Colt Observer, last seen winning the Victoria Derby, has made a successful return from a break with a victory at Caulfield.
In his first outing since the Victoria Derby success in November, Observer got a flawless ride from jockey Ethan Brown en route to victory in Saturday’s Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m).
Dispatched as the $4 equal elect, Observer saw off the late surge of Planet Red ($4.40) by 1-¾ lengths, as Victorius Spirit ($51) ended up three-quarters-of-a-length further adrift in third.
The Ciaron Maher-prepared Observer heads next to the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) over 1600m at Flemington on February 28.
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Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer at Ciaron Maher Racing, observed that Observer had advanced markedly from his spring efforts to the current autumn phase.
“We’ve taken the norton bit off and decided to go with the lugging bit today,” Turnbull said.
“To begin like he did and then for Ethan just to go with him and be in that position and travel so kind, it was good to see from our end.
“Then to respond and quicken, first-up off a Derby prep and so lightly raced, it was exciting.
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“He’ll be second-up in the Australian Guineas in three weeks which is his early grand final and if we were to be successful then we could go a few different options.”
Turnbull mentioned that post-Australian Guineas, the Maher team and Observer’s owners Godolphin would discuss plans for the three-year-old.
Ethan Brown, who steered Observer into a gallant third during last spring’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas before handing over to Mark Zahra for the Moonee Valley Vase and Victoria Derby wins, commended the Maher stable’s first-up preparation over 1400m.
“He can be a bit dour, but his last gallop was super,” Brown said.
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“Ciaron has switched him on at the right time and in the mounting yard he perked up, and he knew where he was.
“The beauty of it is that he was fresh enough to hold a spot over 1400 (metres) so going up in trip he’ll dour out, but now that he can hold a spot makes it easier for connections, horse and jockey. Explore the racing betting markets for Observer in the Australian Guineas.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy jogs onto the field at U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of kickoff, with the scene set on Sep. 14, 2025, as Minnesota prepared for its home matchup against Atlanta while pregame routines unfolded and anticipation built around the young quarterback’s role entering the contest. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
In perhaps days, possibly weeks, the Minnesota Vikings will reveal their main quarterback plan for 2026. Not long ago, we asked VikingsTerritory writers to predict the outcome of the offseason at quarterback; now, we’ve asked them to assume they are the general manager. You can read the predictions here.
Staff picks spotlight McCarthy up top, then rank the fallback QBs Minnesota should chase if the room shifts.
These are writers’ recommendations for the Vikings’ full QB room in 2026. The team could use free agency to add a veteran backup, make a trade, or hit the draft for another reset.
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QB Blueprint: Vikings Writers Make Their QB1 Picks for 2026
Our GM hats are on for the exercise.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy fires a deep pass during early scripted reps against Chicago at U.S. Bank Stadium, with the action unfolding on Nov. 16, 2025, as Minnesota assessed timing, pocket control, and decision-making within the opening series of the divisional matchup while testing protection and rhythm against a familiar NFC North opponent. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Steven Hoikkala’s Recommendation
QB1: J.J. McCarthy QB2: Jimmy Garoppolo QB3: Zach Wilson
Honestly, this isn’t anyone’s ideal QB situation, but it is the QB room reality for 2026. There are not many feasible options for the Vikings this year worth investing in long-term, and they are not drafting high enough to get a premier rookie QB.
The club must find out what it has in J.J. McCarthy and if what we saw in weeks 14-16 of the 2025 season is a sign of what he could become, and continue to develop.
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Why Garoppolo? He is a system QB who ran the same offense the Vikings do. When he was in San Francisco and with the Niners, we saw that he was capable of doing it well.
McCarthy needs a veteran in the QB room to assist with his development, and Garoppolo isn’t going to cost us a 2nd-round pick like Davis Mills or Mac Jones might demand. Zach Wilson is a young upgrade over Max Brosmer, with upside, and isn’t the first castaway from the New York Jets the Vikings have seen develop after a change in coaching and scenery.
