Latest news with #highperformance
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Essendon willing to hire from beyond AFL circles to rectify injury troubles next season
Essendon is open to exploring outside AFL circles to fill its vacant high performance manager role in 2026. The Bombers parted ways with high performance manager Sean Murphy last week after their injury toll gathered stunning momentum. They took on GWS last week with 15 players unavailable, including 11 without a return date, and an extra rested. Essendon coach Brad Scott said Murphy was receptive to his departure after a difficult year. He also confirmed the Bombers would look beyond AFL fitness gurus and would appoint as soon as possible. 'Once the club had made the decision that we'd be making change at the end of the year, in my view, the moral and ethical thing to do to is inform those people,' Scott said. 'Sean is a really high-quality person, his first instinct and reaction – outside of obvious disappointment – was he didn't want to leave the players short-changed. 'He wants to do what's best for the club, which speaks volumes to his character and integrity, but we also can't run an exhaustive process without informing our current staff. 'We thought that was the best process and the best way morally to handle that. Ideally. when does that person get appointed? Well, it's very difficult. 'It won't just be the AFL circles, it will be looking at all sorts of sports for the best available people in those roles. 'But almost by definition those people are currently in roles. We will run our process and let it take its course, but we'd like to think sooner rather than later is always better.' Typically, club staff are informed of their future informally ahead of August 1. Uncontracted assistant coaches can then place themselves on a list set up by the AFL Coaches' Association for other clubs to hire from. Scott said it would be distasteful to project whether the club would make any further changes to its staff but reiterated the intention to reinforce the medical department. 'It would be unfair to speculate, our staff are working extremely hard,' he said. 'What I can say to our fans and members is that we're looking to build the most robust, high performance area we can and will leave no stone unturned. 'I've been public in that we will reallocate resources to that space; we're restrained by a soft cap but we can reallocate resources into that area. 'We know more than most this year how important it is.'
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chinese EV prototype smashes records while beating out vehicles from Mercedes and Porsche: 'Mind-blowing'
A Chinese EV prototype has redefined high-performance electric vehicles at one of the most difficult and dangerous tracks in the world. The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype smashed its previous lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, clocking in at 6:22.091, beating its own record by over 24 seconds. This makes it the fastest prototype and EV and the third-fastest vehicle to complete a lap on the 12.9-mile track, often used as a benchmark for automotive engineering. It outran several supercars, like the Mercedes-AMG One and Porsche 911 GT2, which have price tags triple its estimated cost, all running on just battery power. "Mercedes spent billions and many years to develop the AMG One only to get humbled by a phone company," one Reddit commenter said. With the SU7, Xiaomi aims to address consumer skepticism regarding EV performance and accessibility. The production version of the car clocked in at 7:04.957 on the same track, beating the Porsche Taycan by three seconds, signaling record-setting performance without sacrificing usability or comfort. Development of the SU7 began just a few years ago, and already, Xiaomi, known for producing consumer electronics, is setting industry benchmarks. The prototype's 1,526-horsepower engine pushes it from zero to 60 in under two seconds, leveraging advanced software and battery technology to optimize power delivery and efficiency. Such a breakthrough pressures legacy carmakers to accelerate EV strategies and provide consumers with more options. EVs offer countless benefits, not just in lap times, but also for your wallet and the environment. Contrary to arguments against EVs due to harmful mining practices for minerals like lithium, the extraction of dirty energy needed for ICE vehicles is much worse for the environment. One MIT study found that cars with internal combustion engines create an average of 350 grams of carbon air pollution per mile driven over their lifetimes, while EVs that operate on an average U.S. power grid produce only 200 grams. Low-carbon energy reduces mineral requirements. Currently, the Xiaomi SU7 is only available in China, but global markets could see future models as soon as 2026. In the meantime, Xiaomi is releasing a Nürburgring Limited Edition SU7, priced around $114,000, with only 10 units released in 2025 and 100 total. For everyday drivers interested in going electric, there are even more opportunities to save. Charging an EV with home solar panels can significantly reduce fueling costs compared to public stations or grid electricity. EnergySage makes it easy to compare local solar installers and save up to $10,000 on installation, a smart pairing for any new EV purchase. Car enthusiasts were impressed. "Ok Xiaomi, you've made your point," one commenter wrote. "No need to keep embarrassing the Western automakers who have been doing this for 100 years." "For a company that only started 3.5 years ago, they are mind-blowing in their innovation speed," they added. They then referenced comments from Ford CEO Jim Farley, who reportedly said of an SU7 he's been test-driving for market competition reasons that he "doesn't want to give it up," and said he was right to be impressed. "No wonder he freaked out after driving an SU7 for three months." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Auto Car
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
BYD is bringing a Ferrari rival to Europe!
