New role for Eddie Jordan as BBC F1 coverage goes HD

he BBC will broadcast Formula 1 in high definition for the first time this coming season.

The move comes after F1 commercial body FOM confirmed that all broadcasters will be supplied with a high-definition feed for the first time.

David Coulthard's move to the commentary box alongside Martin Brundle sees Eddie Jordan become main analyst.

Jake Humphrey will continue to present with Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie reporting from the pit lane.

BBC head of F1 Ben Gallop said: "It's fantastic that Eddie is rejoining the team, and this year in a more expanded role.

"He's such a core character with his outspoken views, unrivalled contacts in the sport and his ability to unearth the stories from the paddock.

"We're also delighted to be broadcasting in HD, something we know fans have been waiting for and it will really add something extra to our coverage for 2011."

Jordan added: "It's been a great two years so far and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the circuit; the 2011 season looks like it has plenty in store for us all.

"The new set-up will give me even more opportunity to get to the heart of the issues in F1 and tell the real stories to the viewers."

It was announced on Tuesday that Brundle was taking over from Jonathan Legard as main commentator, with Coulthard becoming co-commentator.

Coulthard will continue as a pundit alongside Jordan, but will head up to the commentary box in time for the start of the race , at which point Jordan will be the BBC's analyst in the paddock.

F1 is the latest sport to be broadcast in HD on the BBC, following Wimbledon, all live golf, the Grand National and the Six Nations.

Chris Hoy & Victoria Pendleton miss Beijing World Cup

Olympic champions Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton will miss the World Cup event in Beijing to focus on the final leg of the series in Manchester.

Despite Olympic qualification points being available at the 21-23 January event, none of the 2008 Beijing Games medallists will return to China.

GB Olympic Performance Academy riders mainly make up the 11-strong squad.

In addition, Commonwealth Games silver winner Becky James and world medallist Lizzie Armitstead will compete for GB.

Armitstead is set to ride in the women's omnium, with James, sprint medallist in Delhi, taking part in the women's sprint events.

Usain Bolt announces 200m Bislett Games run in June

Usain Bolt has announced that he will run in the 200m at the Bislett Games in Oslo on 9 June.

The Diamond League meeting is the world champion's first confirmed meeting of the 2011 season after he struggled with an Achilles tendon injury during 2010.

"As this is a World Championship year, every meet is important to me in my build-up to defending my titles, " said the 24-year-old.

Bolt is expected to defend his 100m and 200m world titles this summer.

The world and Olympic record holder over both sprint distances had a forgettable 2010 campaign, suffering a rare defeat to fierce rival Tyson Gay in Stockholm in August.

Bolt conceded he was not fit and was struggling with back pain in addition to his Achilles tendon problem.

However, the Jamaican said: "My preparations have gone really well, the injury problem I had during the summer is fully healed and my training has gone according to pla

Graeme McDowell falls short despite course record

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell missed out on a play-off after matching a course record as Jonathan Byrd won the first PGA Tour event of the year.

Byrd defeated fellow American Robert Garrigus at the second play-off hole to win the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii after finishing 24 under par.

But McDowell almost joined them in the play-off after a final-round 62 that included 11 birdies.

"I'm very happy with the day's work," the 2010 US Open champion said.

McDowell, who has changed club manufacturers since last season, was six shots behind the leaders at the start of the day, and had a chance to join them in the play-off only to miss a nine-foot birdie putt at the last.

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"Obviously when you go into a final round that far back and you know the scoring is going to be good, there's nothing you can do really but just put the head down and try to have a great day yourself," he added after finishing 23 under par for the tournament.

"When I birdied 13 through 16, I kind of started to think that maybe I had an outside shot.

"I really look back at the first three rounds as the problem for me. I didn't finish the golf course very well at all here during the week."

The 31-year-old, ranked fifth in the world, hit earlier rounds of 71, 68 and 68, but his superb last round at the Kapalua Resort included six birdies before the turn and five on the back nine.

"It's great to come out and answer all of the questions this week," he said.

