Bugaluu :: Sports

Chloe Kim of the United States lands a jump in the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

Feb. 11 (UPI) — American Chloe Kim began her quest for an unprecedented third-consecutive gold medal with mesmerizing runs Wednesday in Olympic halfpipe qualifiers.

Kim posted the top score, with a 90.25 on her first run on the halfpipe at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy. Japan’s Sara Shimizu was second, with an 87.50 from her second run. American Maddie Mastro posted the third-best score, with an 86.00 on her second run.

Fellow American Bea Kim also was one of 12 qualifiers for the final. Her 76.75 first run was the 10th-best score of the day.

Kim will attempt to become the first snowboarder in history to win gold in the same event three consecutive times during the halfpipe final Thursday in Livigno.

“I’m just going to do what I came here to do, and if they decide to give it to me, then awesome,” Kim told NBC. “I’m really just grateful to be in the position where I’ve won all these events multiple times.

Chloe Kim of the United States competes in women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

“The fact that I’m able to be here and riding, and being confident, is all I can ask for.”

Chloe Kim of the United States grabs her board in women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

Two-time Gold medalist Chloe Kim WOWS with a huge first run in halfpipe qualifying. ‍

Peacock | #WinterOlympicspic.twitter.com/x9sIIICdEg— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 11, 2026

Chloe Kim of the United States competes in women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

Kim, who sustained a dislocated shoulder last month during training in Laax, Switzerland, was in fine form for the qualifier. She landed sensation tricks, including a switch 1080 and beautiful drifting and inverted 540 as her boyfriend, Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, looked on during her qualifying session.

The women’s halfpipe final will air at 1:30 p.m. EST Thursday on NBC.

Chloe Kim of the United States flies during women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI

Men’s halfpipe qualification will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Livigno Snow Park. The men’s final will air at 1:30 p.m. Friday on NBC. Americans failed to make the podium through the first three days of snowboarding medal competitions.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/watch-snowboarder-chloe-kim-wows-174201040.html 

T20 World Cup, Group C, Mumbai

West Indies 196-6 (20 overs): Rutherford 76* (42); Rashid 2-16

England 166 (19 overs): Curran 43* (30); Motie 3-33

West Indies won by 30 runs

Scorecard. Tables

England’s batters were spun out in Mumbai as Harry Brook’s side were beaten by 30 runs by West Indies in their second match at the T20 World Cup.

England made a flying start in pursuit of 197 but fell from 74-1 to 166 all out, with six wickets in succession taken by the Windies’ spinners through the middle overs.

Gudakesh Motie conjured a spell of 3-33, dismissing Jacob Bethell for 33, Tom Banton for two and Brook for 17, while part-timer Roston Chase chipped in with the wickets of Jos Buttler and Will Jacks.

Sam Curran held firm for 43 not out but ran out of partners when Adil Rashid holed out at the end of the penultimate over.

Earlier, England leaked runs – Jofra Archer’s one wicket cost 48 runs, while Curran’s single victim came at a cost of 36 in three overs – to allow West Indies to post 196-6 at Wankhede Stadium.

Sherfane Rutherford was the main beneficiary, scoring 74 from 42 deliveries, while being dropped on 23 and 56.

There were contributions of 34 from Chase and 33 in 17 balls by Jason Holder as well.

The defeat is not terminal for England’s hopes – victories against Scotland on Saturday and Italy on Monday in Kolkata would likely send them through to the Super 8s – but it leaves them little room for manoeuvre.

Rutherford lifts Windies as Archer struggles

Though Archer had captain Shai Hope caught in the first over and fellow opener Brandon King slashed Curran to deep point in the second, West Indies were always dangerous given their stacked batting line-up.

England continued to take regular wickets but only Adil Rashid, who claimed 2-16, managed to slow the scoring.

Whereas Chase took 2-29 after being brought into the XI, England’s part-time off-spinner Will Jacks was hit for 32 in two overs – Brook’s decision to give him one over in the powerplay costing 19 runs.

Archer, who also struggled against Nepal on Sunday, was wayward with his lines.

Rutherford had his moments. The first chance offered was a leading edge that flew to deep third man, with Rashid unable to take the catch or flick the ball back inside the rope.

That was a tough chance but Rashid would be disappointed not to take a chance off his own bowling when Rutherford skied a slog sweep in the 18th over.

The left-hander added another 18 runs from seven balls after that miss while Holder hit four sixes, three of which came in the 18th over bowled by Curran.

With dew not playing a part in making the ball harder to grip for the West Indies bowlers, it proved too much for England when the ball turned.

Familiar problems for England

England’s struggles against spin are not unique to this latest side. They go back generations.

