Monday, March 26, 2012

NASCAR or Formula One – That is the Question!

To be perfectly honest, I have no idea if this is even a big debate or not. But if the blokes of Top Gear, from a recent episode, are to be believed, then this is certainly worth a good tempered discussion.

It does have all the elements that should contribute to a good debate. The common man versus the upper class, American vs European (mostly) or even rugged vs sophisticated. This is NASCAR vs Formula One.

F1 at Silverstone/NASCAR at Daytona
(Click to Enlarge)
NASCAR is one the most popular forms of "Stock Car" racing. This means all the cars you see there are production cars which have been customized for racing. But the customization isn't rocket-technology. Most cars are devoid of much technology and the influence of computers. There is a roll cage for safety, a spoiler and a bumper for some down-force and two strips of metal on the roof to induce drag in the event of a roll-over. It's man with machine in it's most primal form.

Formula One on the other hand is racing with cars made for racing and racing only. They are closer to a Eurofighter jet on technology and aerodynamics than to what we would generally call a car. Everything from fuel consumption rates to tyre pressures are sensed and monitored via computers. Even the steering wheel would seem as if out of a NASA laboratory. It's a display of extreme engineering for sport.

So now that we know the cars, what is it that these cars are capable of doing?

Your average Formula One car will give you a top speed of around 370 kmph. It goes from 0 - 100 kmph in 2.2 seconds. The top speed of a NASCAR vehicle is about 360 kmph and 0 - 100 in about 2.6 seconds (according to some sources but this is not a commonly available figure as NASCAR car's don't generally stop.)

A NASCAR race is fairly straight forward. 500 miles of gasoline powered action on an oval track which is about 2.5 miles long. So that translates into 200 laps of going round and round. Now while that might sound boring, this is how the entertainment is supplied. Firstly, there are around 40 cars in a race. Secondly, no braking and crazy speeds mean racing is literally bumper to bumper. Collisions and crashes are fairly mainstream. And thirdly, the races are more unpredictable than the performances of Chelsea FC.

A Formula One race on the other hand is far more complicated. The circuits firstly have turns in both directions. So the drivers need to actually do several practice sessions just to commit the track to their memory. Next, there are several strategies to decide upon. What tyre to start with, how much fuel to begin with, should we have a lighter car and take an extra pit stop and what not. Finally, all this boils down to which driver can make the best use of what he has been provided with to produce the best result.

So what do all these point at?

You get to see "all" the action in NASCAR. The circuit being oval, you can see each point on it from wherever you are on the stands. Further, the event itself is far more interactive with its fans, who have a chance to get a ride on these cars. In fact, NASCAR is one of the largest spectator sports in the US.
In comparison, given the nature of the track, you get to see action only once in about every minute in a Formula One race. You need television coverage to see the race from all the points. And unless you have seats in a stand with pit lane visibility, you aren't going to get much variety in your entertainment either. Also, unlike NASCAR, there no way apart from TV coverage that you can keep track of who is at which position even though the grid hardly goes through much turmoil during a race.

But Formula One races are global. They have fans and audience across several countries and the races are broadcast to almost every nation in the world. NASCAR is by it's very essence, an American pursuit. And finally (and this I think is one of the strongest points in favor of Formula One), an F1 car is, absolutely unanimously, SEXY. It's curvy and sleek and has a sweeter sound to it than any other machine in the world.

NASCAR is more spectator friendly. You will certainly get more entertainment here than in a Formula One race. But the introduction of DRS and KERS technologies have seen a rise in the number of over-takings than ever making Formula One much more friendlier to watch than before.

If unpredictability and the sound of metal on metal is your preference, then NASCAR is where you should be headed. If you are a person of sophisticated qualities with an eye for the finest, then Formula One it is for you, but only on TV.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The Greatest Ever


