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Lydia Ko is tied third going into the final day of the Tournament of Champions in Florida PHOTO: LPGA Another blemish free round for Lydia Ko as she tries to defend her title at the LPGA Tournament of Champions in Florida. Ko sits tied third after the completiton of the third round at 11-under, four shots off the leader A Lim Kim of Korea. LATEST HEADLINES: Chris Wood hat-trick as Forest win Breakers win clash of wooden spoon Canterbury dominate ND make final Another late win for Auckland FC Kerr takes Blaze to final v Sparks Ko picked up seven shots during her round with birdies on the fifth, sixth, ninth on the front and on the back at the 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th with no bogeys. The New Zealand world No 2 is alongside American Nelly Korda with Sweden's Lin Grant one shot ahead in second. Twenty-seven-year-old Ko told the LPGA she'd been playing well all tournament. “Everything has been pretty solid,” said Ko after round three. “Even the first day, I hit the ball decent. Really struggled on the greens. I think that part of my game has improved the most the past couple days. Golf is strange. I feel like I technically played better yesterday, and even the 5-under, 7-under, they're both really good rounds. I shot a lower score today. It’s definitely some good momentum going into tomorrow," she said.

Chris Wood scored a hat-trick as Forest destroyed Brighton in the EPL PHOTO: PREMIER LEAGUE A huge turnaround for Nottingham Forest with a 7-0 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albiion in the English Premier League. New Zealand's Chris Wood scored a hat-trick of goals in succession in the 32nd, 64th and 69th minute at the City Ground, just a week on from Forest being beaten 5-0 by Bournemouth. LATEST HEADLINES: Breakers win clash of wooden spoon Canterbury dominate ND make final Another late win for Auckland FC Kerr takes Blaze to final v Sparks Lydia Ko moves into title contention Wood now has 17 goals for the season surpassed only by superstars Mo Salah (19) and Erling Haaland (18). Thirty-three-year-old Wood also became the first Forest player to score a hat-trick in Premier League since Nigel Clough in December 1987. Wood received a standing ovation when he was eventually replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi as a sixth goal was then added to the Forest tally. Forest are second equal with Arsenal on the EPL ladder, nine points behind leaders Liverpool

The Wellington Blaze celebrate with victory over the Northern Brace to reach the Super Smash Grand Final PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Worldwide cricketing star Amelia Kerr once again stoody up and taken control of a Super Smash match, this time the Elimination Final against the Northern Brave by 23 runs. The win puts the Blaze in their eighth consecutive final, six of which they've won. LATEST HEADLINES: Lydia Ko moves into title contention Otago Sparks ready Super Smash final Duffy called into Black Caps squad Pro cycling aspirations for Kim Cadzow Kazuma Kobori top-10 DP World Tour Kerr top-scoreded in the Blaze innings of 133-6 with 29 from 24, fellow opener Rebecca Burns 21 off just 10 balls and younger sister Jess Kerr made 24. Kayley Knight was the best of the ND bowlers taking 2-16 from three overs. In reply Northern Districts made 110 all out in the 19th over. with Nensi Patel scoring 23 and Caitlan Guerry 19. Amelia Kerr took 4-19 from her four overs and was backed up by a couple of run outs and Maitlan Brown with a couple as well The Blaze now face the Sparks for the title, also at the Basin Reserve

Lydia Ko has been a big improver in Florida PHOTO: LPGA New Zealand's Lydia Ko sits outright seventh at the second round at the LPGA's Tournament of Champions in Florida The defending champion's carded a bogey-free five under 67 second round to be four under overall, six shots off the lead. LATEST HEADLINES: Otago Sparks ready Super Smash final Duffy called into Black Caps squad Pro cycling aspirations for Kim Cadzow Kazuma Kobori top-10 DP World Tour Lisa Carrington sets sights on LA2028 Second in the world rankings, Ko moved up 21 places on the leaderboard from her first round. The lead is currently held by A Lim Kim of Korea. Meanwhile Daniel Hillier and Kazuma Kobori are down the order tied 43rd 10 shots behind the leader at the DP World Tour event in Bahrain.

