News » o White Sox players warmly greeted their ace as the fiv

VAL GARDENA, Italy -- Max Franz stunned the field to win a World Cup downhill Saturday, ending Austrias 13-race drought in skiings signature event with his first career victory.Starting with the No. 26 bib after all of the favorites had already come down the Saslong course, Franz finished a slim 0.04 seconds ahead of Norwegian standout Aksel Lund Svindal and 0.41 in front of Val Gardena specialist Steven Nyman.The previous Austrian man to win a downhill was Hannes Reichelt in Kvitfjell, Norway, in March last year.Austria, once known as the sports Wunderteam for producing downhillers like Franz Klammer, Stephan Eberharter, Hermann Maier and Michael Walchhofer, didnt win a single downhill all of last season.Its a big relief, Franz said. We knew that all we needed was a little something and then the pressure would let up and now we can all ski without this external pressure.Matthias Mayer of Austria won the downhill at the 2014 Sochi Olympics but he had his season cut short last year with a horrific crash in Val Gardena, breaking two vertebrae. Having returned to action earlier this season, Mayer finished 17th Saturday.Franz also had injury problems last season, missing several races due to knee and ankle problems.Of course its an individual sport but this is going to help the entire team, Franz said in German through a translator.The 27-year-old Franzs previous best results were two runner-ups and one third-place.Svindal was already being interviewed as the presumed winner when Franz came down and made up a deficit in the final interval.Upon seeing his result, Franz whipped his poles around wildly while Svindal took his hat off and Nyman applauded.Svindal swept both the super-G and downhill in Val Gardena last season and was looking for his first victory since missing much of last season following a crash and knee injury in Kitzbuehel.Nyman, meanwhile, needed one more win to match Klammer and Italian standout Kristian Ghedina for a record fourth downhill win in Val Gardena.The highlights of the Saslong are the camel bumps, which launch skiers into the air for nearly 80 meters (90 yards), and the twisty and technical ciaslat section -- two areas that come right after another midway down. There are also numerous little bumps and jumps, providing constant air time.Svindal made a major error midway through his run, landing a jump far outside the race line, prompting him to brake to clear the next gate.You dont win races with mistakes, Svindal said. The other guys are too fast. ... I knew it wasnt really perfect.Nyman also struggled, sitting down on his skis while landing the bigger camel jump. Still, the American was able to regain his speed.I was just telling myself, `You got to keep pushing. The first thing in my mind was that the knees didnt pop so things are OK. Lets keep going, keep charging. Lets go, lets go, lets go, Nyman saidAll three of Nymans wins have come in Val Gardena.I cant not be happy about a podium, Nyman said. Im really happy to perform the way I did with a mistake.Adrien Theaux of France finished fourth and 2013 winner Erik Guay of Canada was fifth.In a strong day for the U.S. Ski Team, Travis Ganong came seventh and Bryce Bennett was eighth.Kjetil Jansrud, the Norwegian who had won the opening three speed races of the season -- including Fridays super-G on the Saslong, was only 12th.The men travel over the Gardena pass into Alta Badia for a giant slalom and a parallel slalom Sunday and Monday, respectively.---Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampfKareem Abdul-Jabbar Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Marshall Plumlee Jersey . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. http://www.cheapbucksjerseys.com/ .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. Xavier Munford Jersey . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Malcolm Brogdon Jersey . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night.CHICAGO -- Chris Sale arrived on the last player bus to Wrigley Field dressed in a dark suit, walked into the cramped visiting clubhouse, scanned the room and smiled.He hugged teammates Dioner Navarro and Matt Albers, then did a lap around the clubhouse, greeting each player sitting at his locker.Good to see you, pal, third baseman Todd Frazier said.Chicago White Sox players warmly greeted their ace as the five-time All-Star returned to the team Thursday following his jersey-tearing incident last weekend that earned him a five-day suspension. Sale was to start later against the crosstown Cubs.Its weird, its a crazy situation, Navarro said, but I think if somebody can handle it its him.The White Sox optioned right-hander Anthony Ranaudo to Triple-A Charlotte to open a roster spot as Sale was reinstated from the suspended list.Sale, like most starting pitchers, didnt talk to reporters before the game.The left-hander toore up 1976-era throwback jerseys he didnt want to wear for his last scheduled start Saturday against Detroit.dddddddddddd The White Sox scratched Sale, sent him home and a day later suspended him five days for insubordination and for destroying team equipment.Sale later told MLB.com that he stood by his actions and suggested manager Robin Ventura should have stood up for him.The players have been supportive of Sale, with Frazier saying, Were a family.Some mistakes are bigger than others, but youve got to understand were all not perfect, Frazier said.Ventura spoke to reporters just a few minutes after his five-time All-Star arrived.Hes a great kid. This hasnt changed that, Ventura said. Weve seem him do some really great stuff. I know Ive done some stuff that I wouldnt want people to know. ' ' '