahoo Sports
Monday, March 07, 2011
Sony buys Hawk-eye system
LONDON (AP)—Electronics giant Sony has completed the purchase of Hawk-Eye, the British-based company that provides ball-tracking technology in tennis and cricket.
Financial details weren’t disclosed.
Hawk-Eye is also used in snooker, while soccer world governing body FIFA could utilize the tracking system as it looks to introduce technology to rule on goal-line decisions.
Paul Hawkins, inventor of Hawk-Eye, said Monday the takeover by Sony would create “immense opportunities for the sports industry.”
Hmm, I wonder if they'll eventually make this 3-D too.
Yahoo Sports
Financial details weren’t disclosed.
Hawk-Eye is also used in snooker, while soccer world governing body FIFA could utilize the tracking system as it looks to introduce technology to rule on goal-line decisions.
Paul Hawkins, inventor of Hawk-Eye, said Monday the takeover by Sony would create “immense opportunities for the sports industry.”
Hmm, I wonder if they'll eventually make this 3-D too.
Yahoo Sports
Friday, March 04, 2011
Zac Hanson introduces his new daughter Junia Rosa Ruth
Jeremy Charles
“Junia is such a sweet gift,” says the Hanson drummer, 25, who also has a son Shepherd, who turns 3 in May. “It has been so much fun to get to know her and to watch her along with her big brother grow and change so quickly.”
These days, Zac is likely tops on his 5½-year-old niece Penelope‘s list — until now, Taylor Hanson‘s daughter, been holding her own as the lone lady among six little boys in the family (her three brothers and as many boy cousins).
“We are looking forward to bringing Junia along on all of our adventures,” adds the proud papa, “and showing her the world.”
Not to mention the family business. Junia’s brother and her six cousins (Taylor has four kids; Isaac Hanson has two) have gone on tour with their dads’ band, and there are opportunities for music video cameos, too.
Following Ezra, 8, (Taylor’s oldest son) and Penelope’s appearance in the band’s hit video for “Thinkin’ Bout Something“, a trio of other little Hansons pop up in their new one.
Just past the three-minute mark and elsewhere in the video for the band’s new single, “Give a Little,” fans can spot Isaac’s sons Everett, who turns 4 in April, and Monroe, 2½, in addition to Taylor’s son River, 4½.
(His youngest son, Viggo, 2, sat this one out.)
Time to get a pair of dancin’ shoes, Junia!
People.com
Awww, look at Shepherd hard to believe he's almost 3 already!.
They really do grow up fast. Looks like he's certainly inherited his dad's hair and eyes :).
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Song of the Moment: Sarah Mclachlan-Bring on the Wonder
Such a beautiful cover (no one does covers better then Sarah). You can find it on Sarah's latest album "Laws of Illusion".
Here's the Susan Enan orignal which I love equally.
I first heard it on Bones and just fell in love with it. It's so hauntingly beautiful.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Martina Hingis talks tennis and horse riding
Finding Martina Hingis in the Floodgate estate these days is not a surprise. The former tennis player who dominated the world rankings between 1997 and 2001, accompanied her husband, Thibault Hutin, involved in 4 Atlantic edition of the Tour.
But the presence of former world number one has stolen the spotlight with some of the world's best riders. Nothing that Hingis is not accustomed to.
Away from the courts, the 30 year old Swiss continues to smile ready and available to chat, sign autographs or interviews like this one that she gave the audience during the third visit to Portugal.
How do you feel in your new life away from the rider and courts?
I always liked to compete with my horses and that's how I met my husband. Sometimes it's good to do anything without pressure. It's something completely different than tennis, though sometimes frustrating, because I was number one for four years in a row (in tennis) and I don't have the same level in equestrianism or any ambitions.
It is a very different sport then tennis, we have to concentrate for a minute, but when wrong it is done, over. In tennis, we have more time, we could lose a set, wake up and win. It is also an expensive sport and you don't earn the same amount of money. When I earned a check for 1500 euros, it seemed to me to be missing a zero [laughs]. But thanks to tennis, I have money for this sport. I have two horses in competition here with me and have another for playback.
I remember you had a fall from a horse five weeks before the first final of Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam that you had never won ...
I was 17, but did other sports like horse riding, skiing ... I've always liked variety in my life. If I only played tennis it just wasn't me. I like to move, the speed, but do not go to the limits. I always had that lifestyle and physical fitness I was always outdoors.
I like to be flexible so as to be equally flexible on the court and have different game strategies. This fall may not have helped me at Roland Garros, but maybe it helped me win Wimbledon, a few weeks later.
And the other end, in 1999 [lost to Steffi Graf, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2] you received a point penalty for having moved to the front of the court to check an opponent mark (when winning by 6 - 4, 2-0) and eventually turned the public against you?