Polly Inglis the Otago Sparks wicket keeper hits through a ball on the way to the Super Sjmash Grand Final PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Otago Sparks are keenly waiting for their Super Smash Grand Final opponents either the Wellington Blaze or Northern Brave. It's been three years since the Sparks last featured in a Super Smash Final, last time coming up short against the blaze in Hamilton in 2022. LATEST HEADLINES: Duffy called into Black Caps squad Pro cycling aspirations for Kim Cadzow Kazuma Kobori top-10 DP World Tour Lisa Carrington sets sights on LA2028 Paul Coll beaten in New York semifinals This time with a team with a wealth of experience will be eager to clinch the T20 crown, one they haven’t captured since 2017. Sunday’s final will also be Head Coach Craig Cumming’s last with the side, as he departs to the UK next week to take up a new role with the Nottingham Blaze Women's team. Cumming has been an integral part of the Sparks side for the last five seasons, guiding them to two Hallyburton Johnstone Shield crowns and a Super Smash Grand Final. “He’s been so good the last few years” said Otago Sparks spinner Eden Carson. “He cares so much about us (Sparks) in every aspect of life, so we are sad to see him go, but it’s an exciting opportunity for him, so we are really excited in that sense” Carson added. Cumming is thinking about the game first, instead of his emotions getting in the way. “We will let the emotions go at some point, but we will put those aside and focus on the game ahead on Sunday” said Cumming. “I hope we can bowl them (Either Blaze or Brave) out for 40 and do it in two overs, but I really home it’s a wonderful game and showcases the women’s game in New Zealand, because I think it’s going from strength to strength” Cumming added. As top qualifier, the Sparks will wait for the Elimination decider between the Blaze and Brave to see who they will face in Sunday's showdown. The Sparks will send 13 players to Wellington, with all 13 players having featured at least once in the competition this season. Grand Final, Otago Sparks vs. TBC 12:40pm, Basin Reserve, Wellington Sparks Squad, Suzie Bates , Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Anna Browning, Eden Carson, Olivia Gain, Kirstie Gordon, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Hayley Jensen (c), Molly Loe, Felicity Robertson, PJ Watkins

Jacob Duffy has been called into the Black Caps as cover for Lockie Ferguson PHOTO: TVNZ SCREENSHOT Otago Volts pace-bowler Jacob Duffy has been added to the Black Caps ODI squad for the upcoming Tri Series in Pakistan, starting in Lahore on Saturday, February 8. The right-arm paceman was a star of the recent in-bound tour by Sri Lanka when he claimed 12 wickets across the five white-ball matches he played and was named Player of the T20I series. LATEST HEADLINES: Pro cycling aspirations for Kim Cadzow Kazuma Kobori top-10 DP World Tour Lisa Carrington sets sights on LA2028 Paul Coll beaten in New York semifinals Super Smash playoffs teams confirmed Coach Gary Stead said Duffy would add depth to the pace-bowling department and was specific cover for Lockie Ferguson who is currently playing in the ILT20. Duffy will depart to Pakistan with the Black Caps ODI squad on Monday evening. New Zealand face Pakistan in the opening game of the Tri Series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday February 8, before playing South Africa at the same venue on Monday February 10, followed by a potential final in Karachi on Friday February 14. The Black Caps get their ICC Champions Trophy campaign underway in the opening match of the tournament against hosts Pakistan in Karachi on February 19.

