The week that was and the week to come

Well, I told you I would cry at NBC’s presentation of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii and I did. The Ironman is the toughest event in all of sports, not only do you have to swim 2.4 miles in the ocean, then bike 112 miles, and finish with a marathon, but you have to do this with the heat of Kona and the trade winds that blow across the island. The other thing that makes the Ironman great is that anything can happen to ruin a good day. The defending champion Chris McCormack was in the lead on the bike but the brake cord broke and his day was done. As the announcer, Al Trautwig said, “ You can train for anything, than something like that ruins your day.” The last great thing about the Ironman is that people from every walk of life come to the Kona Coast to cross that line and become an Ironman. One day I hope to go to Hawaii and cover this great event. When the sun goes down the finish line becomes a magical place, because you have to finish the race before midnight when the course is closed and the race is official over.
I don’t know who writes what Al Trautwig says on the coverage of this event, but it is the most well written edited sports event of the year, and Al delivers his lines that definitely befit the drama of the event. No wonder it wins the sports Emmy for edited sports special each year. Great job and for you that did not catch it this weekend, I think NBC replays it in the springtime, I will let you know when it’s on again.


I have not forgot about the Boston Celtics, this past week they set the record for the best start in franchise history at 21 wins and only 2 losses. To think a franchise with the history of the Boston Celtics: 17 World Championships and 31 Hall of Famers, some of the greatest players and teams in the history of the NBA, is off to the best start ever. It’s not how you start but how you finish! Hopeful they can keep this hot start going and win title number 18.

What to watch

This is another slow week, but there are a few good events to follow this weekend. Number 2 in the polls UCONN has its first real test in Number 7 Gonzaga in Seattle. This is also only their second road game of the season. Should be a good indication as they begin Big East play at the end of the month. The game is 4 P.M. on CBS.

This week is the inaugural season of the Winter Dew Tour, with a shop in Breckenridge, Colorado. Events will be snowboarding and free-skiing in splopestyle and superpipe, should be fun. The tour is on NBC, Saturday 2:30 to 4 P.M. and Sunday 4 to 6 P.M.

This is week 16 in the NFL. The Patriots are at home versus the Arizona Cardinals. The Pats need to win to keep their playoff hope alive. Arizona has already clinched the NFC West title. Game is at 1 P.M. on FOX.

I have decided to do a blog on the events and games I’m looking forward to in 2009, and not a awards column. This will be my last week of the year post. Look for it than.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Jamie Lazaroff

This week in sports

The great month of May continues this weekend with the Second Jewel in Horse Racing’s Triple Crown, “The Preakness Stakes”, Saturday May 17th, at Baltimore’s “Old Hill Top” Pimlico Race Course. The question is, can Big Brown win this 1 mile and 3/16th race and set up a Triple Crown run in three weeks at the Belmont in New York? We have not had a Triple Crown winner since 1978, so it’s about time. The Race is set for 6 P.M. Listen for “Maryland, My Maryland” at around 5:30pm. No red carpets show this time on NBC.

Also on Saturday, is the NASCAR “Sprint All-Star Race” at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. Start is 7 pm on the Speed Channel. This is the best All-Star event in all of sports. The race is for no championship points, so there is no pressure to do well and first place pays One Million Dollars to the winner. Also, Charlotte is a home track for most teams, so they want to do well for their families and sponsors that are there. Anything can happen and usually does in this “All-Star Race”. It will be great.

Last week was the Players Championship in golf. What a great final round it was Sunday. Underdog Paul Goydos held the lead for most of the day until the last few holes. Sergio Garcia flirted with the lead all day and caught Paul in the end. Sergio won on the first and only playoff hole when he pared the famous par 3-17th Island Green. Paul put his tee shot in the water and bogeyed the hole. This was the best story the PGA tour could ask for. Paul Goydos, the underdog story challenging for the title. Sergio a kid that has shown promise for so many years winning the big event. The question coming out of the weekend is can Sergio win a major? I think he can, the “British Open” is his best chance. He has been runner-up the last two year at the Open Championship.

What’s wrong with the Celtics? Best record on the road in the regular season, but can’t buy a road win in the playoffs. I don’t get it?

That’s my take; I would like to hear yours.

Talk to you next time.

Jamie Lazaroff