If fans hoped this iteration had found a successful method when in Sri Lanka before this tournament, this result – under the pressure that comes with a World Cup chase – suggests otherwise.

When the ball was hard and with pace to face, England, who were beaten by West Indies in the final of the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, had no issues.

Phil Salt took 24 from the second over, bowled by Holder, and West Indies’ total looked 15 runs below par.

However, the game changed when Buttler miscued Chase to long-on for 21.

It opened the door to Motie, who impressively mixed wrist and finger-spin to have Banton and Brook chipping catches either side of zipping one through Bethell’s defence and onto the stumps.

Curran was England’s hero with the ball in their final-over win against Nepal on Sunday but he never really looked like finding the boundaries needed when pace returned at the death.

It was a fine all-round performance from West Indies, who caught every chance in the field, and now top the group with two wins from two.

They face Nepal at this venue on Sunday, before playing Italy in Kolkata on Thursday, 19 February.

Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/england-spun-west-indies-t20-172051456.html 

Pisa vs AC Milan: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction

Serie A hopefuls AC Milan will continue their title pursuit on Friday evening as they face off against Pisa at Stadio Romeo Anconetani.

The hosts, meanwhile, are seeking to give their quest for survival a big boost with what would be a first league win since early November.

Match preview

Having had their round 24 clash against Como – originally scheduled for Sunday – postponed, Milan watched Inter Milan stretch their lead at the top of the standings to eight points.

This has left Max Allegri’s men with a mountain to climb if they are usurp their city rivals in the final months of the campaign, and any dropped points from here on out could spell the end of their Scudetto charge.

The Rossoneri have won three of their last four matches ahead of the upcoming clash against Pisa, who claimed a hard-fought 2-2 point in the reverse fixture back at San Siro.

Before that, Milan had won both previous meetings between the teams and will be confident of another positive result to maintain their unbeaten run in this fixture.

Friday’s visitors have not lost a league game on the road this season, largely due to a solid defensive unit that has conceded just eight times in 12 away outings.

Back in the top flight for the first time since 1991, Pisa have underwhelmed on their Serie A return and are headed back for the second tier, barring a late turnaround.

Oscar Hiljemark’s men are currently 19th in the table after a goalless draw against Verona on Friday.

I Torri drew yet another blank last time out which was in keeping with their struggles in front of goal all season long, with their 19 goals scored so far the third-fewest of any Serie A side.

Now six points adrift of safety, Pisa could really do with maximum points this weekend before heading to Florence for a crunch six-pointer against fellow relegation candidates Fiorentina.

Team news

Adrian Semper and Isak Vural are out of contention with knee problems, while veteran Raul Albiol remains out with a muscle injury he suffered in his first outing of the year.

Daniel Denoon wraps up the hosts’ injury list for Friday’s clash, where Marius Marin is, however, also unavailable through suspension.

Milan’s Santiago Gimenez has not featured since October due to an ankle injury.

Alexis Saelemaekers and Christian Pulisic were both absent from the visitors’ win over Bologna and will need to be assessed to determine their availability for the trip to Tuscany.

Pisa Predicted XI (3-4-3): Scuffet; Bozhinov, Caracciolo, Canestrelli; Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Angori; Durosimi, Moreo, Stojikovic

Milan Predicted XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Pavlovic, Gabbia, De Winter; Bartesaghi, Rabiot, Modric, Fofana, Athekame; Nkunku, Fullkrug

Prediction: Pisa 1-3 Milan

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/pisa-vs-ac-milan-match-174000933.html 

The Los Angeles Dodgers have completed the signing of reliever Evan Phillips, bringing him back after multiple reports of interest in retaining his services.

Phillips is signing a one-year deal worth $6.5 million, giving the Dodgers another quality relief arm following a season that was full of letdowns.

In a corresponding move, the Dodgers had to designate catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment, clearing up a roster spot for the pitcher.

Phillips has been battling for a while, dating back to last year when he underwent surgery for a torn rotator cuff and forearm inflammation in June of 2025.

Oct 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips (59) reacts after being relieved in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres during game five of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The injury led to Phillips standing on the sidelines for most of the past season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, a brutal procedure with one of the longest recoveries for a pitcher.

He pitched only 5.2 innings in seven appearances in 2025 at age 30, but before then, he threw 63 innings in 2022, 61.1 innings in 2023, and 54.2 innings in 2024, plus 15 innings of playoff baseball.

Why did the Dodgers bring back Evan Phillips?

The Dodgers found a gem in Phillips, who has become one of the more rock-solid closers in the sport since joining the organization.