Kim Cadzow in action in New Zealand and aiming for a pro contract PHOTO: SWPIX Noted climber and time triallist, Kim Cadzow would love nothing more than taking the national champion’s jersey back to the UCI World Tour. The reigning elite time trial champion believes the move to make the notable climb to finish the road race will still not tilt things in favour of the pure climbers for the upcoming Cycling New Zealand National Elite Road Championships in Timaru on 6-8 February. LATEST HEADLINES: Kazuma Kobori top-10 DP World Tour Lisa Carrington sets sights on LA2028 Paul Coll beaten in New York semifinals Super Smash playoffs teams confirmed Wollaston sprints to victory in Torquay Cadzow, who competed at the Paris Olympic Games, is excited to be returning to Timaru and believes the race will be one of the most competitive for many years. Cadzow will be joined by fellow EF Education-Oaty teammate, Henrietta Christie, along with 2023 under-23 road and time trial national champion, Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez); last year’s road and time trial under-23 national champion, Ella Wyllie, riding for Liv AlUla Jayco; and another Paris Olympian in Niamh Fisher-Black, impressive so far for new team Lidl-Trek. Add in some emerging talent, the UCI esport World Champion, Kate McCarthy and former world under-23 MTB world champion, Sammie Maxwell, it is shaping as a terrific array of talent. While the significant climb on the lap course will present a challenge, Cadzow believes it is not in favour of the pure climber. “It’s a climb suited more to the punchier climber, even a sprinter. It is a two and a half minute effort. It means for us pure climbers, we will do our best to make the race as hard as possible and see what damage we can do,” said Cadzow. “Taking the jersey back to Europe would be amazing. Having Henrietta with me, will add some pressure on us. We would love to take the title back to EF and create and awesome Rafa jersey with it. We will be gunning for it.” Last year’s race was challenging with wet weather for road race day, ironically something that would bring a smile to Cadzow who is working hard to handle hot humid conditions. “The team have done testing and once it goes over 30C deg, I struggle with nose-bleeds. “I did a lot of heat training to prepare for this. After a ride I would come indoors on the trainer, put a couple of rain vests on and a paint-suit, and ride at a certain power for an hour.” A high grade thermometer ensured an accurate measure of her core temperatures, as she pushed up to 38-39C deg but not over. “The team are looking towards the future big women’s tours and see if my body can adapt. “Things are trending in the right direction. I did not even last a day in the Giro last year but in Adelaide I coped much better and could perform as the team wants me to.” Cadzow has grown up in the cool, clear climes of Wanaka. “There is nothing I like more than a cold, rainy race. If I was not a climber, I would love to be a Classics racer with rain, grit and mud. It is a real kiwi thing I reckon.” While that will be something organisers and most of the field are unlikely to favour, Cadzow is hoping for the worst to achieve the best. The championships are arguably the strongest in memory with five of the six New Zealand women on the UCI World Tour and joined by all 10 kiwi men in WorldTour or UCI Pro competition. The programme comprises the Time Trial for all grades on Thursday 6 February, followed by the road races for Under-19 Women, Under-19 Men and combined Under-23 and Elite Women on Friday 7 February, leaving the Under-23 and Elite Men’s road race on Saturday 8 February.

Kazuma Kobori fired a bogey-free four-under 68 at the Bahrain Championship. PHOTO: KAZUMA KOBORI New Zealand golfer Kazuma Kobori sits inside the top-10 after the opening round of the DP World Tour's Bahrain Championship. Kobori fired a bogey-free four-under 68 at the Royal Golf Club on Thursday (Friday NZ Time) to be tied for 10th, seven strokes behind the early leader, Englishman Brandon Robinson Thompson. LATEST HEADLINES: Lisa Carrington sets sights on LA2028 Paul Coll beaten in New York semifinals Super Smash playoffs teams confirmed Wollaston sprints to victory in Torquay Losses continue for NZ tennis pro Sun The 23-year-old Cantabrian, in his first full season on Europe's top tour, made birdies at the third, fifth, 12th and 18th holes. The conservative route worked at the par-five third, with his approach shot from 100 yards landing within four feet for birdie, before knocking his second shot at the par-four fifth to within five feet. Kobori put his tee shot at the par-three 12th inside four feet for birdie and rolled in an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-four closing hole. Like Kobori, coming off a missed cut at last week's Ras Al Khaimah Championship, fellow Kiwi Daniel Hillier carded a two-under 70 on day one in Bahrain, to be tied for 35th. Hillier made birdies at the third, 11th and 14th holes, while his lone bogey came at the par-five ninth after missing the fairway and then having trouble in the greenside native area. The highlight of his round was a 13-foot birdie putt at the par-four 11th. Both golfers are among the late group to tee off their second rounds on Friday, with Hillier at 11.30am local time (9.30pm NZT) and Kobori in the last group to go from the 10th hole at 12.40pm local time (10.40pm NZT).

Ally Wollaston has won the sprint race near Melbourne for her FDJ-Suez team. PHOTO: FDJ-SUEZ Paris Olympic Games double track medallist Ally Wollaston notched up the first victory for her new UCI World Tour team, FDJ-Suez in the Surf Coast Classic near Melbourne. The UCI 1.1 level race over 119km from Lorne to Torquay is the shakedown before the UCI WorldTour Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race at the weekend. LATEST HEADLINES: Hearts beat Hinds, Stags beat Aces Loses continue for tennis pro Lulu Sun Oceania Hockey Junior tournament Strong women's field NZ Squash Open Kerr named ICC Women's Player of Year Wollaston outsprinted Paris gold medallist Chloe Dygert and hometown favourite Georgia Baker to claim the win for her French-based team. "I felt really, really strong today. In the last few races maybe I've struggled mentally, to really stay present in the race and stay attentive and be confident enough that I'm good enough to be there in the final. "Today, as soon as I started climbing, I knew I had a good shot at the win." Wollaston returns to New Zealand after the weekend race, along with fellow WorldTour riders Kim Cadzow, Henrietta Christie, Niamh Fisher-Black and defending winner Ella Wyllie to chase the coveted jersey in the Cycling Zealand National Elite Road Championship in Timaru..

