The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 34

02 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. 1994 v. vmciicuvc uuacr snare rauiiig muicia Havoline 200 TOP FINISHERS 1 J. Villeneuve ReynarCfFord 2. Al Unser Jr.

Penskellmor a Fittipaldi Penskellmor 4. Teo Fabi Reynardllmor 5. A. Fernandez Reynardllmor 6. Raul Boesel LolaFord 7.

Scott Goodyear 8. S. Johansson Penskellmor 9. Bobby Rahal LolaHonda 10. Scott Sharp Lola'Ford SERIES POINT LEADERS ('-Clinched season title) Unser 209, Fittipaldi 151.

Michael Andretti 114. Paul Tracy 109, Robby Gordon 104. ltd. I aged to go on." he added with a smile. "It was a great battle for the next two corners." The Indy-car rookie, who makes his home in Monte Carlo, was able to hold off Tracy until an engine failure put him out of the race on lap 44.

then kept Unser behind him to the end, earning his first career victory. His previous best was a strong second place behind Unser In the Indianapolis 500. Over the final 15 laps. Villeneuve never led by as much as two seconds, but kept at least half a second on the two powerful Penskes. winning by 0.609-sec-onds.

"What I was really trying to do was push him into a mistake and he made a perfect race," Unser said. "He's one of the best rookies we've had." Unser, who won the series title in 1990. was ecstatic about giving team owner Roger Penske his ninth series championship and first since Danny Sullivan's in 1988. "I feel like I got a little Job security." Joked Unser, who took the title with two races remaining, the earliest clinching since former Penske driver Rick Mears won with two races to go in 198 1 Penske had to calm Unser during the caution period before the decisive restart when Tracy passed him on the pit lane after both made their final fuel stops. Unser insisted Tracy had exceeded the pit lane speed limit of 80 mph and it was later discovered that the radar unit at the pit exit was not working properly for much of the race.

"Roger and I were talking under that yellow there." Unser said. "I was mad because I felt Paul had exceeded the speed limit when he passed me. But. after a while. I told Roger.

1 definitely want the No. 1 on my car next year more than I want a win at Elkhart He came back over the radio with a big 10-4" Villeneuve's Ford-powered Reynard began to run out of fuel Just before crossing the finish line. He decided he would not make it back around the long track, so he wound up turning off the engine and parking the car on the side of the road Just past the first turn. He walked back to the victory celebration In the pits, waving to fans on both sides of the track. Jacques captures first race, Al Jr.

driving championship. By Mike Harris ASSOCIATED PRESS Elkhart Lake, Wis. Jacques VlUeneuve came of age Sunday, passing Paul Tracy and Al Unser Jr. with a daring maneuver, then holding on to win the Texaco-Havoline 200 as Unser wrapped up his second Indy-car PPG Cup championship. The 23-year-old son of late Formula One star Cllles ViUeneuve and the nephew of 1985 Elkhart winner Jacques ViUeneuve took the lead on a restart 15 taps from the end of the 50-lap race on the four-mile.

14-turn Road America course. Villeneuve's dramatic and daring move was set up when the second full-course caution flag of the race came out on Lap 32 after Arie Luyendyk slid off the track, hit a barrier and wound up stopped sideways across the track. When the green flag waved for the start of Lap 36. Tracy, who started from the pole and led from the start, got a challenge from I It. 7 Associated Press FRESH FACE: Jacques Villeneuve savors his first IndyCar win.

Ceremonies open rowing championships Showcase of 1,200 athletes from 47 countries begins today. By Allen Johnson STAR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Urging the more than 1.200 athletes from 47 countries here to compete at the World Rowing Championships to "Work hard, fight hard, and go beyond your own personal limits." the president of the world governing body of the sport officially opened the eight-day event at Sunday's opening ceremonies. The ceremonies, held on the spacious lawn of the American Legion Mall under sunny, warm afternoon skies, was not Olympic-sized in stature. It was not even Pan Am-sized. But It was historic, nonetheless.

"It's a great day for world rowing to be here in the United States 'I 'Hi for the first time In our 102-year history." said Denis Oswald, president of FISA (Federation Internationale des Societies D'Avlron). based In Geneva. The ceremonies began with a 30-minute choral show by the Indianapolis Children's Choir, under the direction of Henry Leek, and accompanied by the Butler University band. Howard Caldwell, the retired WRTV-Channet 6 news anchor, served as master of ceremonies and introduced the podium, which included Dr. Geoffrey Bannister, the chairperson of the championships and president of Butler, and Mayor Stephen Goldsmith.

"Indianapolis- prides itself as being the amateur sports capital of the world," Goldsmith said. "We hope to display our special brand of Hoosler hospitality." All remarks were translated into French, the official language of FISA. larus and Canada reluctantly stopped on command. It took nearly 20 minutes to fix the equipment and the rowers waited in their boats. When the race resumed.