Janik Eckardt’s Recommendation
The inconsistent QB play, combined with injuries in the QB room, prevented the Vikings from ever entering the playoff race. This offseason, a better backup plan is needed.
Still, McCarthy should continue to have the chance to claim the starting spot, as an improved McCarthy is Minnesota’s best shot at making any noise in January over the next few years. However, the backup can’t just be unsolidified like last year. Kirk Cousins is familiar with the staff, the system, and the receivers, and he could provide solid play in case of continued struggles or injury.
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Then, the Vikings should draft a quarterback. They will enter April with three Day 2 picks, and one of them should be used to acquire Trinidad Chambliss out of Ole Miss. Chambliss displayed composure under pressure in the playoffs. He is a sweet athlete with a strong arm who could develop behind the scenes and become an intriguing option in the future.
Sean Borman’s Recommendation
QB1: J.J. McCarthy QB2: Kirk Cousins QB3: Drew Allar
If I were GM, chances are J.J. McCarthy would have backed up Aaron Rodgers last year. I still think that is the move if you want to chase a Super Bowl with the current roster, but realistically, Rodgers won’t be available.
That’s where a reunion with Cousins makes sense for a number of reasons, especially if McCarthy begins the season as a starter with Cousins as his backup. Add Allar in the draft as insurance/future trade chip.
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Tony Schultz’s Recommendation
QB1: J.J. McCarthy QB2: Kirk Cousins QB3: Max Brosmer
For me, you have to stick to your guns. While I understand we might not have all the information on whether Kwesi Adofo-Mensah forced the drafting of J.J. McCarthy or if it’s who O’Connell wanted at this stage, they can’t waiver. This is what fans wanted, and now you have to live through it. You have to keep developing him.
Yes, they still need to bring in a veteran, and Cousins should be the guy with veteran presence to teach and push McCarthy, and a fallback if he stumbles. I feel he knows his role now at his age and his proper asking price. Malik Willis would be another good addition as young competition, but he might not necessarily be an upgrade.
The third spot can be Brosmer at this point, as it should be a developmental player as the final piece. If they can get another vet there, it’s fine with Brosmer headed to the practice squad. It’s time to push through and see it to the end, no matter where that might be.
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Henrique Gucciardi’s Recommendation
QB1: J.J. McCarthy QB2: Malik Willis QB3: Max Brosmer
KOC said he wanted a “competitive situation”, so someone better than Sam Howell will be coming in the offseason. If a big trade isn’t happening, Willis is the best option and will compete with McCarthy for the QB1 job. And I still like Brosmer as a developmental backup QB.
Ali Siddiqui’s Recommendation
QB1: J.J. McCarthy QB2: Malik Willis QB3: Max Brosmer
It’s hard to see the Vikings giving up on McCarthy already. He could very likely start again, but he will be given more competition. If McCarthy struggles next season or can’t stay healthy, the Vikings will likely not start him in 2027. Willis has shown he can play from the start.
Recommendation is J.J. McCarthy at QB1/2, Justin Fields at QB1/2, and Carson Wentz at QB3 (with Max Brosmer on the PS at QB4). Doing so is a nice blend of youth and experience. In the correct environment, Fields could cook. So can McCarthy if he needs to compete for the top spot and stays healthy. That’s the recommendation. Trade for Fields and sign Wentz. Go from there.
Josh Frey’s Recommendation
QB1: J.J. McCarthy QB2: Jimmy Garoppolo QB3: Drew Allar
If one thing is evident after 2025, the Vikings need to shore things up at the backup QB spot. Jimmy Garoppolo just spent a year with Sean McVay, Kevin O’Connell’s old stomping grounds, and he has had plenty of success as an NFL quarterback.
