Two boats collide at start of Ocean Race Europe, crew members unharmed
Organizers said all crew members were unharmed after contact between Holcim PRB (Switzerland) and Allagrande MAPEI Racing (Italy). Footage showed Mapei's sail badly torn following the incident in the race's first leg in Kiel, Germany. Both teams were assessing their repairs, organizers said.
Conditions were expected to be intense for the first 24 hours of the race with strong winds and fast speeds until boats reached the north of Denmark.
The race then has legs in Portsmouth (England), Matosinhos (Portugal), Cartagena (Spain), Nice (France) and Genoa (Italy) before its scheduled ending at Boka Bay in Montenegro in mid-September.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Newcastle sign Malick Thiaw from AC Milan
have snapped up defender . The German international makes the move to Eddie Howe's side in a deal said to be worth about £34.6 million, including add-ons. Thiaw has agreed a long-term contract at St James' Park and will turn out in the number 12 shirt. Born in Düsseldorf, the centre-half joined Milan from Schalke back in 2022 and went on to feature 85 times for the Italian giants. He's the Magpies' third signing of what's been a tough summer for transfers, after bringing in winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton.
New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Malick Thiaw, a player Newcastle really wanted and who really wanted them
Malick Thiaw really wanted to sign for Newcastle United. That may read like the most rudimentary of statements but, following a summer of rejections and as their most-prized asset in Alexander Isak continues to pine for Liverpool, it has had an uplifting effect on those inside the club. Had the Germany international not made his intentions to swap Serie A for the Premier League so clear to Milan, then, according to sources close to the deal — speaking anonymously so they could talk freely, like others throughout — this transfer may never have happened. Certainly not as swiftly as it was concluded in the end, anyway. Advertisement As uncomfortable and disruptive as this transfer window has been, Thiaw's arrival for an up-front fee of €35million (£30.3m; $40.8m) alongside €5m in add-ons concludes Newcastle's three-year search for an eventual successor to Fabian Schar. With the addition of Anthony Elanga ending an interminable hunt for a right-winger, Newcastle have at least reinforced their two long-term problem positions. Should at least one striker (and potentially two, if Isak leaves) join soon, be it Yoane Wissa or someone else, and a midfielder to replace Sean Longstaff also be acquired, then Newcastle may actually end up bolstering the wider squad at Eddie Howe's disposal. The past two months have not panned out as hoped, but in a roundabout (and largely uneasy) way, Newcastle may still navigate their way out of this summer with greater depth in just about every department — barring centre-forward. At centre-back, that is undoubtedly true. Having spent last season relying on the ever-dependable Dan Burn and Schar, with Sven Botman struggling to stay fit and Jamaal Lascelles missing for the whole campaign, Howe now boasts a complement of five senior central defenders. All of whom have Champions League experience. In Thiaw, Newcastle believe they have signed a 'rough gem'; someone who has all the raw ingredients to be an excellent Premier League centre-half but who, aged 24, can still develop significantly under the tutelage of Howe and his coaching staff, and can play across the centre-back positions. The three-cap Germany international is tall (6ft 4in, 193cm), quick once he gets up to speed, technically proficient, able to play a high line, breaks lines in possession and can switch play with diagonals, which is a key attribute Howe desires in a centre-half. While there is an acceptance that Thiaw can suffer from lapses in concentration and can still improve every aspect of his game, those drawbacks are actually generating excitement among backroom staff because they believe they will hone the defender's talents. Advertisement Howe is enthused by the addition. Having spent the past season debating whether to prioritise a technical centre-half or a pacy one, Newcastle feel they have acquired someone who can offer both. Thiaw is not as aesthetically pleasing on the ball as Schar or as rapid as Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven, for example, but he offers a blend. Newcastle watched Thiaw closely for two years and he has been towards the top of their centre-back wanted list for the past three windows. Mercifully, there was no repeat of last August's futile (and public) month-long pursuit of Marc Guehi. Newcastle never actually made an approach to Crystal Palace for the England defender this summer, having learned early on that his preference was to move elsewhere. There was an ambitious pitch made to Dean Huijsen, which is said to have impressed the Spain international's camp, but the defender unsurprisingly opted to trade Bournemouth for Real Madrid. Huijsen's former Bournemouth team-mate, Illia Zabarnyi, was admired by multiple figures inside Newcastle, but they always expected the 22-year-old to join Paris Saint-Germain and were proven right: Zabarnyi joined PSG on Tuesday in a deal worth €63million up front. Newcastle extensively scouted Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini and discussed Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi — despite reports, Chelsea's Axel Disasi and Juventus' Nicolo Savona were not under consideration — and they did hold talks with another mystery target in early June (who has yet to leave his present club) before learning they were unattainable. When Thiaw's proposed €25m move to Como collapsed in early June after the player indicated he did not want that move, Newcastle pivoted towards prioritising the German. By that stage, Max Allegri, Milan's manager, was keen to retain Thiaw. That, alongside Newcastle's desire to spread the fee over multiple years (whereas Como were going to pay in one lump sum), led to Milan increasing their asking price. Advertisement Andy Howe — Newcastle's assistant head of recruitment, who is overseeing incoming business — led the negotiations with Giorgio Furlani, Milan's CEO. The pair were involved in the £55m transfer of Sandro Tonali in 2023. Even following Tonali's subsequent ban for gambling offences, certain figures at Newcastle and Milan have maintained a cordial relationship. Once Thiaw showed he was 'headstrong' on Newcastle, as one source termed it, talks with Milan progressed smoothly and swiftly — the defender