NIIGATA, Japan — U.S. figure skater Johnny Weir, a three-time U.S. champion (2004-06), is skipping the 2010-11 season.
Weir, a two-time Olympian, is known as much for his outlandish costumes and frank comments as his short and long programs.
“My decision comes after months of weighing the pros and cons of competing this season, and I have decided that I need a year to explore and reinvent myself as an athlete and artist,” the 26-year-old Weir said Thursday. “There are many projects that I’m currently working on and that I want to devote my time to.”
Weir will concentrate on careers in fashion and singing and has a memoir that will soon be published. He’s also a reality TV star and plans to produce skating shows.
No coaches’ poll for Trojans
LOS ANGELES — Southern California is ineligible for the USA Today coaches’ football poll for the upcoming season.
Grant Teaff, the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, issued a statement to USA Today confirming that his organization’s members aren’t allowed to vote for any school on major probation, such as a bowl ban.
The coaches’ poll is part of the BCS formula used to determine its national champion.
Set sail for San Francisco.
Defender BMW Oracle Racing announced that San Francisco is the only U.S. port being considered to host the 34th America’s Cup match.
That eliminates San Diego and Newport, R.I., both former sites of America’s Cup racing, and Long Beach, Calif., where the 1984 Olympic regatta was sailed.
San Francisco is home to the Golden Gate Yacht Club, which sponsors BMW Oracle Racing. BMW Oracle Racing wrested the silver trophy from Alinghi of Switzerland in a two-race sweep off Valencia, Spain, in February.
Fever keeps the heat on
INDIANAPOLIS — Tamika Catchings scored 24 points as the host Indiana Fever won its seventh straight WNBA home game, a 100-72 decision over the Tulsa Shock.
• Rebekkah Brunson had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Lynx to an 89-66 win over the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars.
Footnotes.
Former major-leaguer Darin Erstad, one of the most decorated baseball players to come out of Nebraska, has rejoined the Cornhuskers as a volunteer coach.
• Robbie Findley‘s penalty kick goal late in the first half and Nick Rimando‘s fifth straight shutout gave Real Salt Lake a 1-0 MLS victory over the Chicago Fire.
• Right wing Eric Fehr, who set career highs with 21 goals and 18 assists last season, signed a $4.4 million, two-year contract to stay with the Washington Capitals.
• The Atlantic Coast Conference and ESPN have agreed to a 12-year deal that would give the network exclusive rights to conference football and men’s basketball games.
• Linebacker Antonio Pierce has retired from the NFL after nine seasons and is joining ESPN as an NFL analyst.