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Then, I would have the Vikings draft a QB3 with upside on Day 3 to develop into an eventual backup. Drew Allar struggled in 2025, but he is 6’4″ and 240 pounds, has great arm strength, and can read the field. He’s certainly not a starter at the NFL level right now, but it would be interesting to see what he can become after a couple of years of development.
Adam New’s Recommendation
QB1: J.J. McCarthy QB2: Mac Jones QB3: Carson Wentz
J.J. McCarthy gets the chance to keep his job with Mac Jones breathing down his neck. Prising Jones away from San Francisco won’t be easy, but a way needs to be found. Carson Wentz to round out the QB room.
Cole Smith’s Recommendation
QB1: Mac Jones QB2: J.J. McCarthy QB3: Max Brosmer
The Vikings are going to offer us a rather unspectacular transaction at quarterback. Mac Jones is the trade acquisition and subsequent QB1, followed by J.J. McCarthy at QB2, and Max Brosmer at QB3.
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Wes Johnson’s Recommendation
QB1: Kyler Murray QB2: Trinidad Chambliss QB3: Tyrod Taylor
The QB room gets completely revamped. If the rumblings from current Vikings in San Francisco for the Super Bowl are any indication, it sounds like J.J. McCarthy’s time in Minnesota might be done. A swap of QBs between ARI and MIN would make some sense. O’Connell has had an affinity for mobile QBs since the Anthony Richardson draft; he finally gets that here, adding a mobile rookie and vet to boot.
Dustin Baker’s Recommendation
QB1: Kyler Murray QB2: J.J. McCarthy QB3: Drew Allar
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray celebrates with fans after reaching the end zone at State Farm Stadium, with the moment occurring on Nov. 12, 2023, during the first half against Atlanta as Murray energized the crowd following a scoring play that showcased his mobility and playmaking ability. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports.
If the Vikings can grab Murray for a 3rd-Rounder or so, he’d feel free because Minnesota has a compensatory pick on the way for Sam Darnold’s free agent departure. Murray has similar quarterback efficiency to Justin Herbert, but people just don’t care, as he plays for a less-than-stellar organization, the Cardinals.
Let’s be clear: if I were personally the general manager, I would probably ride it out with McCarthy as QB1. He represents the best chance at the Vikings’ quarterback of the future, especially at age 23. But Kevin O’Connell has to win now, so the Murray recommendation is partnered with that reality. For a head coach — who might be the general manager this offseason — he probably can’t afford McCarthy to play poorly, with a pivot to a veteran like Cousins or Garoppolo. O’Connell needs to win a playoff game for full job security.
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And then, because I’m greedy, I’d spend a late-round pick on Allar, who was projected as a 1st- or 2nd-Rounder one year ago at this time.
Mack Hollins is known for always making a bizarre entrance on game day, and he definitely didn’t let us down on Sunday.
The Patriots receiver, who always goes barefoot when walking into a stadium, kept that tradition alive for Super Bowl LX, but he also added a slight twist to his entrance. For the big game, Hollins showed up wearing handcuffs and leg shackles.
Normally, I’d say that’s an homage to Hannibal Lecter, but this is Hollins we’re talking about, so it could just be something he had in his closet. That being said, there is a slight risk when it comes to wearing shackles to the stadium, because if you lose the keys to open them, then you’re kind of screwed.
The good news for Hollins is that he definitely didn’t lose the keys and we know that because he made it out on the field for warmups. The quirky Hollins didn’t wear his jersey during pregame warmups though, instead, he wore a throwback jersey.
That’s right, he wore Mike Vrabel’s high school jersey. The Patriots coach graduated from Walsh Jesuit in Ohio back in 1992, so that’s quite the throwback.
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Hollins, who’s in his first year with the Patriots, hasn’t put up big numbers this year, but he has made several key plays. As a matter of fact, he’s had at least one catch of 20 yards or more in seven different games, including the AFC Championship, when he caught a huge 31-yarder in New England’s 10-7 win over Denver. So don’t be surprised if he makes a big player or two against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
Our team over at SportsLine came up with a list of best bets for the Super Bowl and a prop from Hollins actually made the list. You can check that out here.
