In brief

Sharapova donates $10,000 for victims

By wire services
Published December 31, 2004

BANGKOK, Thailand - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova donated $10,000 to victims of the tsunami disaster in Thailand while in Bangkok for an exhibition match against former No. 1 Venus Williams. She presented the check Thursday to Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Sharapova was on a beach in California when she heard about the destruction in South Asia nations that has killed more than 117,000.

"It's very devastating what has happened," Sharapova said. "But I feel I should have come here. I was committed to coming here and if I didn't I would have felt defeated and, you know, life goes on. I love giving back and I think it's very important to help those that are in need."

Both players had been scheduled to join Thaksin for a New Year's Eve countdown party. The event was canceled after the government said the country should abstain from celebrations as it mourned victims of the tragedy.

Sharapova recently participated in a charity event in Tampa that raised money for hurricane relief.

The Stanley Cup will make the rounds at all-star weekends this winter, and more trips might be planned if the NHL season is canceled. The first stop is Laredo, Texas, for the Central Hockey League's annual showcase Jan. 10-12. Then it's on to Vancouver for the annual top prospects game for major junior players on Jan. 19; in Glen Falls, N.Y., for the United Hockey League's all-star festivities Jan. 24, and at Reading, Pa., for the ECHL all-star weekend Jan. 25-26.

WORLD JR. CHAMPIONSHIP: Jeff Carter scored three goals in the second period to lead Canada (4-0) to an 8-1 victory over Finland (2-2) at Grand Forks, N.D. Canada earns the top seed in Group B and a bye to the tournament semifinals that begin Sunday. In Thief River Falls, Minn., Russia finished pool play with a 6-1 win over Switzerland (1-3) to finish 3-1 in Group A.

SOCCER: Real Madrid, Europe's most successful team, hired Brazil's Wanderlei Luxemburgo as its fifth coach in 18 months in a bid to improve in the second half of the season.

BRITISH HONORS: Matthew Pinsent, who won his fourth rowing gold medal in as many Olympics, was knighted in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year Honors List, while gold medal distance runner Kelly Holmes and Paralympic track athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson received damehoods.

SKIING: Finland's Hannu Manninen overcame a 2-minute deficit to win his 23rd combined Nordic World Cup event, a 15-kilometer race at Oberhof, Germany.

[Last modified December 31, 2004, 00:20:19]