In brief

U.S. skeleton coach placed on leave

By wire services
Published January 1, 2006

Tim Nardiello, the U.S. skeleton coach, was placed on administrative leave Saturday amid allegations of sexual harassment.

His status for the Olympics rests with a three-person committee formed by the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation. A hearing is scheduled to start Monday with a recommendation to the federation's board members by week's end.

2002 Olympic gold medalist Tristan Gale and veteran Felicia Canfield allege Nardiello has made sexual advances and explicit comments toward female racers, said Dan Goodwin, the federation's legal counsel.

Nardiello, a two-time luge Olympian and married father of three, has denied the allegations and did not return calls.

HOCKEY: Canada beat the United States 3-2 to reach the semifinals of the world junior championships in Vancouver. The Americans needed to win to take Group A and earn a bye to the semifinals. So with the score 2-2 in the final minute, they pulled goalie Cory Schneider. But Kyle Chipchura scored with 33 seconds left. That left the Americans second and with a quarterfinal Monday against an opponent to be determined.

SPEED SKATING: Chad Hedrick set a world record in the 10,000 meters at the U.S. long track championships in Kearns, Utah. Hedrick, who might compete in five events at February's Olympics, finished in 12:55.11, 59.54 faster than second-place Charles Leveille and 2.81 faster than the Netherlands' Carl Verheijen in December.

First baseman and designated hitter Eduardo Perez turned down an offer to stay with the Devil Rays and agreed to terms with the Indians. Perez, who hit .255 with 11 home runs in 253 at-bats in 2005 for the Rays, will sign a one-year deal with a one-year option. The Rays' remaining free agent is infielder Alex Gonzalez.

- MARC TOPKIN, Times staff writer

TENNIS: Martina Hingis drew Venezuela's Maria Vento-Kabchi (ranked No.63 in the world) for Monday's first-round match of the Australian Women's Hardcourt Championships, Hingis' first event since retiring in 2002.

HORSES: Misty Rosette pulled away to win the Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Downs in 1:10.2, fastest in the 27-year history of the 6-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies.

SOCCER: English striker Michael Owen will miss 10 weeks after breaking his foot during a Premier League game but is expected back in time for the World Cup.

AUTOS: Alexander Wurz will be Williams Cosworth's third driver in the 2006 Formula One season. He recently lost his test driver's spot at McLaren Mercedes after five seasons.

[Last modified January 1, 2006, 00:29:14]