The Americans have defended their figure skating crown.
Team USA beat Japan to capture back-to-back gold medals in the figure skating team event at the Winter Olympics. Italy finished third to earn bronze, while Canada was unable to capture a medal after placing fifth.
Led by Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Alysa Liu, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, the U.S. earned 69 points, beating out Japan by a single point while Italy finished with 60 points and Canada had 54 points.
In the end, it all came down to the men’s free skate as Malinin pulled out his signature quad axel and landed a backflip on one leg. His program earned him 200.03 points, which provided the U.S. with the maximum 10 points, while Shun Sato of Japan had a 194.86 total score.
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Canadian rising star Stephen Gogolev finished fourth in the men’s program with a 171.93 total score.
Figure skating at the Olympics rolls on Monday with the start of the ice dance competition. The men’s singles event starts Feb. 10 with the short program and concludes on Feb. 13 with the free skate. The women’s singles opens Feb. 17 with the short program and wraps Feb. 19 with the free skate.
A farcical finish, but a fantastic win for Pep Guardiola. He had waited a decade to taste victory at a full Anfield. When he did, with a comeback for the ages, seemingly capped by a goal from the halfway line into an empty net, pernickety officiating injected an element of absurd with a decision that no one wanted or needed.
And yet the overall outcome was the same. As Liverpool led, it felt as though Arsenal were about to be anointed champions. “The whole team knew before the game if we lost it then the title race was probably over,” said Bernardo Silva. Instead, he helped revive it. Erling Haaland, policed well by Virgil van Dijk, enduring a frustrating afternoon, suddenly turned catalyst. A manager who had visited Anfield 10 previous times, winning only in lockdown, got the triumph that had always eluded him. “It is so difficult,” sighed Guardiola. “Anfield is Anfield: the tradition, the history, the crowd.”
His historic triumph had considerable consequences for Liverpool. Dominik Szoboszlai had shaped up as the match-winner and ended up sent off and suspended for Wednesday’s trip to Sunderland. Arne Slot beat Guardiola at home and away last season. Now there has been another reversal in fortunes – indeed City’s first league double over Liverpool since 1937 – and a second defeat in three league games left the Dutchman bemoaning misfortune. “So many times this year we haven’t got what I think we deserve and this is another time,” sighed Slot. “I am feeling anger and disappointment.”
An extraordinary end was a familiar one for a team who have conceded four injury-time winners this season. If, for much of the match, this seemed a pale imitation of some of the epic encounters between Guardiola’s City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, the last half-hour brought drama to rival any. And, for Szoboszlai, a cruelty.
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Dominik Szoboszlai appeals for a foul after City find the net in added time (Reuters)
Craig Pawson sends off Szoboszlai at the end of City’s victory at Anfield (AFP/Getty)
It may be best to start at the end; with Alisson stranded in City territory, Rayan Cherki rolled the ball in from the centre circle. It was pursued by two scorers, former teammates and friends. Szoboszlai tugged Haaland back, then the Norwegian responded in kind to stop the Hungarian clearing off the line. And, as neither reached Cherki’s shot, City celebrated. A VAR check later, a needless intervention from Craig Pawson and, ludicrously, Szoboszlai was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity even as the goal seemed to be scored. A free kick was instead awarded. “Just give the goal, don’t give a red card, simple as that,” said Haaland, speaking for many. Guardiola concurred. “Come on referee, give the goal and go home,” he said. “It is common sense.”
So City only won 2-1 and so Haaland had the status of the scorer of the decider. He assisted the equaliser, too, heading Cherki’s cross down behind Van Dijk for Silva to slide in and score. The City skipper had been an injury doubt: instead the man Guardiola called “the perfect captain” completed the game and started the fightback.