Early in his baseball career, he struggled to put up a season with value in bWAR, with his best seasons coming as a Dodger in 2022 and 2023.

He has a 2.22 ERA with the Dodgers over the past five years, putting up 4.1 bWAR, a high total for a reliever.

Most notably, Phillips was money for the Dodgers in the 2024 postseason, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing no earned runs, helping them capture their first of two consecutive titles.

While the risk for another serious injury is high and he won’t be available until halfway through the season, the Dodgers are betting on their uncovered, undervalued player to deliver as they saw before anyone else in the league.

Los Angeles is an organization known for bringing back players who delivered for them in the past, barring a dramatic spike in cost or multiple concerning seasons, and Phillips will get 2026 to make sure his downturn is not a permanent one in terms of health.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dodgers-bring-back-evan-phillips-173957792.html 

The Los Angeles Dodgers designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment just five days after claiming him off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Dodgers re-signed relief pitcher Evan Phillips to a one-year, $6.5 million deal Wednesday, and placed Rortvedt on waivers to clear a spot on the roster. The Dodgers designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment to make room for the catcher on the roster Friday, and the reliever is still on waivers.

What Will the Dodgers Do Without Ben Rortvedt?

Rortvedt came to the Dodgers in 2025 at the trade deadline, and came up to the big leagues in September when catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing landed on the injured list.

He made 18 appearances and received heavy praise from manager Dave Roberts during the regular season, and found his way onto the postseason roster.

While Rortvedt made a big impact with the Dodgers, they should be fine the 28-year-old on the squad. Smith and Rushing are both healthy, and the L.A. has made a point to keep fewer than three catchers on their 40-man roster all offseason.

Sep 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Ben Rortvedt (47) hits a RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Will Evan Phillips Pitch in 2026?

Phillips, 31, played for L.A. from 2021-25, but spent most of his last season with the Dodgers on the injured list after undergoing Tommy John Surgery.

The veteran reliever underwent his surgery June 2025, meaning he won’t be available for the beginning of the season. He could return before the end of 2026, though, and gives the Dodgers another solid option coming out of the bullpen.

During his five-season tenure with the Dodgers so far, Phillips has made 201 appearances and has a 2.22 ERA. He has served as a high-leverage guy for the Dodgers during his time with the reigning World Series champions, which will be useful considering their shortcomings in the bullpen last season.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman commented on bringing Phillips back earlier in the offseason.

“We had a number of back and forth discussions with Evan and his agent,” Friedman said. “ It is challenging with him coming off surgery so he is going to take some time and look to sign after he throws off the mound when his rehab allows. Evan has been a big part of our past success and we will continue the conversation about bringing him back. We respect that he is taking this time to decide what is best for him and his family.” 

After signing another top-class reliever, the Dodgers are clearly gearing up for another postseason run as they chase their third consecutive World Series title.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dodgers-dfa-ben-rortvedt-shocking-173926872.html 

French woman convicted of stealing teammate’s credit card takes gold in individual biathlon originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan gives athletes a chance to achieve their ultimate goal of winning a medal for their home countries. There are numerous training and obstacles to overcome both before and during their quests for Olympic glory. 

For French biathlete Julia Simon, that includes overcoming theft and credit card charges just last year. On Wednesday, Simon won the gold medal in the women’s 15k biathlon, finishing with a time of 41:15.6, in front of her fellow teammate, Lou Jeanmonnot and Lora Hristova of Bulgaria. 

But just four months ago, Simon, who has won three gold medals over two Olympic games, was found guilty of theft and credit card fraud charges for using her teammate’s bank card. As wild as the story sounds, it is as real as it gets. 

MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer’s guide | Day-by-day schedule

Who is Julia Simon?

Julia Simon is a biathlete from Albertville, France, who is 29 years old. She has been competing for the French national team since 2018, and has won 16 medals in World Cup and Olympic events, an impressive 12 of them being gold. 

While her athletic achievements are impressive by itself, Simon gained notoriety for her involvement in using one of her teammate’s, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, and a staff member’s bank cards to make purchases of over 2,000 Euro (about $2373.23 in U.S. Dollars.) back in 2022. While it is unclear what was purchased, one user on Reddit stated a German newspaper reported the purchases were for Go Pros while the team was in a festival in Norway. 

Julia Simon conviction

In October 2025, Simon was convicted of the charges, and sentenced to a three-month suspended prison sentence. According toLe Monde, Simon admitted to making the charges and apologized to the victims: 

“I can’t explain it. I don’t remember doing it. I can’t make sense of it,” Simon said during the hearing, as quoted by the local newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré. Simon was also fined €15,000 ($17,450) after she admitted the thefts during the hearing and offered apologies to the victims, local media reported.