This I also would have liked to have won. I regret this more. I was winning 6-4, 5-4, 30-30, two points from victory, but my serve was not working. People are always reminding me of that, especially journalists [laughs], the rest do not usually think about it. In fact, recently I was reviewing the video with my husband and I was surprised at the level of play, and with the high-quality of tennis. I lost in the end, but it was a great game tennis quality, good points, long exchanges of the ball, very tactical ... I am also proud to have made history, because it was a meeting which was voted by fans as the best ever [vote online at the official site of the WTA Tour].
You finished in tears at the end and did not want to return to court for the trophy ceremony. What do you remember of that time?
Yes, of course it was an end with much emotion, because I wanted to win. But there were always stories about me. I've always been very emotional, always smiling when I was winning, when I was losing I was angry. At that time there were players with very different personalities, there were the Williams sisters, Capriati, Seles, Kournikova, different guys with different styles ... it was a good time for tennis. Today, all players have the same style, one-dimensional.
This lack of variety of styles was one of the reasons you returned in late 2005?
I felt I still had a chance and it was always best to do it at 25 years than at 30. I was proud to have reached No. 6 in the world again. Today it's amazing what happened to Kim [Clijsters], reaching number one.
I don't know if it is harder to reach the top, but tennis is more physical, there are more players with a high level, like Jankovic and Wozniacki, and veterans are still in the circuit like the Williams sisters (when they play well), also Li Na at 28 to reach the final of the Australian Open ... Even Serena, when she is physically well, is amazing. The older generation of players can play tennis better, more technical, because they have a better education/experience. The newer ones play more standard tennis, when things are going well, they have no plan B.
The return of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters did not motivate you for a second comeback? Wouldn't you have like to have left the circuit another way than the accusation of cocaine use that precipitated your final withdrawal in 2007?
That's already history, but of course it is not the way I wanted to leave a mode where I was on top for so many years. It's one thing I can not change. I made a return that was successful and ready.
Your current connection to tennis comes down to commentating for television and radio?
It's more to follow some young players at the Academy that my mother has in Zurich - we have the best under-14 European, Belinda Becici you will hear about her!. I play two to three times a week with friends, do some exhibitions.
I'll play the Legends tournament [proof of veterans] at Roland Garros, and perhaps at Wimbledon, and then the Team Tennis [team competition very popular in America, which joins current and former champions] - always liked the team spirit!. I don't need any special preparation because I'm always doing different sports.
Current players you would like to see more?
The new, the one that is on top Caroline Wozniacki. I think she is very effective, makes the most of her abilities. But only when she wins a Grand Slam will she have the recognition from the world of tennis. I played with her about three times when she was 20 or 30 in the world and she has improved considerably. Her serve, is very consistent and, of course, dispute many tournaments. What she lacks is a major, because that is where you have to beat the best when they are at their maximum.
Know some Portuguese players?
I know Michelle Brito, hit balls with her a couple times, three years ago in an exhibition in Liverpool and again in the U.S.. When I was young, I had potential, but today it takes more. Physically being small is such a deficit, so she has to work harder in other areas. Like me: who was not very tall or strong, all the rest had to be very good, almost perfect.
desporto.pt
translated by Google edited for grammar by me (it's a bit rough sorry don't know Portuguese)
But the presence of former world number one has stolen the spotlight with some of the world's best riders. Nothing that Hingis is not accustomed to.
Away from the courts, the 30 year old Swiss continues to smile ready and available to chat, sign autographs or interviews like this one that she gave the audience during the third visit to Portugal.
How do you feel in your new life away from the rider and courts?
I always liked to compete with my horses and that's how I met my husband. Sometimes it's good to do anything without pressure. It's something completely different than tennis, though sometimes frustrating, because I was number one for four years in a row (in tennis) and I don't have the same level in equestrianism or any ambitions.
It is a very different sport then tennis, we have to concentrate for a minute, but when wrong it is done, over. In tennis, we have more time, we could lose a set, wake up and win. It is also an expensive sport and you don't earn the same amount of money. When I earned a check for 1500 euros, it seemed to me to be missing a zero [laughs]. But thanks to tennis, I have money for this sport. I have two horses in competition here with me and have another for playback.
I remember you had a fall from a horse five weeks before the first final of Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam that you had never won ...
I was 17, but did other sports like horse riding, skiing ... I've always liked variety in my life. If I only played tennis it just wasn't me. I like to move, the speed, but do not go to the limits. I always had that lifestyle and physical fitness I was always outdoors.
I like to be flexible so as to be equally flexible on the court and have different game strategies. This fall may not have helped me at Roland Garros, but maybe it helped me win Wimbledon, a few weeks later.
And the other end, in 1999 [lost to Steffi Graf, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2] you received a point penalty for having moved to the front of the court to check an opponent mark (when winning by 6 - 4, 2-0) and eventually turned the public against you?