Haaland finished it; officially, anyway. He still has not scored a Premier League goal in open play since Christmas. It is a statistic that seems to matter rather less when he has an ice-cool penalty at Anfield to his name, earned when Silva chipped the ball forward and Matheus Nunes was upended by Alisson; it was not the last time the Liverpool goalkeeper was found in the wrong place. Haaland drilled in the spot kick. His celebration was first wild and then calm, in his trademark meditative pose. He had taken off his shirt, willingly collecting his booking. Like Guardiola, he had unhappy memories of Anfield to exorcise: his only previous goal here came in a Red Bull Salzburg side featuring Szoboszlai.
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Bernardo Silva races back to the halfway line after scoring for City (PA)
Erling Haaland converts from the penalty spot (Getty)
Cherki’s role in the victory should not be underestimated. A surprise omission, City missed his creativity. An inspired substitution, he helped turn the game. He might have joined Liverpool last summer, but they preferred to buy Florian Wirtz. Marc Guehi almost joined them on deadline day in September, was booed by the Anfield faithful and defended brilliantly. When he tugged back Mohamed Salah on the edge of the box, a caution seemed a price worth paying for pragmatism. Slot disagreed, more aggrieved by this decision than Szoboszlai’s sending off. “If you follow the rule book, it is a red card on Mo Salah,” he said. But Pawson was probably right there, Guehi was terrific and Liverpool got a glimpse of what they missed out on: of what they lost, too, as Haaland encouraged Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s long-term assistant and now Guardiola’s sidekick, to accept the City fans’ applause after the final whistle.
Meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose spot-kick saves had eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League last season, made a stunning save to deny Alexis Mac Allister a 98th-minute equaliser. “Out of this world,” said Haaland.
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When the Italian was beaten, it was in stunning, spectacular fashion. “What a strike,” said Guardiola. Szoboszlai produced a free kick that may have been even better than his winner against Arsenal, swerving in via the far post, leaving Donnarumma motionless. It seemed to leave City exiting the title race. Superior in the first half, without scoring, they were looking inferior in the second. But then it all changed in a fightback to anger Liverpool and annoy Arsenal. “Six points is still a lot,” counselled Guardiola. “All we can do is breathe down the neck of Arsenal.” And that may leave Arsenal feeling uncomfortable.
German skier Emma Aicher won silver in a dramatic Olympic downhill race in Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo on Sunday, securing Germany’s first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
However, celebrations on the podium were somewhat overshadowed after US star Lindsey Vonn suffered a fall and was taken to the hospital.
How did Germany win its first medal of the games?
Aicher finished second in the downhill, earning a silver for Germany.
The 22-year-old was beaten by just 0.04 seconds by US world champion Breezy Johnson, who clinched gold. Italy’s Sofia Goggia took bronze in front of a home crowd.
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The result marks Germany’s first individual Olympic skiing medal in 12 years.
Aicher told German broadcaster ZDF that the course had been aggressive over every jump, and that she had initially not been able to work out how good her performance had been.
“It just felt absolutely wild. Every jump kind of tore me apart,” she said. “To be honest, I didn’t think it would work out after the run.”
After learning about the medal, Aicher at first expressed frustration at narrowly missing gold before realizing the scale of her achievement.
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“Emma is already a true star on the Olympic stage,” said German Olympic Sports Confederation President Thomas Weikert.
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after the accident that had left her screaming in painImage: Michael Kappeler/dpa/picture alliance
Aicher has long been regarded as a leading future prospect in German alpine skiing.
She first emerged on the global stage five years ago at the World Championships in Cortina, contributing to a team bronze.
How bad was Vonn’s fall?
Vonn’s big dream of a second Olympic gold after 16 years ended after just 13 seconds. The 41-year-old, who had torn a left knee ligament nine days earlier, was thrown off at the first tricky bump, somersaulted, and lay screaming in the snow with her legs twisted.