Romania stormed to victory with Australia second. By international rules, event hosts are required to have backup pieces for every boat and rower. Had Sunday's field of eight-women boats had seven teams, there would have had to have been 56 oars standing nearby Just In case. "In the first races of the day, everyone's adrenalin Is running high," said Mike Amick, a former rower and current novice coach at Kansas. "At this level, exceptional things happen." Tell that to the NFL.

Give me an 'A' Ken Smith passed his FISA (Federation Internationale des Societies D'Avlron) umpire exam Saturday at the State Capitol to Loose sneakers gets second heat off on Knight-Ridder Tribune ON THE DEFENSIVE: Michael Stich fights off a feisty return from Andre Agassi, but he couldn't fend off Agassi forever. teammate Unser on the outside. Villeneuve took advantage of the situation, driving to the inside. He moved alongside the momentarily distracted Tracy, a fellow Canadian, and drove past. "I thought that would be my best chance to make a move, and the fact that Paul was too close behind the pace car (on the restart) helped me a lot." Villeneuve said.

"Paul hit me In the back and I got a little sideways, but I man capped with a reflex volley on a volley by Stich at his chest. Agassi raised his hands and pranced around the court, as if saying, "I can do no wrong." That shot and show by Agassi rattled Stich enough that he dou- ble-faulted to lose the set. his second serve sailing five feet long. Agassi had only three unforced errors in the first set, incredibly low for a player hitting with such abandon from the baseline and going for the lines and the corners. For the match, Agassi would wind up with Just 14 unforced errors.

Stich 48. Stich got his serve working in the second set, holding all the way to the tiebreaker. But Agassi gained the advantage he needed in the tiebreaker with a bullet backhand return that ticked the net cord and threw off Stich as he came in. Stich dumped the half-volley Into the net to fall behind 4-2, and Agassi served out the set. Nothing was working for Stich, least of all his most Important weapon his serve.

His frustration was visible In the way he bowed his head and it was audible in the way he shouted angrily at umpire David Littlefield, asking him at one point, "Are you American?" Littlefield. from Florida, didn't penalize Stich for any of his repeated outbursts, and he let Stich have his way when he asked for a change of a linesman. In the final set, when Agassi broke Stich for the last time for a 6-5 lead, one of the shots came at close range and hit Stich In the right wrist, knocking the racket out of his hand. The aim was purposeful. "I'm a big guy.

I'm easy to hit." Stich said. 500 this Sun. at 12 Noon r-iiMiiMiiitni iiMHiiimiwl fiiili i The volunteer staff of the World Championships set up about 400 lawn chairs, but most of the crowd preferred to sit on the comfortable grass along the edges of the mall. "I was attracted to the opening ceremonies because 1 didn't want to miss the excitement." said Lorraine Phillips. 31, a marketing researcher at a local law firm who rode her bicycle to the Mall to watch the proceedings.

"From what someone has told me. this may not come back to Indianapolis in our lifetime. I Just wanted to see what it was all about, and it was a beautiful day." Judson King, 31, who works at the Indiana House of Representatives, was Interested in the event because he resides near Eagle Creek Park, and has watched a lot of rowing. "I'm a very casual observer of rowing," said King, who plans to see some of the competition this become the 25th internationally accredited America referee. Smith was presented his the official notice he had passed the test, Sunday after the first heats.

"It wasn't as difficult as I had expected," said the 38-year-old Smith. Still, only three of the five test takers passed the exam. The other four were South African. But it is ironic that Smith passed his test in Indianapolis. A former rower and longtime referee who lived in New York City for most of the past 25 years.

Smith and his wife moved to Geneva, the international FISA headquarters. In January. The reason was a Jqb matter unrelated to rowing. Smith therefore could have taken the test in either Paris or Munich at other international regattas this year. But he chose Indianapolis.

"I was going to attend this regatta anyway," Smith explained. "It's a little Ironic that the U.S. thought we had overcome (the first half of the race)." Sorry. Germany had advanced. Once out of the water, the Americans slowly worked their way through the cool-off refreshments and talked privately about mistakes made and lessons learned.

Off to the side. Faroog put the ultra-competitive first heat In week. "I've seen enough Americans practicing out at Eagle Creek, and this Is the onehance I will probably have to seejfuif ery best in the world." In the parade of athletes, a representative from each of the 47 competing nations walked to the podium carrying his or her nation's oar. accompanied by aChil-dren's choir member. An equestrian law enforcement contingent then presented the flag for the Star-Spangled Banner.