When we think of champions of tennis we are likely to think about Perry, Budge, Laver, Borg, McEnroe, Sampras, Federer and Nadal in the men’s game and Goolagong-Cawley, Billie Jean King, Graf, Navratilova and the Williams sisters in the women’s game. Those who have a keen interest in the game might even think about someone like Pancho Gonzales.
But chances are that most won’t think, even if they are aware, of Esther Vergeer.
Esther Vergeer serves at the 2011 Australian Open
For those who are not aware, here is her fact file:
20 Grand Slam singles titles – 9 Australian, 5 French and 6 US.
20 Grand Slam doubles titles – 7 Australian, 4 French, 3 Wimbledon and 6 US.
14 consecutive year end championships, 1998 – 2011.
World No. 1 since April 1999.
And she is on a 444 match winning streak.
Esther Vergeer has become the most dominant athlete on the planet at her chosen sport – Wheelchair tennis.
After a surgical mishap that left her without the services of her feet, Esther Vergeer was introduced to sports as a part of The Netherlands rehabilitation schemes for the paraplegic. She received coaching in volleyball, basketball and tennis. She became a professional basketball player, even representing her country in the European championships, before switching to full time tennis in 1998. The results were immediate – she won her first major and her first year end title in that year itself. By early 1999 she reached the World No. 1 spot; a spot which she hasn’t left since then.
Her dominance in the sport is overwhelming. In her 20 grand-slam wins, she has won 5 finals in a double-bagel, some of them against former World No. 1 players. Her overall record in singles in 666 wins against 25 losses. She has only lost one match since 2001 and the only reason she hasn’t won a major since 2002 is because she was either absent, or the event was not held.
The sports-persons community has certainly acknowledged her.  She has won the prestigious Laureus Awards, twice and every year since 2000, the International Tennis Federation has honoured her as their World Champion.
Credit also goes to the Dutch rehabilitation program. One look at some of the top athletes across various sports for the disabled, or just tennis for that matter, is sufficient to observe that many are from the Netherlands – this isn’t a coincidence. The program is specifically designed to rehabilitate those who developed a disability due to an accident into sports. The scheme provides specialized training, equipment, physiotherapy and most importantly, the motivation needed for someone who recently lost the services of a part of their body. An accident of the sort that happened with Esther could have easily shattered anyone, let alone an eight year old child. This scheme does the wonderful job of motivating via sports, something every country should draw inspiration from.
Esther Vergeer said during the 2012 Australian Open (which she won of course, double-bagel) that she always thinks her streak of 444 match wins will come to an end soon. Whether it remains intact or not, she is undoubtedly on of the greatest athlete of all times.

The Battle of Tasmania


This one was actually written in February, during the CB Series in Australia. Was published on Sportskeeda first.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is not often that Lasith ‘Slinga’ Malinga gets taken for 24 runs in an over. Indeed, he is so adept at strangulating the life out of an innings, especially in the shorter form of the game, that most sides adopt the tactic of playing him out to avoid damage. Even the mighty Chris Gayle, who is so imperious against every other bowler, looks quite meek in front of Slinga. You must respect him, for your toes sake.
But Slinga is human and is prone to lapses in his performances just like any other fast bowler, albeit much less frequently. And such an instance was yesterday. In the scenic cricket ground in Hobart, Tasmania, Slinga stuttered. He was subsequently dismantled, rearranged and made to look absolutely ridiculous in what was the most dramatic of run chases. It was not a cliff-hanger of a chase, nor was it a roller coaster ride towards a nail-biting result. Such was the intensity of India’s chase that the only question being asked as the inevitable result approached was whether the Lankans, especially Slinga would be able to pick themselves up for the remaining match against Australia, which they need to win to qualify for the finals.
Can I dig a hole here and hide in it?

In some ways, this innings by Virat Kohli was quite similar to the Desert Storm match. When Sachin blew away Sharjah and handed Australia a 101 lesson on how to utterly disrespect a bowling attack, India ended up short in that match. They only managed to qualify on Net Run Rate. The circumstances of this match were similar. After a usual lack-lustre display by the Indian bowlers complete with their trademarked “Get back into Form, My Friend” tactic, which Kumar Sangakkara was very grateful for, and which Dilshan doesn’t really need, Sri Lanka posted 320 for India to chase in 50 overs. They had to do it in 40 to stay in the tri-series.
This is where the difference lies, between the current Indian side and the team of the 90s. Sachin scored 143 out of India’s total of 250, while chasing 276 in 46 overs. Yesterday (Tendulkar was still there!) every batsman was involved. The openers put on 50 in 6 overs, setting up the chase. Then Gambhir and Kohli built on that platform while maintaining the required rate with a combination of good shot making and opportunistic running between the wickets. And finally, the IPL side of Kohli and Raina took over as they went from 215 after the 29th over to the target in the 37th over. Those were 9 overs of systematic belligerence. The highlight of which was the 35th over. Kohli got to his hundred with a couple to deep mid-wicket, and then reached 122 by the end of the over – a flick six, square of the wicket on the leg side, three boundaries past the fine leg fielder and a lofted drive on the off side. And when you have to pull Slinga out of the attack, you know you are in deep trouble.
Virat Kohli has mastered the art of The Chase.
Kolhi and Raina remained unbeaten, adding 120 runs in 55 balls for the 4th wicket. Another point to be observed in this innings was that the Indians never lost two set batsmen very quickly. Even though the Gambhir-Tendulkar partnership lasted only 3 overs, Gambhir had already chugged along to 17.
And this match also in a way reflects the Lankans’ fortunes since the World cup, which also happens to be the post-Murali era. Their batting isn’t a cause for worry but that is only half the match won. They really have no ace bowlers apart from Slinga and if he doesn’t fire, their bowling can be easily domesticated.
As for India, this match does not signify their return to the levels of the Gary Kirsten era. But it could be a turning point. India will never be at ease with its bowling unit overseas, it seems. But Kohli has yet again proven his mettle in the chase. He said in the post-match press conference that they were treating it like two T20 matches, which is a remarkable strategy. All that is missing for him is the same sensibility while batting first and the same intelligence in test cricket. And this applies for them all.
For the time being, Sri Lanka have to gather their wits and put Malinga back together in one piece, as they head to the MCG for their survival in the tournament. India meanwhile, can finally afford some peace. And go shopping!