Rescue services evacuated her by helicopter using a winch.
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“My heart goes out to her, I hope it is not as bad as it looks,” US teammate Johnson said.
Aicher also expressed her concern. “I immediately looked away; I hope it’s nothing serious,” she said.
Long, straight drives only happen when you catch the ball on the sweet spot and swing slightly in-to-out as you approach impact. Problem is, most rec players swing slightly (or extremely) out-to-in (as in, left of the target).
A visual aid can help.
Set up a yoga block (or any soft brick-shaped object) about one inch outside the ball after you’ve teed up. Use the block as a guide to steer your club on the correct downswing path.
If you tend to swing too steep or cut across the ball, you’ll hit the block — not good. Make some slow-motion practice swings to start, missing the block every time, then go after it at full speed.
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When you consistently miss the block, you’ll find your drives soaring farther while avoiding slices and pop-ups. It’s an easy drill but it works like a charm every time.
Cheryl Anderson is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who coaches at Heathrow Legacy Club in Lake Mary, Fla.
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President Donald Trump expressed support for Bill Belichick after the NFL legend was blocked from entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot earlier in the week.
Trump brushed off a “controversial” couple of years Belichick may have had, with his personal life spilling out into the spotlight. Still, Trump said during his interview with NBC News that the former New England Patriots head coach should have been a shoo-in.
Bill Belichick watches the Miami Hurricanes play the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“I thought it was terrible. He’s won so much,” he said. “He’s won so many Super Bowls. (He) became a little bit controversial, I guess, after that, his little period after that. During it, he was just a great coach. I thought it was very inappropriate.”
“He’s had a little bit of a controversial year-and-a-half, two years, maybe, but what difference does that make? He should be in there right at the top,” the president added.
Trump didn’t mention anything specific. But Belichick’s love life with Jordon Hudson was thrust into the national spotlight as he got to work as the North Carolina Tar Heels’ head coach. The tipping point came during Belichick’s interview with CBS and Hudson shutting down a question about how they met.
Hudson’s presence with the Tar Heels raised eyebrows before the season started. The Tar Heels were 4-8 in Belichick’s first year as head coach.
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As rumors that Belichick was going to be left out first surfaced, the president weighed in with criticism against the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
President Donald Trump arrives to speak about the economy at a rally Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Clive, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo)
“It is the same mindset that gave pro football the new and unwatchable ‘Sissy’ Kickoff Rule, that made it possible for Bill Belichick to not be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both are ridiculous and should be overturned!” he wrote on Truth Social, touching on the league’s dynamic kickoff rules.
Belichick, who is currently the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, was 302-165 in his career as a head coach between the Patriots and the Cleveland Browns. He won six titles with Tom Brady as the head coach of the Patriots before he mutually parted ways with the franchise after the 2023 season.
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He served as a defensive assistant under Bill Parcells with the New York Giants from 1979-1991. The team won two Super Bowls in that time.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA football game against Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Nell Redmond/AP)
Belichick’s Patriots’ career wasn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows either. He was caught up in the Spygate and Deflategate scandals during his time, which may have been a reason why some voters didn’t elect him.
Mia Brookes left it late to qualify for the Winter Olympics Big Air final but produced one of the best runs of the night to progress after a nervy start.
The 19-year-old recorded a total score of 167 on a freezing cold night at Livigno Snow Park, finishing third to ensure she can compete for gold on Monday.
Going ninth of 29 competitors, she left herself with it all to do after miscontrolling the landing on her first jump and hitting the deck, scoring a mere 29.75 and slotting into 24th place.
She was up quickly but with each snowboarder’s two best out of three runs counting towards qualification, and only the best 12 athletes progressing, she needed to be perfect on her second and third runs in order to make the final.
And she nailed her second attempt at the trick, a backside 1260 melon grab, scoring 89.00 – the second highest score of the night – to move up to 22nd.
