Sports Digest

A round-up of other sports news in brief

Ferrari will not stand in Schumacher's way

MOTOR SPORT: Ferrari will not stand in Michael Schumacher’s way if the seven-times Formula One world champion decides to come out of retirement and race for Mercedes, president Luca di Montezemolo said yesterday.

The 40-year-old has worked as a consultant for the Italian team since retiring at the end of 2006 but reports say he is close to signing with fellow Germans Mercedes, who have taken over world champions Brawn.

Meanwhile, Lotus boss Tony Fernandes believes envious eyes are being cast in the direction of his team following the announcement of their driver line-up for 2010.

The Malaysia-backed marque will have Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli in the cockpit of their cars as Lotus returns to F1 for the first time since 1994. “To attract two race winning drivers to the team is a huge achievement and honour,” reflected Fernandes.

Court suspends one-year bans

TENNIS: A Belgian court yesterday suspended a one-year ban imposed on Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse for violating anti-doping regulations, Wickmayer’s agent said. The Court of First Instance in Brussels suspended the ban, citing administrative errors with the way it was imposed. Wickmayer (20) and Malisse had been banned for failing to notify anti-doping authorities of where they could be reached.

Ding targets World title now

SNOOKER: Ding Junhui has warned his rivals he has regained the belief he can win the World Championships after ending his three-year drought without a ranking tournament victory.

On Sunday he lifted the Pukka Pies UK Championship title for the second time by beating John Higgins 10-8 in a marathon final in Telford.

The victory lifted Ding up to sixth spot in the provisional rankings for the 2010-2011 campaign. “This win has given me a lot of confidence for the World Championships. I know now how to win again and that is very important,” said Ding.

Higgins is convinced Ding will lift a world crown. “I have no doubt he will lift the world title. He definitely has the game and wins like this will help him as well,” he said..

More honours for Sea The Stars 

RACING: Sea The Stars and his connections scooped the main honours at the annual Irish Horse Racing Awards in the Leopardstown Pavilion yesterday.

Horse Racing Ireland hosted the event which saw Sea The Stars land 100 per cent of the votes to pick up yet another 2009 Horse of the Year prize. The colt was unbeaten in six Group Ones. His trainer, John Oxx, won the Flat award for his immense achievements not only with Christopher Tsui’s colt but also with Alandi, winner of the Irish Field St Leger and the Prix du Cadran.

And jockey Mick Kinane was presented with the HRI’s Contribution to the Industry award.

Champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins won the National Hunt award for the first time while the Outstanding Achievement award was presented to Kevin Prendergast, a leading figure in the industry for 40 years.

Derek O’Connor claimed the point-to-point award for a third time.