Federer claims record-equaling title at Indian Wells


Federer wins at Indian Wells
Federer defeated Isner 7-6 6-3
Roger Federer claimed a record equalling 19th Masters Title after defeating American John Isner in straight sets 7-6 6-3, in the final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
Rain and wind once again made their presence felt in the proceedings as heavy cross court gusts tinkered with the player’s games. Federer who flourished in similar conditions yesterday against Nadal adjusted well to the conditions and won a majority of his first serve points. Isner too managed to tackle the wind and backed up his serves with good ground-strokes to keep the match on serve.
Play was halted at 3-2 in the first set due to rain. When it eventually resumed the sun was shining and the conditions started to improve.
Isner was the first to gain break points but failed to convert all three of them. Federer’s first break point of the match was also his first set-point, but Isner pulled out a rocket serve to force a tie-breaker.
Having played two exceptional tie-breakers against Djokovic a day before, the second of which included hitting seven consecutive first serves, Isner had a tremendous chance to claim the set. He claimed the first mini-break too, but gifted it away immediately and handed the break to Federer. Federer double-faulted at 5-4 to bring things back on level and had another set point at 6-5 on Isner’s serve. But a shanked attempt at a passing shot by Federer, which Isner left, only to see it land on the baseline, gave Federer his fourth set point. He claimed the first set 7-6 (9-7) with an unreturned first serve.
In the second set, both players started serving well but Federer was clearly at greater ease with the situation than his opponent. After six quick service games in 18 minutes, Federer made the initiative and created a couple of fantastic passing shots to break Isner to 15. He remained solid on his service game, dropping only one point in four games, while claiming another break to clinch the set and the match in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Isner’s magnificent run this week will see him rise to the top 10 for the first time and certainly earn him more respect. He made a strong case as a potential top American on tour. For Federer, the win fetched him a hefty $1 Million. But more importantly, it also fetched him his 73rd title, a record equalling 19th title at the Masters and 1000 precious ATP ranking points.
On to Miami!

Roger vs Rafa: The 28th Helping


A typical Federer vs. Nadal match is not unlike an exquisite dish you would expect in a fancy restaurant. That rich and succulent tennis these two serve made of those delicately put together points, a combination of good-old fashioned finesse with bold and conspicuous strength, all topped with a generous dressing of brilliance.
In short, it makes your mouth water.
However, their most recent offering was closer to street food than to fine dining – tangy and unpredictable, yet brilliant and enjoyable.
After close to four hours of delay due to rain in the Californian desert of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the venue for the 28th instalment of this contest, when the match finally got under way, it was under very tricky conditions – gusty winds and a chilly temperature of around 12° Celsius. And generally, variable conditions are something Nadal enjoys more than Federer. This is illustrated by both Nadal’s success in rain affected matches and Federer’s in indoors.
The start was a déjà vu from their last match in the Australian Open. Federer racing to a 3-0 lead and Nadal catching up to make it 3-3. But even in these opening rallies it was evident that something in the Rafa machinery was not functioning properly. Federer on the other hand, seem unperturbed by the conditions. Serving with a first-serve percentage higher than in the rest of the tournament, he was able to blaze away winner after winner with ease. In the next three games in which Federer won 15 out of 20 points, including a chaseable drop shot at set-point, to clinch the set 6-3.
Having passed through one déjà vu, many Federer fans might have been fearing another one in the second set, given what happened in that match in Australia. But their worries were short lived. Federer carried his first-set form into the second and Nadal carried his woes. A terrible sounding forehand and a moan of a serve, both of which barely reached the net gave Federer an opportunity to go up two breaks of serve, surely enough to settle the match for good. Nadal held on in that game from 15-40 down, but was broken the next time he had to serve, giving Federer his first chance to serve for the match.
But if there ever was a match in which Rafa did not put up a resistance then you are making things up. With what was, surprisingly, only his 2nd, 3rd and 4th forehand winners of the match, Nadal broke Federer and completed his hold to ask Federer to serve again for the match. Once more he went ahead to a 15-30 lead before the drama turned all the way up.
After bringing the scores to 30-30, the crowd witnessed one of the best rallies of the match, in which control switched almost after every two or three shots. Eventually a net-corded back hand set the ball for Nadal to play a cross-court backhand which pulled Federer wide on his forehand setting up a short ball for Nadal to dispatch cross court for a clean winner. Only, it struck the net cord and stayed on his side. It started to rain and play gets halted at Match Point. Both players were asked to sit while the chair-umpire examined the court for signs of slipperiness. After a few minutes of mopping the lines, during which the players and the crowd were twitching and buzzing loudly, play resumed. And in one swift motion, Federer fired his 6th ace of the match to clinch victory in 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Back in the final for the first time since his third title here in 2006, Federer will face-off against John Isner. The tall American shocked the entire tennis world by defeating World No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic. Already assured of a top 10 place, victory in the final will make him the top ranked American, surpassing Mardy Fish. Having defeated Federer earlier this year in a Davis Cup tie, his odds are certainly good as he looks to stop the Swiss from claiming a record-equalling 19 masters titles and claiming his first.