AUSTIN, Texas — Janet Evans qualified for the Olympic swimming trials in the 800-meter freestyle at the Austin Grand Prix on Sunday, the 40-year-old’s second qualifying time in two days in her comeback bid.
Missy Franklin, a 16-year-old who attends Regis Jesuit High School, won the women’s 100 backstroke in a time of 59.92 seconds. Franklin, who won the 200 backstroke Saturday, finished fifth in her other race Sunday, the 200 individual medley.
“I felt really strong in almost every race,” Franklin said.
Evans finished in 8 minutes, 49.05 seconds. Evans, who still owns the American record set in 1989, won the race by more than 14 seconds.
“Swimming is insanely difficult even with the energy of a 16-year-old,” Franklin said. “When you’re 40 years old and she’s in that kind of shape, it’s absolutely incredible. She’s really a true role model for everyone.”
Michael Phelps finished the meet with his third victory of the week, winning the 200 individual medley in 1:58.82.
Kostelic wins World Cup slalom
WENGEN, Switzerland — Ivica Kostelic of Croatia proved the master of Wengen again, winning a World Cup slalom to close the gap on overall standings leader Marcel Hirscher, who was disqualified for straddling a gate.
Kostelic was almost flawless in the second run to finish 0.85 of a second ahead of Andre Myhrer of Sweden. Fritz Dopfer of Germany was third.
Kostelic has won five of the last seven World Cup events raced at the storied Swiss venue since January 2010. His 22nd career World Cup victory cut Hirscher’s lead to 30 points.
Saltalamacchia will remain with Red Sox
BOSTON — Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and the Boston Red Sox reached agreement on a one-year contract and avoided salary arbitration. The 26-year-old Saltalamacchia set career highs with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs last season. He hit .235.
• The Oakland Athletics and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon, a 38-year-old who went 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA last year for the New York Yankees, reached agreement on a one-year deal.
• The Toronto Blue Jays and center fielder Colby Rasmus (.225 with 14 homers and 53 RBIs last year) agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million contract, avoiding arbitration.
Spillane finishes eighth in nordic combined event
CHAUX-NEUVE, France — Alessandro Pittin of Italy won his third straight nordic combined World Cup event to narrow the gap with Jason Lamy Chappuis of France in the overall standings.
Steamboat Springs’ Johnny Spillane was eighth, his best finish of the season. Two other Steamboat skiers — Bryan Fletcher and Taylor Fletcher — placed 26th and 39th, respectively.
Pittin broke away during the second lap of the 10-kilometer cross country race to finish in 22 minutes, 18.1 seconds. Norwegian skiers Joergen Graabak and Mikko Kokslien finished second and third, respectively.
Footnotes
South Africa’s Branden Grace won his first European Tour title by shooting an even-par 72 for a one-shot victory over Englishman Jamie Elson (63—270) at the Joburg Open in Johannesburg.
• Frenchmen Stephane Peterhansel and Cyril Despres won the Dakar Rally, completing the final stage in Lima, Peru, two weeks after the race began in Argentina.
• Finland’s Osku Palermaa became the first international player and first two-handed-style bowler to win the Professional Bowlers Association World Championship, beating Ryan Shafer 203-177 at the first major championship of the season in Las Vegas.