This I also would have liked to have won. I regret this more. I was winning 6-4, 5-4, 30-30, two points from victory, but my serve was not working. People are always reminding me of that, especially journalists [laughs], the rest do not usually think about it. In fact, recently I was reviewing the video with my husband and I was surprised at the level of play, and with the high-quality of tennis. I lost in the end, but it was a great game tennis quality, good points, long exchanges of the ball, very tactical ... I am also proud to have made history, because it was a meeting which was voted by fans as the best ever [vote online at the official site of the WTA Tour].
You finished in tears at the end and did not want to return to court for the trophy ceremony. What do you remember of that time?
Yes, of course it was an end with much emotion, because I wanted to win. But there were always stories about me. I've always been very emotional, always smiling when I was winning, when I was losing I was angry. At that time there were players with very different personalities, there were the Williams sisters, Capriati, Seles, Kournikova, different guys with different styles ... it was a good time for tennis. Today, all players have the same style, one-dimensional.
This lack of variety of styles was one of the reasons you returned in late 2005?
I felt I still had a chance and it was always best to do it at 25 years than at 30. I was proud to have reached No. 6 in the world again. Today it's amazing what happened to Kim [Clijsters], reaching number one.
I don't know if it is harder to reach the top, but tennis is more physical, there are more players with a high level, like Jankovic and Wozniacki, and veterans are still in the circuit like the Williams sisters (when they play well), also Li Na at 28 to reach the final of the Australian Open ... Even Serena, when she is physically well, is amazing. The older generation of players can play tennis better, more technical, because they have a better education/experience. The newer ones play more standard tennis, when things are going well, they have no plan B.
The return of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters did not motivate you for a second comeback? Wouldn't you have like to have left the circuit another way than the accusation of cocaine use that precipitated your final withdrawal in 2007?
That's already history, but of course it is not the way I wanted to leave a mode where I was on top for so many years. It's one thing I can not change. I made a return that was successful and ready.
Your current connection to tennis comes down to commentating for television and radio?
It's more to follow some young players at the Academy that my mother has in Zurich - we have the best under-14 European, Belinda Becici you will hear about her!. I play two to three times a week with friends, do some exhibitions.
I'll play the Legends tournament [proof of veterans] at Roland Garros, and perhaps at Wimbledon, and then the Team Tennis [team competition very popular in America, which joins current and former champions] - always liked the team spirit!. I don't need any special preparation because I'm always doing different sports.
Current players you would like to see more?
The new, the one that is on top Caroline Wozniacki. I think she is very effective, makes the most of her abilities. But only when she wins a Grand Slam will she have the recognition from the world of tennis. I played with her about three times when she was 20 or 30 in the world and she has improved considerably. Her serve, is very consistent and, of course, dispute many tournaments. What she lacks is a major, because that is where you have to beat the best when they are at their maximum.
Know some Portuguese players?
I know Michelle Brito, hit balls with her a couple times, three years ago in an exhibition in Liverpool and again in the U.S.. When I was young, I had potential, but today it takes more. Physically being small is such a deficit, so she has to work harder in other areas. Like me: who was not very tall or strong, all the rest had to be very good, almost perfect.
desporto.pt
translated by Google edited for grammar by me (it's a bit rough sorry don't know Portuguese)
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Dancing with the Stars season 12 cast and pairings revealed
Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff
Sugar Ray Leonard and Anna Trebunskaya
WWE star Chris Jericho and Cheryl Burke
E! boobmonger Kendra Wilkinson and Louis van Amstel
Wendy Williams and Tony Dovolani
Rapper Lil Romeo and Chelsie Hightower
Disney actress Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas
Footballer Hines Ward and Kym Johnson
“Psycho” Mike Catherwood and Lacey Schwimmer
Petra Nemcova and Dmitry Chaplin
popwatch
Interesting choices, too bad Jamie Lee Curtis didn't work out that would have been really fun.
Other then Ralph Macchio and Kirstie Alley I really don't know anybody else, but as popwatch points out it might be interesting learning more about them.
Also Kirstie with Maksim I can see her having a lot of fun with him! (plenty of frustration as well I'm sure). But it could work well.
And the Karate Kid (nice!), if they manage to stick around they just might be reason enough to watch.
The new season starts Monday March 21st.
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff
Sugar Ray Leonard and Anna Trebunskaya
WWE star Chris Jericho and Cheryl Burke
E! boobmonger Kendra Wilkinson and Louis van Amstel
Wendy Williams and Tony Dovolani
Rapper Lil Romeo and Chelsie Hightower
Disney actress Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas
Footballer Hines Ward and Kym Johnson
“Psycho” Mike Catherwood and Lacey Schwimmer
Petra Nemcova and Dmitry Chaplin
popwatch
Interesting choices, too bad Jamie Lee Curtis didn't work out that would have been really fun.
Other then Ralph Macchio and Kirstie Alley I really don't know anybody else, but as popwatch points out it might be interesting learning more about them.
Also Kirstie with Maksim I can see her having a lot of fun with him! (plenty of frustration as well I'm sure). But it could work well.
And the Karate Kid (nice!), if they manage to stick around they just might be reason enough to watch.
The new season starts Monday March 21st.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)