The Map Seeker » Sports

Atlanta Hawks Victory of the Phoenix Suns

David — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:34:03 +0000

The Atlanta Hawks were able to pull off a narrow victory over the Phoenix Suns tonight at the Hawks home court at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta. Hawks fans who were in the city specifically for the game had great reason to celebrate as they returned to their rooms at some of the best hotels Atlanta. It was a close game throughout most of it with the Suns achieving the highest lead in the second quarter. Ultimately the third quarter went to the Hawks with the fourth quarter’s final score coming down to the very last second. While this is typically the case in a basketball game, meaning the final score is decided in the last second, the winner of this game was determined with only three seconds left to play.

The Hawks rallied to come back against the Suns’ early lead and held on to keep the game within a ten point range, with either team taking the lead. Ultimately it came down to one missed free throw by the Suns’ Amare Stoudemire and one incredible three point shot by the Hawks’ Jamal Crawford. They were able to create that victory and come from a four-point deficit in the final ten seconds of the game. This sort of outcome is rare, though it is also a great reminder of that anything can happen with ten seconds on the clock. Steve Nash is the Phoenix point guard that nailed two free throws with ten seconds left to create the four-point lead and it looked at that point like it would be a Suns win. The crowd remained active and loud throughout the game and proved to be a supportive element of the victory celebration. Crawford had just a second to make his decision on whether he could take the three point shot to win the game or hope to create a two point game tying situation. Without hesitation, and from a couple of steps behind the three point line, he lobbed the ball and against the odds as well as the clock it sunk into the basket.

Atlanta Hawks Victory of the Phoenix Suns is a post from: The Map Seeker

Court Tennis or Real Tennis?

David — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:31:59 +0000

What those in the United States name court tennis is actually real tennis, much like soccer in the US is known as football in the United Kingdom. Real came from the term royal because that was what it referred to. It was a favorite sport among those in royalty who loved to get good tennis scores as much as the peasants who played too. Court tennis, or indoors tennis was actually the only kind of tennis there was for a while. Lawn tennis didn’t come to be for a while the history of the sport. It was also called jeu de paume, which roughly translated is “hand game.” However, it soon proved to popular, at least for those in the church. Monks had originally invented the sport, but because it proved too popularity for them that should have praying and chanting and doing other pious duties, it was banned for them to play the sport.

The initial and official (because there are records for it) court indoors was created by Charles V of France for the Lourve. The name eventually came be because players would often be told to hold or “tenez” because they would be receiving serve very shortly. Tennis is simply an English version of a French word, and though unproven this is most likely the best explanation we have for where the origins of the word lie.

Tennis, in addition to the change made to the name, the court, the environment, the racquet, the ball, and so on faced class changes too. Because it was such a royal game, the nobles did not want the peasantry in on the fun. It become a another way for the nobility to separate themselves for those in the lower classes.

Famous royals known for their love of tennis include great sportsman Henry V of England, who only stopped playing and hunting altogether because of an injury to his leg that prevented him from enjoying his favorite pastimes anymore.

And although not a royal, she certainly is as famous as one: Margot of Hanault came to the Paris courts in the 1500s to do battle with other players, being one the first ever well known tennis players in the sport. She would take on anyone, using it as a way to gamble and make a bit of money for herself. The tennis courts have seen a lot throughout the years, from royalty to monks, from men to women: it is the place of a rich and varied history that those in the upcoming Australian Open will be playing upon.

Court Tennis or Real Tennis? is a post from: The Map Seeker

Let’s Ski

David — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:20:49 +0000

Now were talking. Sitting along a massive Alps mountain side in the deep snow with a warm hot tot-tie waiting for the fog to lift so we can see the tips of the peaks at sunset. Saas Fee hotels are charming and rich with hospitality and a beautiful natural setting. This is the place to be in the winter snow of the Swiss Alps. Visitors take to the sports of ice climbing, snowshoe trekking and skiing. There are a couple glaciers near by, the Dom and the Allalinhorn, which provide winter sporting that goes longer than the winter. Some of the neighboring peaks like the Weissmies, the Lenzspitze and the Nadelhorn have become a great place to spend the summers too.

The Saas Fee ski resort offers 22 lifts to get to the top. There are three cable cars, five gondolas, two chairlifts, a few drag lifts and then there is the railway. Yes, this is a special feature of Saas Fee. Metro Alpin the coolest subway that is the farthest from any city in the world. It is also the highest in the world. The Swiss built this mountain metro in 1992. It has the length of over 5738 feet and from station to station it travels a little over 1561 feet. So there are many ways to get up to the winter playground.

For some of the old timer skiers it might be fun to try something really new and different. Snowboarding has been the crazy for the past 15 years. How many people can say that they are going to go tobogganing? Ok it’s just a fancy word for sledding. Which is always fun. They also have access to paragliding and hang gliding. The only way to get to this great resort is by car or bus. However, you can’t take your car inside the city. The only gas fueled vehicles are the dump trucks. Otherwise it is all electric, and the decision to have car free town was not so recent. They decided this in 1951 when they built the first road.

Let’s Ski is a post from: The Map Seeker

The Geography of Cape Town

Grass vs. Clay vs. Hard Court: Grand Slam Tennis

David — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:08:07 +0000

The Grand Slam tennis titles are: The Australian Open, The US Open, The French Open and Wimbledon. And they are all arguably very different, and any tennis player would agree with that point.

They are different because of the surfaces they are played on.

The US Open and the Australian Open are both played on a traditional hard court tennis surface. This is a surface that players find to be easier because they are more accustomed to playing on it. It is how they practice and how most tournaments are played. Most courts are hard in the world because they are easier to maintain.

The French Open is played on a red clay court. It has proved to be a specialty surface and has not seen much success from American tennis players. Europeans find this surface to be to their liking. The singles Men’s all time champion, Pete Sampras, has 14 total Grand Slam titles, but never a win on the clay court. Also, former world number one Roger Federer has never been successful on the clay court and a French Open title eludes him as of yet.

The Championships Wimbledon takes place on a grass court surface. This is considered lawn tennis and started in the 1800s. The grass court has proved to be a place where both Americans and Europeans can thrive. Pete Sampras hold the most Men’s Singles wins with seven and the Women’s singles most wins is Maria Navratilova with nine wins overall.

No matter the surface, Grand Slam tennis is a site to see and is sure to be competitive.

Grass vs. Clay vs. Hard Court: Grand Slam Tennis is a post from: The Map Seeker