was into the final two years of his contract and had rejected overtures regarding an extension — and they were largely concluded inside 72 hours. Newcastle made an initial offer closer to €30m, but ended up raising it by a guaranteed €5m and a further €5m in add-ons. Having appeared for the final seven minutes of Milan's 1-1 draw against Leeds United in Dublin on Saturday, Thiaw flew back to Italy, knowing he was to board a plane to Tyneside on Sunday, ahead of his medical on Monday. As with the majority of new arrivals, Thiaw may take time to adapt to Eddie Howe's demands and methods, especially given Newcastle are stylistically so different to Milan. While he has primarily been signed as a right-sided centre-half who can compete with (and eventually succeed) Schar, Thiaw is comfortable playing to the left, while in 2022-23 he operated as the middle defender in a back three. Like Botman and Schar, Thiaw can receive possession from either side and does not panic under pressure. Lascelles has been a tremendous servant and is dependable defensively, but when Schar is absent, Newcastle have lacked a naturally right-footed centre-back who can thread the ball between the lines. Thiaw is able to play passes which break the first line of defence, either by spreading the ball out into wide areas or finding midfielders centrally. Under Howe, Schar's delicious diagonals have become a hallmark and although Thiaw is not quite as astute as the former Switzerland defender, the Germany international can still contribute significantly to Newcastle's attacking armoury through his cross-field passing. Thiaw can improve upon the weight of his passes behind opposition defences, which is another trait of Schar's, but he is capable of sending his team-mates into space. Defensively, Newcastle's scouts noted how keen he is to engage and thwart attacks. His aerial dominance is a trait Howe values, given he is taller than Schar and Guehi — with a lack of height being one of the main internal recruitment team debating points when it came to the England international. Advertisement He has the potential to be an aggressive and athletic centre-back, which theoretically makes him ideal for the Premier League. Crucially, Thiaw can press high — something which Howe still asks his side to do intensely in certain fixtures — or follow a centre-forward who is dropping deep. Below is an example of Thiaw's ability to defend in an advanced area against Fiorentina in April. There are clear areas for improvement, however, which Howe and Newcastle recognise and will work on. Thiaw's one-versus-one defending, the timing of when he jumps towards opponents and his off-the-ball decision-making around the penalty area require refinement. Mentality-wise, Newcastle have been encouraged by Thiaw's desire to develop — and they have definitely been boosted by his desperation to join. A striker (or perhaps two) may be required — and quickly — but finally sourcing a right-sided centre-back following a three-year search represents a material milestone in Newcastle's challenging window. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Associated Press
5 hours ago
- Associated Press
New America's Cup protocol sees female sailors, battery power in 'seismic change' for the Auld Mug
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New rules for the America's Cup sailing regatta announced Tuesday have been described as a seismic moment for the historic event and the 'boldest change in 174 years of the Cup.' Crews competing in the 38th Cup regatta in Naples, Italy in July of 2027 will comprise five members, including at least one woman. Under new criteria, at least two members of each crew, including a female, must be nationals of each team's country of origin. Each 76-foot America's Cup boat will also carry a sixth 'guest' crew member who could be a celebrity, influencer, media representative or sponsor. The America's Cup will now be contested every two years and the protocol or governing document for the event now establishes a system of governance under which all competing teams will have equal responsibility for organizing the event on and off the water and for the control of media and commercial rights. Most functions of the boats will now be powered by batteries, rather than the brute strength of their crews. The moves to modernize the Cup have mostly been well received by competitors and key shareholders. 'As the founding Trustee of the America's Cup, we are completely supportive of the move to modernize the oldest sporting trophy in the world,' said Jay Cross, commodore of the New York Yacht Club. The NYYC was the first to win the America's Cup when its schooner America — from which the trophy takes its name — beat 15 yachts representing Britain's Royal Yacht Squadron in a race around the Isle of Wight in 1851. The United States held the trophy until 1983, when the challenger Australia II ended the streak. Team New Zealand has dominated the recent regattas. 'As the three-time successive winner and defender of the America's Cup and along with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron as current Trustee, we feel the responsibility to continue to drive the growth of the America's Cup event,' Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton said. 'Although the America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and the pinnacle of sailing, its Achilles heel has always been its lack of continuity,' he said. 'So this transformation now gives all teams collective stewardship and we are introducing a new executive management team to be headed up by a new independent CEO.' In a move to contain costs, a cap of 75 million Euros ($87 million) has been imposed on each team competing in 2027. Teams returning from the last America's Cup will be required to retain the same hulls while new teams will have to either acquire an AC75 hull or build to the same specifications. 'This is a seismic moment for the America's Cup,' Athena Racing team principal Ben Ainslie said. Athena Racing is the Challenger of Record which develops the protocol in partnership with the defender. 'The partnership agreement fundamentally reshapes the governance and organization of the event,' Ainslie said. 'The teams and yacht clubs share a vision to make the America's Cup more inclusive, compelling and financially sustainable. 'This new model marks a unified commitment to that vision. I am excited for the future of the sport.' Tuesday's announcement follows a fractious development process for the protocol during which Athena Racing and the American and Swiss challengers criticized Team New Zealand's management of the event. ___ AP sports:
