Day: 23 July 2018

On a night of sensational running in hot and humid conditions, Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech produced the crowning performance of the tenth IAAF Diamond League meeting of the season as she took more than eight seconds off the women’s world 3000m steeplechase record, coming home, alone and triumphant, in 8:44.32 and a new world record to the roar of a near capacity crowd at Stade Louis II.

She obliterated the time of 8:52.78 set by Ruth Jebet of Bahrain in winning at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Paris in 2016, and the 8:58.78 set in Eugene last year by her compatriot Celliphine Chespol, who was on her shoulder halfway through this race but slipped back to a 10th-place finish in 9:12.05.

The 27-year-old Chepkoech, who had come into this race with the fastest time of the season, 8:59.36, has never won a major global medal but gave an indication of her sharpness this season by taking silver in the Commonwealth Games 1500m final, the IAAF reports.

She was clear of the field with three laps remaining as the rising tone of the commentary highlighted the growing possibility of a monumental performance that was duly delivered.

“I wanted to break the world record, that was the plan from the beginning of the season,” said Chepkoech. “And I was aware the biggest chance would be at Monaco due to weather, crowds and the whole environment. And this plan worked well.

“I felt strong during the race. I was thinking maybe I can break 8:50 but not at all was I dreaming about 8:44. And this time still could be improved, I’m sure. Maybe my next target could be to run under 8:40. It is a great feeling I brought back to Kenya the steeplechase world record. I’m very proud of it.”

The event also saw the setting of four meeting records.

In the women’s pole vault, which enthralled the crowd for a full three hours, the winner was somewhat unexpected as Anzhelika Sidorova equalled her personal best with a 4.85m clearance, with Cuba’s 2015 world champion Yarisley Silva second with a season’s best of 4.80m. France’s Ninon Guillon-Romarin beat her own national record with an effort of 4.75m.

The 87th Monte-Carlo Rally, to be held from January 22 to 27, 2019, will again change markedly from the previous year.

The Monaco Automobile Club, organisers of the event, say that next year’s rally will be 40 percent different from 2018. One of the aims is to make the route “more compact,” the ACM said.

The official start is scheduled for Thursday January 24 starting 19:17 from the Place Desmichels in Gap. During this first nocturnal leg, there will be two unprecedented special stages of a total of 41.07 kilometres.

These two specials, “La Bréole/ Selonnet” (SS 1 – 20.60 km – 20:08) and “Avançon / Notre-Dame-du-Laus” (SS 2 – 20.47 km – 21:11), disputed in the departments of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and of Hautes-Alpes, will reveal the best drivers in the championship, according to the ACM.

The conclusion of the rally, on Sunday January 27, coincides with the celebrations of Saint Devote, Patron Saint of Monaco, and will consist of four timed events for a total of 63.98 kilometres, without assistance, in the back country of the Alpes-Maritimes.

A final leg identical to the 2018 edition in which competitors will go through twice between the timed sectors of “La Bollène-Vésubie / Peïra-Cava” (SS 13/15 – 18.41 km – 08:20 / 10:55) and of “La Cabanette / Col de Braus” (SS 14/16 – 13.58 km – 09:08 / 12:18) which will be used as a Power Stage at the end of the second loop.

Derek Needham who finished last season as champion of Montenegro with Mornan Bar is the new addition to Monaco’s basketball team, according to his agent, Minia Ilic.

The 27 years old point guard has also a Montenegrin passport and since 2013 he has played in Siaulia in Lithuania, Khimki in Ukraine, when he won the 2015 championship and the MVP award, in Germany with Braunschweig and in Italy with Pallacanestro Reggiana.

The Roca Boys enjoyed a very successful season in the top French league, winning the Leaders Cup against Le Mans, and coming second in the French Championship with a loss at Antares.