Leila Walker at the Paris Olympic Games will be challenged for titles at the Oceania Championships PHOTO: SWPIX A 36-strong Australian contingent is looking to test New Zealand BMX riders in the 2025 UCI Oceania BMX Racing Championships in New Plymouth this weekend. In the elite and under-23 competition, the Australians will out-number the hosts in the important BMX Racing international event that provides invaluable UCI ranking points. LATEST HEADLINES: Ally Wollaston sprtnts to victory Hearts beat Hinds, Stags beat Aces Loses continue for tennis pro Lulu Sun Oceania Hockey Junior tournament Strong women's field NZ Squash Open Two highly experienced riders lead the Kiwi men’s charge in North Harbour’s Michael Bias and Cambridge rider Dan Franks. The pair are in relatively unchartered territory for elite BMXers having turned 30 years, but both are focussed on claiming an Oceania elite title to their palmares. Bias has found arguably his best career form in the last two years including the overall title in the French Cup series where he competes in recent years, and he was edged in a photo finish for the Oceania elite honours in 2023. He has been a world championship quarterfinalist and a world cup finalist in Brisbane last year. Franks, originally from Christchurch, was one of the leading New Zealand riders highlighted when he made the world championship semifinals indoors in Auckland 12 years ago, and was a former Oceania junior category winner. He returned to the sport for the UCI BMX Racing World Cups in Rotorua and has remained enjoying his “second” career in the sport. The young kiwi charge will come from two Cambridge riders in n Rico D’Anvers, third in the national championships last year, and Bennett Greenough, coming up from the under-23 ranks where he placed second globally for 2024 and the national champion. There are a bunch of Australians led by Max Cairns and Jesse Asmus, both Oceania podium placegetters in the last two years and Oliver Moran, winner of the 2024 Under 23 World Cup Series. Paris Olympic Games representative, Leila Walker will present a strong challenge for the elite women’s honours, with the Cambridge rider a finalist at the world championships last year and national champion. The elite men will race over three motos and a final. Strong opposition will come from Rotorua rival Megan Willians, second in the nationals last year and third in this event in Brisbane in 2024. Australian challenges will be led by teenager Sienna Pal, last year’s Oceania winner, and compatriot Teya Refus, the junior world champion. The elite women will compete over three races, with honours decided on combined points. Cambridge rider Jack Greenough, who was outstanding at the Rotorua World Cup last year winning round 1 and achieved a fourth place at the Under 23 World Championships last year, will be expected to be a contender in the under-23 men, along with Cantabrians Jesse Green and Jack Keown, who was third in the national championships. They face a massive battle with 16 Australians, including last years’ Junior World Champion, Josh Jolly, competing in this class, to be decided over three qualifying motos, semifinals and final. Cambridge rider Finn Cogan , the national junior champion, leads the kiwi hopes in the junior men along with runner-up Nick Cowie from Southland with another significant challenge from Australian riders. The junior men will battle over three motos, semifinals and a final. The Under-23 and Junior women are combined with New Zealand comprising Te Awamutu’s Brook Penny, the national champion and third in this event last year, Hamilton’s Amber Robson, third in the nationals, and Lily Greenough from Cambridge, second in the world championship juniors. They will compete over two qualifying motos and a final. There is practice on Saturday with racing from 11am on Sunday.