BYD has finally confirmed plans to launch its high-end Yangwang brand in Europe, more than two years after introducing it in China. Yangwang is the Chinese company's high-end marque, sitting above the core BYD line-up and the new Denza premium brand with a range of tech-heavy, high-performance flagship models that are pitched as rivals to the likes of Bentley, Porsche and Ferrari. The brand was launched in 2023 with the Yangwang U8 - a huge range-extender luxury SUV that packs more than 1000bhp, outpaces the BMW M3, can turn 360deg on the spot and floats on water. That was followed shortly after by the U9 (pictured below), an electric supercar that cracks 240mph and can use its fully hydraulic suspension to jump on the spot or drive on three wheels. Both cars have been on sale in China for around two years, priced at the equivalent of £120,000 and £200,000 respectively, but despite showing both models at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year, BYD did not officially confirm plans for a European roll-out. But now, BYD vice president Stella Li has told Autocar that "our plan is that we will bring Yangwang into Europe", following the launch of the Audi-rivalling Denza marque early next year. She stopped short of giving full details, but said the U8 and U9 are earmarked for European sale, as well as "more cars coming" including the U7 super-saloon - a quad-motor Lotus Emeya rival with 1250bhp and 1237lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds. The move will make BYD the first Chinese manufacturer to enter Europe's top-rung luxury market, though it remains unclear whether the company plans to significantly undercut the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and Ferrari 296 on price. The costs of converting the Yangwang cars to right-hand drive, and exporting them to Europe where BYD's EVs face a 17% tariff, will mean they are likely to command a significant premium here compared to China.
The Australian
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
AFL: Essendon high performance boss Sean Murphy sacked
The Essendon injury crisis has resulted in the club parting ways with the head of high performance five weeks before the end of a disastrous season. Sean Murphy was out of contract at the end of the season and days after Bombers coach Brad Scott said the club would 'reallocate resources' to player health, the man responsible for fitness has been moved on. It comes just hours after Essendon fielded a 13th debutant for 2025 in a 48-point loss to GWS on Thursday night. They were without 16 players for the clash after Nate Caddy, Ben Hobbs, Will Setterfield and Nic Martin joined a long list of sidelined players this week. But after 'discussions between Murphy and the club', it was agreed the fitness boss would not continue beyond this year. 'We want to thank Sean for his commitment to this role over the past six seasons at the Essendon Football Club,' Essendon football boss Daniel McPherson said. Will Setterfield and Nic Martin are on the lengthy Essendon injury list. Picture:'These jobs are all-encompassing and on behalf of the Essendon Football Club, I want to thank Sean for the professionalism and integrity that he has carried himself with, particularly throughout what has been a really challenging season in 2025. 'Our high performance and medical team is critical to the success of our football program, and we're committed to undertaking all necessary work required to help us improve in this area. This decision enables us to take a fresh approach and reshape the team as we prepare for a crucial off-season ahead of the 2026 AFL campaign.' Murphy joined the Bombers ahead of the 2020 season and has been in charge for the past six seasons. Before losing to GWS, Scott said change was needed. 'I do have the utmost confidence in the people who are looking at our program, (but) there's no doubt we will relocate resources to that space,' he said. 'We know better than anyone this year how important it is to get your players out fit and available.'
The Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Warriors shake up their squad for coming season
Those who have departed are Alfred Mothoa ( to North West), Renaldo Meyer ( Tuskers), Beyers Swanepoel ( Lions), Diego Rosier (North West), Siya Plaatjie (Lions), Jiveshan Pillay ( WP), Andile Mokgakane ( Tuskers), Liam Alder ( SWD) and Nealan van Heerden ( North West). Nationally contracted Proteas stars Tristan Stubbs and Senuran Muthusamy, who will bolster both batting and bowling depth, will be key players when available. In a strategic move to strengthen future competitiveness, high-performance (HP) contracts have been awarded to experienced Thomas Kaber, Jason Raubenheimer, Ethan Frosler, Kyle Glennistor, Wezo Giba and Jordan Morris. Morris, a 26-year-old batting all-rounder, brings fresh energy to the middle order, according to Peterson. Right-handed wicketkeeper-batter Litheko joins the squad from Northern Cape Heat, while former SA U19 seam all-rounder Boast brings his explosive left-hand batting and experience with the Titans and Pretoria Capitals. Another Pretoria Capitals standout, fast bowler Peters, whose impressive 140km deliveries, hails from Gauteng and impressed during the last SA20 season. Eastern Cape-born bowler Aphiwe Mnyanda, who made his Warriors debut in 2023 and has represented the SA A team, returns to make further impact. Young pacer Ntando Soni, with national U19 experience, and veteran seamer Kerwin Mungroo, boasting 59 first-class matches, add depth to the attack. Also joining the ranks are Wesley Bedja from Western Province and emerging talents Giba and Manack. 'We have full confidence in the blend of youth and experience ahead of what promises to be a thrilling season of South African domestic cricket,' says Peterson. The Warriors will want to up their levels from last season, where they narrowly escaped relegation. 'Fans can expect exciting cricket, strong competition, and a team ready to represent the region with pride and purpose,' Peterson said. Squad: Tristan Stubbs (CSA contract), Senuran Muthusamy (CSA contract), Matthew Breetzke, Jordan Hermann, Matthew de Villiers, JP King, Muhammad Manack, Sinethemba Qeshile, Jean du Plessis, Modiri Litheko, Patrick Kruger, Duanne Olivier, Gideon Peters, Ntando Soni, Kerwin Mungroo, Wesley Bedja, Matthew Boast, Aphiwe Mnyanda (rookie contract), CK King (rookie contract), Jordan Morris (HP contract), Ethan Frosler (HP contract), Thomas Kaber (HP contract), Jason Raubenheimer (HP contract), Kyle Glennistor (HP contract), Wezo Gqiba (HP contract). The Herald
