Cowes still making big impression
Sailing: Skandia Cowes Week, the world’s biggest annual yacht racing regatta, gets under way today with another huge entry of about 900 boats in 37 classes, with everything from classic day-racers to ocean-going keelboats fighting it out on the Solent. The early highlight this year looks to be the 18-strong IRM Class, which has attracted a quality fleet of grand-prix racing boats that will conduct its own mini-series over the first three days. Among the entries in the class are two Farr 52s, seven Euro Prix 45s (formerly Corel 45s), two Farr 40s and three Ker 11.3s.
Gallic challenge
Rugby union: London Wasps, the English champions, will meet their French counterparts, Stade Français, in the new Zurich Challenge at the Causeway Stadium (formerly Adams Park), Wycombe, on August 24. The fixture is set to become an annual pre-season encounter, alternating between the home of the English and French champions.
Bell takes toll
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Bowls: John Bell, the England manager, reshuffled his team to take on the Channel Islands on the second day of the EBA Centenary series at Plymouth yesterday, and was rewarded when they won all three pairs matches. The Channel Islands hit back but England triumphed 15-7 overall.
Nikau shock
Rugby league: Tawera Nikau, 36, the former Castleford, Warrington and New Zealand forward, has had part of his right leg amputated after a motorcycle accident. Nikau had four operations on a broken femur, but surgeons were forced to amputate below the knee after complications.
Edwards on a roll
Hockey: Paul Edwards takes a step closer to overhauling David Hacker’s record of 120 Wales caps when he plays consecutive internationals against Belgium in Cardiff this weekend. The Cannock defender, included in a squad with seven uncapped players, plays his 113th game today.
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Davies bronze
Swimming: David Davies, of Great Britain, was beaten into third place in the 400 metres freestyle at the European Junior Championships in Glasgow last night. Przemyslaw Stanczyk, of Poland, won in 3min 51.71sec, with Nicola Cassio, of Italy, in second place.