U.S. easily wins Atlanta's Duel in the Pool

By: JournalNow Staff | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: December 18, 2011

U.S. swimmers dominate

The United States cruised to a dominating victory at Duel in the Pool in Atlanta, and the European women's team of Denmark's Jeanette Ottesen, Britain's Francesca Halsall, Belarus' Aliaksandra Heresimenia and the Netherlands' Ranomi Kromowidjojo set a world record in the 400-meter freestyle relay, winning Saturday in 3 minutes, 27.53 seconds. That eclipsed the old mark of 3:28.22, set by the Netherlands in 2008.

The Americans won 22 of 30 races for 181.5 points. The Europeans finished with 80.5 points. The U.S. has never lost in five appearances at Duel in the Pool, beating Australia three times and Europe twice.

Skater Richardson wins again

Heather Richardson and Shani Davis won 1,500-meter races for their third victories in the U.S. speedskating long-track championships in West Allis, Wis. Both also won the 500- and 1,000-meter races.

Richardson, from High Point, finished in 1 minute, 58.13 seconds to beat Jilleane Rookard (2:00.87). Davis, who has two Olympics silver medals at 1,500 meters, won in 1:45.19, just shy of the track record of 1:44.67 by Chad Hedrick in 2009.

Klinsmann hires assistant

The Austrian soccer federation said that Andreas Herzog will become the assistant to coach Jurgen Klinsmann with the U.S. men's soccer team.

Herzog played 103 international matches for Austria (1998-2003) and scored 26 goals, the most among Austrian players. He left his post as coach of Austria's U-21 team Friday, the federation said Saturday.

Herzog and Klinsmann were teammates at Bayern Munich when it won the UEFA Cup in 1996. No details about Herzog's contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation were revealed.

Derby to allow replacements

Churchill Downs will allow replacements for scratched entries in The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks starting next year.

Churchill officials said as many as four "also-eligible" entrants will be designated ahead of each race. The replacement horses would be able to run if there are scratches before 9 a.m. on the day of the Oaks, which is the Friday before the first Saturday in May.

Associated Press reports