New Zealand bowler Tayla Bruce will be leading the charge against Australia PHOTO: BOWLS NZ The trans-Tasman bowls challenge takes place at the Naenae Bowling Club in Wellington starting tomorrow (Friday) with 56 competitors shared from each nation. The competition will be split between indoor and outdoor greens, as the players begin preparing for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be contested indoors. LATEST HEADLINES: Strong challenge to NZ BMX riders Ally Wollaston sprtnts to victory Hearts beat Hinds, Stags beat Aces Loses continue for tennis pro Lulu Sun Oceania Hockey Junior tournament Debuting for the Kiwis in the women’s pairs and fours is Taranaki 20-year-old Briar Atkinson. The young bowler is in the final year of a nursing degree while competing at the top level of bowls. Atkinson was named to the team in December, following a strong year in which she won the U26 Singles at the Oceanias. “I'm super excited and nervous at the same time. There’s a lot to look forward to and I’m excited to learn off the wider team and play some of the best bowlers in the world,” said Atkinson. “I’m expecting a lot of noise and some top bowls from the Australians, it’s a good team and we’ll be doing our best to cause an upset.” On the men's side, fresh off a second placing at Nationals, Keanu Darby from Dunedin will earn his first cap as he joins established BlackJacks Shannon McIlroy and Ali Forsyth in the top team. The third new cap will be presented to Kurt Smith, who will join the Para team. Smith will team up with veteran Mark Noble in the Para Men's Pairs. There will be another notable milestone, with Tony Grantham (Triples, Fours) set to play his 200th game for the BlackJacks in the second round. Bowls New Zealand Head Coach Mike Kernaghan says the competition is the start of an important block ahead of the 2025 World Cup in Hong Kong and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. “Any opportunity to play at this level against great opposition is really important for us,” said Kernaghan. “Australia is one of the best squads in the world and we know we can be very competitive against them so we’re looking forward to a great competition. The Trans-Tasman series will simulate the sets play format for the 2025 World Cup (Hong Kong) and 2026 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow) in the Singles and Pairs disciplines, while the Triples and Fours will play the traditional 18-ends and 15-ends format respectively. The event will include: Open Men's and Women's disciplines - Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours, Para Men/Para Women disciplines - Pairs, Mixed Pairs The full team is: Wome: Tayla Bruce Singles, Triples (2) Briar Atkinson Pairs (L), Fours (2) Selina Goddard Pairs (S), Fours (3) Leeane Poulson Triples (L), Fours (L) Val Smith Triples (S), Fours (S) Men: Shannon McIlroy Singles, Pairs (L) Ali Forsyth Pairs (S), Fours (S) Finbar McGuigan Triples (2), Fours (2) Tony Grantham Triples (L), Fours (L) Keanu Darby Triples (S), Fours (3) BlackJacks Para: Mark Noble Men’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs Kurt Smith Men’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs Teri Blackbourn Women’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs Julie O'Connell Women’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs Development women: Lisa Prideaux Singles, Triples (2) Kim Hemingway Pairs (L), Fours (L) Sarah Scott Pairs (S), Fours (S) Caitlin Thomson Triples (L), Fours (2) Natasha Russell Triples (S), Fours (3) Development men: Aiden Takarua Singles, Pairs (S) Robbie Bird Pairs (L), Fours (L) Hamish Kelleher Triples (L), Fours (2) Kaylin Huwyler Triples (2), Fours (3) Blake Signal Triples (S), Fours (S)

Lisa Carrington has confirmed she will chase a fifth Olympics campaign in Los Angeles. PHOTO: CANOE RACING NZ Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, has confirmed she has set her sights on a fifth Olympic campaign and will aim to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Carrington, who won three gold medals in canoe sprint at the Paris Olympic Games last year, has remained silent on her future plans since Paris, but on Thursday night posted on her social media platforms a photo of herself kayaking with the caption: “And we’re back. Let’s go. #LA28” LATEST HEADLINES: Paul Coll beaten in New York semifinals Super Smash playoffs teams confirmed Trans-Tasman bowls event in Wellington Wollaston sprints to victory in Torquay Losses continue for NZ tennis pro Sun Carrington's unparalleled success— nine Olympic medals, including eight golds—has cemented her as one of the all-time greats in sport. Now, with her sights set on LA 2028, she remains as driven as ever to push boundaries and support the next wave of talent. “I’m excited about the journey ahead,” said Carrington. “In both sport and life, there are no guarantees, so I think the only real option is to make the most of the moment and whatever path you’re on. "There’s no doubt I’m passionate about growth, and I can’t wait to see how the team and I progress from here. We all have big dreams, and I want to help my teammates achieve them.” Carrington and her K4 teammates Tara Vaughan, Olivia Brett and Alicia Hoskin won a historic gold medal in Paris. Canoe Racing New Zealand’s general manager of performance Nathan Luce reinforced the significance of Carrington’s decision. “Lisa has set the benchmark for excellence in our sport, and her continued presence in the programme is invaluable. Her commitment to LA 2028 not only strengthens our campaign but will continue to inspire future generations of athletes. "She has helped shape the culture of high performance in New Zealand canoe racing, and we are excited to support her and the wider team on this journey.” The announcement marks another significant chapter in an outstanding career, which has included gold medals across four Olympic Games and 15 world championship titles across the women’s K1, K2 and K4 disciplines. As preparations ramp up for the next Olympic cycle, Carrington's leadership and pursuit of excellence will play a crucial role in New Zealand’s continued success on the world stage.