Formula 1, in fact motorsport as a whole, has traditionally had a mostly male environment. Some women are making a breakthrough on the driving side though, with Danica Patrick a contender in the American IndyCar series and Sabine Schmitz, the darling of TV show Top Gear, being one of the fastest round the Nurburgring. Not only that, but on the engineering side it was notable that alot of competitors form this years F1 in Schools competition were female.
While we're yet to see a major female presence in Formula 1, that does not mean that women aren't represented on the grid - meet the Grid Girls from the Singaporean Grand Prix. Bubbly, outgoing, and beautiful, these girls were chosen from many hopeful's to line up the drivers on the grid.
Springbok wing Jean de Villiers was suspended for two weeks Sunday for a dangerous tackle during the second Tri-Nations Test in Wellington, which the All Blacks won 31-17.
The ban up to August 1 means de Villiers will miss one game, the Test against Australia in Brisbane next Saturday.
De Villiers, who appeared before a SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia rugby) judicial hearing, was found guilty of a lifting, tip tackle on All Blacks winger Rene Ranger during Saturday's Test.
Judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan said "an important mitigating factor" in de Villiers' favour was his good disciplinary record in a 10-year international career spanning 60 Tests.
It was the second citing in two matches for the Springboks after lock Bakkies Botha appeared before the judiciary for a headbutt on All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan in the first Test, won by the All Blacks 32-12.
Botha was suspended for nine weeks and will take no further part in the Tri-Nations series.
Scott McCarron, who decided to skip the British Open to help out the PGA Tour in Reno, fired a five-under 67 to take a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Reno-Tahoe Open.
Tournament host McCarron finished 54 holes at the Montreux Golf and Country Club at 10-under 206.
Second-round co-leader Robert Garrigus bogeyed No. 18 for a one-over 73 and is tied for second place with John Mallinger (71). Garrigus and Mallinger are tied at nine-under 207.
Canadian rookie Graham DeLaet equalled the course record with a 10-under 62. He is tied with Aussie Rod Pampling, two shots adrift of McCarron.
American McCarron is seeking his first PGA Tour win in nine years and the fourth of his career.
"To win a tournament that you're hosting would be -- I can't even describe that. So I'm not going to go there right now," said McCarron.
"I'm just going to go out and enjoy my time up at Lake Tahoe and hang on the beach tonight and then tee it up again tomorrow and see how it goes."
McCarron made birdie on four of his first seven holes before chipping in for eagle on the par-five ninth.
McCarron used to live in Reno and accepted an offer to serve as the host of the tournament. The role includes helping the 12-year-old tournament get sponsorship so it can survive. But it also meant not going to the British Open.
"The British Open is one of my favourite tournaments and you can't win major tournaments if you're not playing them," said McCarron.
"Playing St. Andrews was something that I certainly was going to miss, but I knew how important it was to the community to get behind this tournament. We need to get a title sponsor to keep this tournament going and the only way to do that, I felt, was to get more involved."
"I'm very happy with my choice being here," McCarron added. "Hosting the tournament has gone extremely well and I've played pretty well so far, so I'd just like to finish this off.
McCarron, who has 11.5 million dollars in career winnings, has not held a 54-hole lead since 2002.
DeLaet had six of his 10 birdies on the front nine and finished without a bogey for his 62, matching the course record.
"It was just one of those days," said the 28-year-old DeLaet of Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
DeLaet only realized he was on pace to break the course record after his birdie try on No. 18 came up short.
"I figured it would be probably close, but when you're playing so well, you don't really think about anything like that," he said.
Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini made six saves as the Tottenham Hotspur played to a scoreless tie with the San Jose Earthquakes in an exhibition game on Saturday.
Cudicini had a strong game in Tottenham's first tune-up before the start of the English Premier League on August 14. Cudicini, who missed a good portion of last season following a motorcycle accident, made three saves in the first half.
The Hotspurs, which finished fourth in the Premier League last season, played without strikers Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Giovani Dos Santos, all of whom took part in the World Cup.
Tottenham managed just four shots on goal including three in the second half in front of a crowd of 10,712 at Buck Shaw Stadium.
The London club looked rusty after arriving in the USA late Wednesday following a 10-hour flight.
Olympic champions Germany came back from two goals down to defeat Britain 3-2 in extra-time and clinch the Four Nations title on Saturday.
Britain had taken a commanding 2-0 lead early in the first half when captain Barry Middleton chipped Germany goalkeeper Max Weinholt and James Tindall flicked a penalty corner conversion through Weinholt's pads.
But Germany looked sharper in the second half.