It was a colorful spectacle, though not appreciated by all. "It was way too hot," said Jessica' Hancock, 12, of Zlonsville Middle School, as she displayed her blue children's choir blazer. "This is made of wool, you know." So it wasn't the stuff of an Olympic torch lighting, or high-powered celebrities. But for a sport like rowing, trying to establish itself in this country. It was a welcome, small measure of success.

wrong foot hosts the World Championships for the first time and I moved away." Smith is driving an Umpire Launch, which transports a FISA referee. "The World Championships are at a different level than the Nationals. The rules are a lot stricter." Smith said. "'2 An experienced pair The U.S. men's palr(without coxswain crew, which consists of Olympians Pat Manning and, Tom Bohrer.

has high hopes. Manning took a year off from rowing to go to Harvard's business school, and Bohrer has moved from the men's four without coxswain. "They've stepped it up to a much higher level this year," said their coach, Buzz Congram, who coached Manning af Northeastern. "They'll benefit from the format of the racing because their intensity level has been raised." snective. 'This was a heat and heats are for learning." she said.

wasn't the final. Things tha happened today will be used to make us better in the finals. "I think you'll see us get faster and faster. It's that great saying. 'You ain't seen nothin' yet, baby." These gals are hungry and this is an opportunity to do well lnthe finals in front of our friends family." That opportunity continues today with the first full session! of competition.

Heats will from a.m. and45 p.m. Jrm Sports The Sports Department is re- sponsible for all local and national sports-related news. If you wish to discuss a story or make a suggestion, call the telephone numbers listed here after 2 p.m., weekdays. If you are a coach or other person reporting a score or event results, please call 633-9180 after 4:30 p.m.

Sports Editor GlenKemery 633-9182 Assistant Sports Editor PatMcKee 6334182 Toll free (800)669-7827 Tf AGASSI Continued from Page 1 "It's quite amazing what 1 pulled off," said Agassi, who will jump from No. 20 to No. 9 in the new ATP rankings today. "I can't believe it. It's been an incredible two weeks for me." No player ever won a Grand Slam dressed like Agassi with his black cap, black shorts and black socks, nor did any other champion have his shoulder-length hair and gold earrings.

But the image-is-everything Agassi once again proved there Is substance behind his style, and it came in the form of rocketing returns of serve, compact ground-strokes and all-court pressure. The 24-year-old played better in this match than he did even In winning Wimbledon two years ago In five sets. Agassi dominated Stich at the start and at the most crucial times later in. the match. He broke the German at love In the first game, held with the help of three aces, broke him again in the third game, then held at love for a 4-0 lead.

The set was effectively over, and it ended officially after just 24 minutes with a bit of luck for Agassi and a double-fault for Stich. The luck came for Agassi with Stich serving at deuce. They had a rapid exchange, which Agassi I Custom Made Clubs Complete Repairs New Used Clubs Me Buy Used Clubs KEYSTONE GOLF S3SN. KEYSTONE 251-7775 By Curt Cavin And Allen Johnson STAR STAFF WRITERS Imagine a klckoff in a football game. As the ball floats to the receiver, his shoe comes off.

If he stops to fix it, he is steam- rolled. In rowing, he and the other starters get a restart. Equipment failure in the first 100 meters constitutes a false start for the field. MOID ROWING NOTEBOOK It doesn't happen often in international competition, but it happened Sunday in the second heat of the 1994 World Championships at Eagle Creek Reservoir. The Australians were just off the line when the sneakers mounted to the boat came loose.

Immediately, hands waved, whistles blew and sirens wailed. The crews from Romania, Be ROWING Continued from Page 1 Had the Americans not been caught listening to the starter's command, they might have earned the one-way ticket to the finals. Experienced in many international competitions, Scanlon said the U.S. team members were trying to time the pace of the Instructions. They came quickly and the other four boats Jumped off ahead of the hosts, who were part of the first World Championship run on American waters.

Once behind, it was an all-out scramble for speed. They juiced up the strokes per minute and tried to catch the rhythm. Meanwhile, the Germans kept the pace up. At 500 meters, the Germans were up 1.15 seconds on the Americans. By the halfway point, the U.S.

women had let The Netherlands slip past and they trailed the Germans by 2.91 seconds. "It's funny." said 10-year American coxswain Yasmin Far-oog. "Last year, we were very, very fast off the line. This year our forte has been more In the middle of the race," Sunday It was the finish. A 3-second deficit la hefty and yet the Americans fought back, picking up 1 second In the thlrrj 500 me- Star Staff Photo Frank Espied PROUD PAPA: Tony Kelly of Dublin, Ireland, prepares to take a photo of his son, Mark, during Sunday's opening ceremonies.

Mark is a member of the Irish rowing team. More than just ONE RACE a year Hear ALL the Big Races! on REBEL 106 dot! FM and WXLW 950AM ters and 1.37 seconds In the homestretch. At the finish, Scanlon looked around and couldn't decided If the first horn she heard signifying the crossing of the line was for her boat or not. The second horn was a split-second back. "They were very close together and I couldn't 1611," she said.

"I thought we had a chance. I Listen toTHE SPLITFIRE.