"I realised it was going to be a difficult way to start the season, with new equipment in the bag coming off the back of last year."
Jonathan Byrd
Byrd won the Justin Timberlake Open in October last year

Byrd and Garrigus were among the leaders going into a final round that also included Steve Stricker. The pair both shot rounds of 67, with Garrigus clinching his play-off place courtesy of a birdie the 18th.

After a short break the duo played the last again but both could only par the hole.

Byrd sealed a par at the first hole when a long putt lipped out and Garrigus then missed from just over four feet to hand the title to his compatriot, who won the Justin Timberlake Open in October last year.

"I played solid all day, I felt good out there, but I was a little anxious, a little nervous," Byrd said. "It's a great feeling."

Elsewhere, England's Ian Poulter tied for sixth place with America's Matt Kuchar on 18 under par after hitting a final-round seven-under-par 66.

The season opening tournament is for those who won on the PGA Tour during the 2010 calendar.

Elena Baltacha match hit by second day of Hobart rain

British number one Elena Baltacha endured a frustrating day of rain as she was unable to resume her second-round match in Hobart on Wednesday.

The Scot, 27, trailed Italy's Roberta Vinci 6-3 when play was suspended on Tuesday and the pair did get on court as Wednesday's play was washed out.

Baltacha is preparing for the start of the Australian Open on Monday.

"It's the same for both players so it's something you have to accept and just deal with the best you can," she said.

"You have to have a balance of getting yourself ready mentally to maybe play a match but at the same time try to relax, read a book, listen to music.

"The main thing is that you don't want to waste all your energy before you finally go on for your match."

Baltacha, ranked 55 in the world, beat Tamarine Tanasugarn in the first round on Monday.

Dundee Utd 2 - 0 Motherwell

Dundee Utd 2 - 0 Motherwell



David Goodwillie scores for Dundee United against Motherwell
Goodwillie marked his return from suspension with a goal

Dundee United claimed victory in their first home league match since November as Stuart McCall suffered his first defeat as Motherwell manager.

Johnny Russell struck the post with a long-range shot during a promising opening spell by the hosts.

And it was Russell who broke the deadlock with a header on 53 minutes.

Motherwell came close when Jamie Murphy's header was blocked by keeper Dusan Pernis before David Goodwillie sealed United's win late on.

The win moves the Tangerines up to seventh in the Scottish Premier League, three points behind Motherwell who have played two games more.

United almost opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Johnny Russell's shot cracked off the post and the rebound evaded David Goodwillie, the subject of a failed transfer bid by Rangers last week.

Russell was involved again minutes later with a neat back-heel to set up Prince Buaben and the midfielder's shot was tipped wide by Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

Goodwillie, back from suspension, had an opportunity to score when he burst through the Motherwell defence and rounded Randolph but with the angle for the shot narrow, the keeper got back to block the striker's shot.

Motherwell were struggling to get a foothold in the game and John Sutton's shot over the bar on 19 minutes was the visitors' first real attempt at goal.

Buaben stung the palms of Randolph with another fierce drive and the goalkeeper claimed the ball at the second attempt.

Morgaro Gomis was next to test the Motherwell stopper with a powerful shot and Randolph dived to his right to beat the ball to safety.

Sutton rose to head the ball against the frame of the United goal from Ross Forbes's cross but the offside flag had already been raised against the Englishman.

Forbes tried his luck with a free-kick from distance but the effort sailed over as Motherwell continued to struggle to get a foothold in the game.

Referee Iain Brines ignored claims for a penalty after the ball appeared to hit the hand of Keith Lasley in the Motherwell box.

There were further penalty claims in the opening minutes of the second half when Paul Dixon went down in the box but the United full-back was booked for simulation.

But the hosts continued to press and took the lead when Dixon's corner was headed back across goal by Garry Kenneth for Russell to steal in and nod the ball into the net with the aid of the post.

There was more work for Randolph to do when Goodwillie fired in a shot and the striker was once again foiled by the goalkeeper 13 minutes from the end.

Motherwell pressed for a leveller and Jamie Murphy met Chris Humphrey's cross with a goal-bound header only for Pernis to make a terrific save, Garry Kenneth bravely blocking the rebound effort.

United made sure of their victory when Goodwillie converted substitute Stuart Armstrong's cross with a shot from eight yards