The French ski federation said, in a statement, that it took note of the court’s ruling and that its disciplinary commission would meet as soon as possible “to determine any disciplinary action at the federation level.” Following the ruling, the French federation could find itself under pressure to leave Simon off the Olympic team. It said it will continue, “as it has since the case first came to light, to take all necessary measures to protect the interests of the athletes, the coaching staff, and the team environment.”

According to the Sweden Herald, Simon initially denied the allegations.

“There were no economic motives for my actions,” Simon said via Dauphiné Libéré. Today I’m just taking it one day at a time, because standing before you will have consequences for my career. It was ridiculous and stupid, because I didn’t need it.” 

Simon received a six-month ban from the sport, including five months suspended. As a result, Simon could not participate in the Nov. 2025 World Cup events. But thanks to the biathlon disciplinary unit BIU not imposing an additional penalty on Julia Simon, she was eligible for the Olympics in Milan.  

“Now, I’d like to be left alone, honestly, because I read some things last night that weren’t pleasant,” Simon told Eurosport via The Times after winning gold. “I proved I belong here today, and I had even proven myself before. I don’t have anything left to prove to anyone, and now I’d like to be left alone to do my biathlon.

“The past is behind us within the team. We’ve talked things through. Now, we’re here to win medals, to do biathlon. Today, we showed that again. So please, stop, whether it’s the media or the public. It would be really appreciated by everyone.”

Simon did participate alongside her teammate whose credit card she used, Braisaz-Bouchet. She finished 80th on Wednesday.  

MORE: Why Norwegian biathlon Olympian is having ‘worst week of his life’ after cheating scandal

What is the biathlon? 

The biathlon is one of the most challenging and arduous events in the Winter Games, as it combines rifle shooting with cross-country skiing. During each lap on the biathlon track, athletes undergo shooting tests, one standing and one in the prone position with five shots, although the number of attempts can change based on the specialty. 

The targets have variable diameters of anywhere from 45 mm for shooting in the prone position, 115 mm for standing, and a missed target results in a penalty. Penalties can include an extra loop around the track or a minute added to an athlete’s time. 

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/french-woman-convicted-stealing-teammates-173850583.html 

James Pearce Jr. totaled 10.5 sacks during his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If the domestic violence charges against Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. go to trial, his ex-girlfriend, Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson, will be “willing to testify” against him, according to ESPN, which cited documentation from a court notice Jackson’s attorneys filed in in Florida’s Miami-Dade County on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Pearce, last year’s No. 26 overall pick who finished third in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting this past Thursday, was arrested two days later and now faces five felony charges — two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon as well as aggravated stalking, fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren and aggravated battery involving a law enforcement officer — plus a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer without violence to his person.

On Sunday, a day after Pearce was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, he reportedly was released from jail once he posted $20,500 bond. He was given a stay-away order, a pretrial measure imposed so that he doesn’t interact with Jackson, 24, per ESPN’s Wednesday report.

Jackson, who overlapped with Pearce at Tennessee from 2022-24 and went No. 4 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, reportedly told police that she and Pearce dated for around three years before their recent breakup.

Jackson is currently in Miami playing in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league that runs during the W’s offseason and features many of its top players.

When talking to the police, she explained the details of the events leading up to Pearce’s arrest, per ESPN, which cited an affidavit in its report. Jackson reportedly said that Pearce followed her in his vehicle on Saturday morning and even tried to open her car door at a stop. Then, when she attempted to enter the Doral Police Department, Pearce repeatedly rammed her car with his, the affidavit read, per ESPN.

Jackson called the police, but, when they responded to the scene, Pearce reportedly resisted arrest. After being ordered to get on the ground, Pearce got back in his car and ultimately drove away in his SUV, hitting an officer in the knee in the process, according to the affidavit ESPN cited.

A chase commenced, with Pearce reportedly crashing at an intersection and then fleeing on foot. When officers reached Pearce, he tensed his arms, “not allowing officers to apprehend him,” ESPN reported.

Despite the struggle he allegedly put forth, Pearce was arrested.

Pearce, according to a statement from his legal team of Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford and Joshua Cohen, “maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story.”

The NFL has been in contact with the Falcons, and the matter will be reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy, ESPN reported.

Jackson, meanwhile, is being represented by Gary F. Celetti and Wendy A.L. Beswick, according to ESPN.

“The victim is pleading with the Court and the State to conclude this matter promptly without hindering the efficacy of the prosecution’s case,” the attorneys reportedly wrote.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/wnba-player-reportedly-willing-to-testify-against-falcons-james-pearce-jr-in-domestic-violence-case-173754064.html