Briefs | Olympics: Federal Way's J.R. Celski says he'll be back

Olympics

Speedskater Celski says he'll be back for Games: Short-track speedskater J.R. Celski from Federal Way is confident he'll recover from a deep gash to his leg in time for February's Vancouver Olympics.

Celski, 19, crashed during the U.S. championships Sept. 12, his right skate blade slicing into his left leg near the knee. After surgery, he was on crutches for about six weeks.

Celski said Wednesday at a ceremony in New York celebrating the 100-day countdown to Vancouver that he'll resume skating in two weeks. He already had enough points to be nominated to the Olympic team when he crashed.

Golf

Watney shoots 64 to take lead in China: Nick Watney tied the course record at Sheshan International in Shanghai with an 8-under 64 to take the early lead in the HSBC Champions and give himself another chance at winning a World Golf Championship.

In his first trip to China, the 28-year-old American ran off four straight birdies in the middle of his round and was building a big lead until he settled into pars and made a lone bogey on his final hole with a three-putt from the fringe.

Ryan Moore of Puyallup and Martin Kaymer of Germany shot 66s, and Tiger Woods opened with a 67. Phil Mickelson shot a 69.

Kim to skip Dubai World Championship: Anthony Kim says he will not be going to the Dubai World Championship to compete for the $7.5 million bonus pool, even though the American has easily qualified.

Norman to miss Australian Open after surgery: Greg Norman's slower-than-expected recovery from shoulder surgery will force him to miss next month's Australian Open.

Horse racing

European horses expected to be formidable group: They have produced some of the more memorable performances in Breeders' Cup history, from champions like Miesque and High Chapparal to stunners such as Arcangues.

Without question, the European-based runners have always commanded respect at the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

And, thanks in part to the results of a year ago, the current group of overseas challengers may just be the most feared collection yet.

At no time in the history of the Breeders' Cup was it more of an international extravaganza than 2008 as foreign-based horses won five of the 14 races and notched six runner-up finishes.

That success was still in the forefront of many minds this year as a record 37 European horses were pre-entered for the event over the same Santa Anita Park course in Arcadia, Calif.

About the only horse that has challenged the champion mare Zenyatta in the battle for prerace hype in the Classic has been Coolmore Stud's Rip Van Winkle. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, who saddled Henrythenavigator to his runner-up finish a year ago, Rip Van Winkle had the misfortune of having to chase the brilliant Sea The Stars for much of the year over in England, but he comes into the Classic off back-to-back wins over a mile.

The 3-year-old son of Galileo boasts what O'Brien calls the most natural talent of any horse he has trained, but the bay colt has battled foot issues that have repeatedly threatened his career.

In his initial trip around the Santa Anita track Wednesday morning, Rip Van Winkle raised some eyebrows when he broke into a heavy lather despite the tepid temperatures.

Sailing

Swiss to get expedited appeal of America's Cup venue ruling: Two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland got one more chance to push for Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, as the venue for its showdown against BMW Oracle Racing. The series is set to begin Feb. 8.

The Supreme Court of the State of New York Appellate Division granted an expedited appeal of a lower-court judge's ruling last week that RAK is not eligible to host the series because of stipulations in the 19th-century Deed of Gift.

College basketball

Air Jordans cost school future deal with Adidas: Freshman guard Marcus Jordan, son of Michael Jordan, wore Air Jordans during Central Florida's exhibition game against Saint Leo, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Central Florida is in the final year of a five-year contract with Adidas. A spokeswoman said the company will terminate its relationship with the school.

Soccer

Liverpool's chances hit by draw at Lyon: Liverpool's chances of progressing in the Champions League took a big hit when the five-time European champions conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 at Lyon, which advanced to the next round.

With Arsenal moving to the verge of qualification with a 4-1 win over AZ Alkmaar, Liverpool is in severe danger of becoming the first English club to fall at the group stage since Manchester United in 2005.

Sevilla advanced to the knockout stage after its 1-1 draw at Stuttgart and Inter Milan scored twice in the last four minutes to revitalize its chances with a 2-1 win at Dynamo Kiev.

Tennis

Federer reaches quarterfinals at Swiss Indoors: Roger Federer reached the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoors in Basel by beating Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-3, 6-3.

Auto racing

Toyota pulls out of Formula One: Toyota, the world's largest automaker, said it is pulling out of Formula One racing because it needs to cut costs and focus on its core business.

Seattle Times news services