Linus Butt reduced the deficit through a penalty corner variation at the left post before Martin Zwicker drove a backstick shot for the equaliser to take the match to extra time where the golden goal rule was in operation.
Jan-Marco Montag scored the winner, flicking in Germany's fourth penalty corner in the last minute of the first period of extra time.
"I'm not super-pleased with the performance we gave, especially in the first half which was close to being awful. I think we were quite lucky not to have to come back from only two goals down," said Germany coach Markus Weise.
Britain coach Jason Lee was concerned about his team's staying power.
"We were not able to maintain enough control in the second half and we ended up having to run a lot," Lee said.
"It's good that we can be competitive with the number two team in the world who are Olympic champions and that is progress from where we were a few years ago."
New Zealand took the bronze medal, coming back from 2-0 down to beat Japan 4-2 and reversing the result of the pool match which was won 4-3 by the Japanese.
Japan established a first half lead with a field goal and a penalty corner conversion by Tomonori Ono.
New Zealand stormed back in the second half with two field goals by Stephen Jenness, one by Steve Edwards and a penalty corner from Andrew Hayward as Japan ran out of steam.
"We played a good first half but in the second half we couldn't put on any pressure and played at too slow a pace because the players were too tired - the tournament was one half a match too long for us," said Japan coach Siegfried Aikman.
New Zealand coach Shane McLeod was pleased with his team's performance.
"After we got two goals, and were on level pegging, there was a high motivation at that time for the guys to go for the win," he said.
Uruguay and Romania will battle for the last remaining spot at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand after crushing victories in their zonal play-offs on Saturday.
Uruguay routed Kazakhstan 44-7 in Montevideo in an America-Asia play-off while Romania trounced Tunisia 56-13 in Buzau to take their Europe-Africa clash.
The Uruguayans, who played in the 1999 and 2003 World Cup, were never in trouble against Kazakhstan whose preparations for the game were hampered by their late arrival in South America.
Romania ran in seven tries with fly-half Dan Dumbrava kicking five conversions and three penalties.
The two countries will meet on a home and away basis on November 6 and 20 with the winners going into Pool B at the 2011 finals alongside Argentina, England, Scotland and Georgia.
Romania, who have qualified for all six previous World Cups, entered Saturday's cross-continental play-offs courtesy of finishing third in the European Nations Cup behind Georgia and Russia, who have both qualified for the 2011 showpiece.
Liverpool have agreed to sell Argentinian defender Emiliano Insua to Serie A side Fiorentina, the Premier League club said on Saturday.
Insua arrived at Anfield in January 2007 from Boca Juniors and played 62 games. He scored one goal against Arsenal in last season's League Cup.
"We have agreed a fee for the sale of Emiliano Insua to Fiorentina and given them permission to speak with the player," said a Liverpool spokesman.
"Emiliano has now left our Swiss training camp and we'll make further comment when appropriate."
Argentina will play the Netherlands in the women Champions Trophy final on Sunday after England and New Zealand drew 2-2, Netherlands squeezed a 1-0 win over Germany and Argentina beat China 4-3 on Saturday.
England's inability to score one more goal against New Zealand cost them a place in the final, failing to gain the 12 points needed to advance ahead of Argentina.
Argentina's win equalled England's 10 points but the South Americans secured a final berth with a better goal difference.
Germany goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds parried Netherlands' four first half penalty corner shots in the scoreless first half, winning more contested possessions while Netherlands turned over possession in the midfield and in Germany's circle.
Kim Lammers' 50th minute goal marked one thousand women's Champions Trophy goals and earned the Dutch their ninth Champions Trophy final berth.
Netherlands' coach Herman Kruis believes his side advanced by generally sticking to their game plan.
"We started the game with the goal to play a better press than the last matches and I think we did that very well because in the press we could pick up some balls and that was our goal for this match," Kruis said.
Germany coach Michael Behrmann was pleased with his side's showing - if not the result.
"I think we played quite well today in a very close match and we had chances to score and while I am not happy with the result I am quite happy with the way we played," Kruis said.
New Zealand spoilt England's chance of playing in their first Champions Trophy final by drawing 2-2.
The draw gave New Zealand their first point in the tournament and kept alive their record of not losing to England in Champions Trophy tournaments.
New Zealand's Piki Hamahona and Gemma Flynn had New Zealand ahead 2-0 midway through the first half before Nicola White's field goal and Crista Cullen's penalty corner conversion levelled matters at the break.
England had a penalty corner chance in the last minute, saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit, clearing Cullen's high flick with seconds remaining.