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The teenager from Cheshire ran over to hug parents Nigel and Vicky at the barrier after successfully completing the jump and beamed after keeping her hopes of qualifying alive.
And while she could not improve on that score with her third trick, a slightly safer cab 1060 stalefish, her score of 78.00 was enough to bump her up the rankings and into the top 12. She celebrated by racing over to her parents once again – although she went the wrong way and had to jump the fence to get there.
“That was insane, honestly,” she said afterwards. “I loved it. Every minute was awesome, but definitely quite scary. After that first run, I was so nervous. You just have to take your time at the top, not rush into anything.”
Asked about the heightened pressure to deliver a brilliant second run, she said: “I think it really came out of me in an athlete way, just keeping cool under the pressure, not really making any rash decisions or rushing anything, so it was nice to see that coming from inside myself.
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“That third one was special to land that one. You’re definitely in the air, like, thinking about it in the back of your mind, spinning, like, oh, my God, I’ve got to land this. So it was really special.
Mia Brookes fell on her first jump, doubling the pressure on her second and third runs (Getty Images)
“I think, honestly, as much as I hate it in the moment, it’s moments like that that I just love. When you land, it’s the best feeling on the planet. That’s what I love.”
The youngster is known for her unusual approach to competing, listening to heavy metal music – she named Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, and Judas Priest among her favourites – to “block out the noise” and get in the zone.
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Fellow Briton Maisie Hill did not qualify however, after only scoring 20 for falling on her first run and failing to improve on her second, with a score of 57.25 on her third run not enough to send her through.
Brookes is one of Britain’s biggest hopes of a medal in Milano-Cortina and has the chance to go for gold in two events, Big Air and slopestyle.
She is the reigning X Games champion in slopestyle having won the title for a second time last month, and picked up an additional bronze medal in Big Air to underline her status as one of the favourites at Livigno Snow Park this week.
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But a stunning score of 89.00 on her second run restored her confidence (AP)
She won the only Big Air World Cup event she has entered this year, in Beijing in December, and won back-to-back World Cup crystal globes in the discipline in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Hopes are high for a ‘Magic Monday’ for Team GB, in particular in snowsport, with both Brookes and freestyle skier Kirsty Muir in action.
21-year-old Scot Muir is a medal contender in the freeski slopestyle having qualified in third. Brookes added: “I’ve grown up with Kirsty. We’ve known each other since we were younger, so to go into an Olympic final on the same day as her for Great Britain is really special.”
Curlers Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat also have the chance to guarantee a medal in the mixed doubles with a win in their semi-final against Sweden in Cortina, where they are the top seeds having lost just one of nine round-robin matches.
Rashid Shaheed has braved several odds to arrive at the threshold of history, one game away from Super Bowl glory. While his path to this milestone has been anything but smooth, it is important to note that Shaheed is from a family of celebrated athletes.
His parents, Haneef and Cassondra, are undoubtedly the earliest athletic influences on Shaheed. But who are Rashid Shaheed’s parents? And how did they influence his interest and journey as an athlete?
Thanks for the submission!
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Who are Rashid Shaheed’s parents?
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Rashid Shaheed’s parents, Haneef and Cassondra, are track and field athletes. Haneef attended Arizona State University, where he was a sprinter, while Cossandra ran the 400-meter hurdles at the University of San Diego.
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After Shaheed, Haneef and Cossandra had two girls, Aysha and Amirah, who were also track runners. The wide receiver also started out as a track runner before convincing his parents to allow him to play football.
In a 2023 interview with ESPN, Haneef recalled how he and Cossandra noticed Shaheed’s athletic trait as a kid. He said:
“We thought it was interesting that he immediately wanted to run everywhere. And as two track athletes, we thought, ‘OK, well, you know, the genetics are there for sure.’”
Despite his talent and early involvement in track events, Shaheed’s interest in football has always been apparent. Haneef put it thus in an interview with Mile Split:
“He ran track, but it was always to get better in football.”
Haneef’s involvement in his kids’ athletic development saw him coaching Aysha at Madison High School. He has also coached the youth track team Havoc despite working remotely for Anthem Insurance. While admitting that it’s challenging working with the kids, he hasn’t lost sight of the bright side. He said:
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“It’s a blessing and a curse, but on the plus side I’m just glad to be able to help. I’m here for the kids.”
Both of Shaheed’s sisters are now college track athletes, with Amirah running sprints at Oregon State while Aysha runs at Texas A&M. With a home full of athletes, there is bound to be some form of competitiveness. Haneef admits this, saying:
“It is very, very competitive with them. They bring it up all the time — who has more championships and who has more patches on their jacket.”
However, when the Seahawks take the field against the Patriots on Sunday evening, Shaheed’s family will be united behind him and his teammates.
Just two weeks after leaving LIV Golf and declaring his intentions to return to the PGA Tour, Patrick Reed already appears close to locking up his card for the 2027 season.
On Sunday, Reed became the first American to win the DP World Tour’s Qatar Masters. The win, his second on the European circuit in three weeks, vaults Reed to the top of the Race To Dubai rankings. The top 10 players who are not already exempt on the PGA Tour receive cards at the end of the season. Reed won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago and lost in a playoff last week in Bahrain before hoisting the trophy in Qatar.
“This little run I’ve had, two wins and a second, it’s awesome,” Reed said. “We couldn’t ask anything more than what we did. It’s special to come out here, especially to get two wins early on in the season, and hopefully there’s a lot more to come.”
Two weeks ago, after his win in Dubai, Reed revealed that he was currently not under contract with LIV Golf and was still negotiating his return to the league. Three days later, Reed announced he was leaving LIV and planned to play on the DP World Tour in 2026 while he waited for his PGA Tour suspension, which lasts through the end of August, to end. He planned to use his past champions’ exemption to regain status. But with two wins and a playoff loss in his last three DP World Tour starts, Reed has already just about locked up a PGA Tour card for 2027.
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The 2018 Masters champion currently has 2,259.70 points in the Race to Dubai. Last season, Jordan Smith finished 10th with 2,203.32 points. In 2024, Tom McKibbin, who eventually decided to forgo the PGA Tour to join LIV, finished 10th with 1,897.45 points.
Reed entered Sunday in Qatar with the lead, but early bogeys at No. 2 and No. 6 saw him drop from the lead. Reed steadied the ship on the back nine by making birdies at 10, 11 and 14 to eventually beat Callum Scott by two.
“It wasn’t looking very good there on the front nine,” Reed said. “To lose the lead like that and then to be able to kind of flip the switch there on the back nine obviously felt amazing. I just needed a putt to go in. I mean, I had 18 putts on the front nine; yesterday, I had 33 putts, so I felt like I was hitting the ball fine. I felt like right when we made the turn — you know, we were chasing at that point — I just decided to go for it and trust in the putter and trust in the process, and we were able to kind of get it done.
“I feel amazing. This one hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but today, with how stressful the day was, I was very proud because it very easily could have gotten away from me. The golf we’ve played since basically the offseason has been some stellar golf. I feel really confident in my golf game right now, and it’s always awesome to come and play the way we do, especially over here.”
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With the win, Reed also moves into the top 20 in the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time since 2021. He is exempt into the Masters for life, but his position in the OWGR means he should be eligible to play all four major championships this season.
It has taken Patrick Reed all of three tournaments on the DP World Tour to likely secure his full-time PGA Tour card for the 2027 season.
But now sitting atop the Race To Dubai, Reed has his sights on becoming the first American to win the Race To Dubai since Collin Morikawa in 2021.
“It’s always on your radar,” Reed said. “Trust me, you’d rather be in the lead than hunting and chasing. It’s always been a dream of mine to be an American and come out here and win the Race to Dubai. And hey, we’re off to a fast start.”