New Zealand coach Mark Hager was not enthused by New Zealand's performance.
"We were patchy although obviously the two goals in the first half were pleasing, but apart from that, in the second half, I don't think we created too many opportunities so we need to learn to play for 70 minutes rather than for 15 minutes," Hager said.
England coach Danny Kerry was impressed with New Zealand.
"I have watched the matches of New Zealand here and I think this New Zealand squad is very talented," Kerry said.
Argentina struggled to overcome China's speed at times as they let slip a seemingly safe advantage at 3-1, the Chinese roaring back through Zhao Yudiao and Fu Baorong.
But in a thrilling finale Argentina earned a penalty corner converted by Noel Barrionuevo.
As the Dutch and Argentina play for gold, Germany and England meet for bronze and China face New Zealand to avoid the wooden spoon.
Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti appeared to rule out a move for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres on Saturday, after seeing his side beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in their first pre-season friendly.
Torres won the World Cup with Spain last weekend but endured a disappointing, injury-blighted campaign with Liverpool last season, prompting speculation he could be set to leave the club.
Chelsea and Manchester City have both been linked with a move for the former Atletico Madrid marksman, but Ancelotti said the Premier League champions were already well stocked in the striking department.
"I don't think we need other strikers," said Ancelotti.
"Nothing has changed because in the next few days (Didier) Drogba, (Nicolas) Anelka and (Salomon) Kalou come back, and we have (Daniel) Sturridge."
Ancelotti also dismissed speculation over a possible departure for England international left-back Ashley Cole, who has been linked with a move to join former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
"I didn't speak with him, I don't need to speak with him and he doesn't need to speak to me," said the Italian.
"He is a player of Chelsea, did a fantastic season for us and will be an important player for us next season. One hundred percent."
Chelsea won 1-0 at second-division Palace, with Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien marking his return from a seven-month absence through injury with the winning goal.
Premier League champions Chelsea kicked off their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, while there were also wins for Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien made a goalscoring return after missing Ghana's World Cup campaign with a knee injury, netting the winning goal in the 60th minute with a crisp shot from the edge of the Palace area.
"It was an important return, he came back very well and played very well," said Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"He is a fantastic player, we missed him last season and we hope he can do the best for this season."
Summer signings Laurent Koscielny and Marouane Chamakh both made their debuts as Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 win in their traditional pre-season curtain-raiser against English fourth-tier side Barnet.
Russian attacking midfielder Andrey Arshavin put Arsene Wenger's men 1-0 up after dancing around the goalkeeper in the third minute, before a neat brace by young striker Jay Simpson put the game beyond Barnet.
France international Samir Nasri scored Arsenal's fourth in the 75th minute when he seized on a mistake by a Barnet defender before calmly beating the goalkeeper.
Manchester United, who finished second behind Chelsea in the Premier League last season, began their North American tour with a 3-1 defeat of Scottish giants Celtic in Toronto.
Dimitar Berbatov put United ahead in the 34th minute, burying the ball in the bottom-right corner with his left foot after controlling Mame Biram Diouf's left-wing cross.
Celtic drew level just after the hour when Giorgios Samaras netted a penalty following debutant Chris Smalling's foul on Celtic new boy Joe Ledley, before Danny Welbeck restored United's lead from Berbatov's cutback.
Berbatov then teed up Tom Cleverley, whose shot in the 86th minute deflected off a Celtic defender to leave Celtic keeper Lukasz Zaluska stranded.
"I enjoyed the whole game," said Berbatov.
"We have started well with a win. We have a lot of games before the season starts so I think we will be fully prepared."
Everton rounded off their Australian tour with a third straight win thanks to a goal eight minutes from time against Brisbane Roar from new signing Magaye Gueye.
The Frenchman latched onto an inviting low cross from Jose Baxter to tuck the ball home at the back post and give the Toffees a 2-1 victory.
Highly rated English midfielder Jack Rodwell gave the visitors the lead with a delightful 20-yard shot in the 49th minute, before Kosta Barbarouses drew the Roar level in the second half.
"It's nice to win games but I'd swap them all for three wins in the Premier League," said Everton manager David Moyes, whose side also enjoyed victories over Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart.
"But we'll certainly go away with a positive feeling about Australia."
Elsewhere, Bobby Zamora earned last season's Europa League runners-up Fulham a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, newly promoted Newcastle won 3-0 at Carlisle and Sunderland defeated near neighbours Darlington 1-0.
Liverpool were due to begin their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Saudi champions Al Hilal in Austria, with Tottenham taking on the San Jose Earthquakes in Califonia.
