The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 85

G7 Troubled waters for Ui 6I -H '1AW5 IS Quad team controversy had to be settled by arbitrator THE BOSTON GLOBE SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2000 iU' IB 6 D8S By Jeff Sullivan GLOBE CORRESPONDENT hi sheJ Colt is favored in Travers HILARY GEHMAN "It's embarrassing" and is a spare for the Olympic team. In an effort to clear up the situation, Grinko issued a challenge for the squads to face off for the Olympic spot He even offered Gehman's crew a head start of 4 seconds, but the race was never considered by Gehman. "Igor said during the arbitration that he was concerned with the Germans being 9 seconds faster than us, but it's beyond me how this other group would be faster than us," said Gehman. "But as far as we were concerned, we were on the team, it was insulting that they even asked us to race. Why would we interrupt our training? Any four people cant just decide to race us." In the past, the US has never used its Olympic rowers in more than one race, although the practice is allowed.

Unlike the quad, the single and double sculls spots are decided during the trials, where Skricki and Davidon took first in the double sculls and Tranel-Michini won in the single. Based on past practice, that would seemingly have eliminated them from quad consideration. But that was not the case this year. "Igor's priority was to put together the fastest boat for the Olympics," said Skricki. "It's disappointing not racing when the coach thinks we're the best, he was thinking about being the best, and as an athlete we want to win or lose on the water.

We wanted that race-off, and they refused. There's a loss of trust with each other. It's been difficult these few weeks, real tense." trator. The confusion goes back to June 12 and the Zurich Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland, an event considered to have the strongest non-Olympic field of the year. The arbitrator agreed with US Rowing's claim that Grinko had promised Gehman's quad the Olympic spot if it won a medal, or was competitive for a medal, at Lucerne.

The quad finished third, albeit a distant third behind Olympic favorites Germany and Russia. US Rowing figured the showing assured an Olympic spot, but it seems Grinko had other ideas. "Igor gave the quad an ifthen statement, saying if you finished third or in fourth, fighting for third, then you're in, New Zealand detectives reportedly thwarted Sydney terrorist plot A2. and that's what US Rowing believed was the criteria for selection," said US Rowing communications director Brett Johnson. "The arbitration hearing was filed against us, so we were happy with the decision.

The right thing was done." Efforts to reach Grinko through Johnson were unsuccessful. Three of Grinko's choices for the quad were already on the US team, meaning seven of the eight involved in the controversy will be together in Sydney. The rest of Grinko's handpicked foursome was Ruth Davidon, Skricki's partner in double sculls; Olympic single sculler Monica Tranel-Michini; and Elizabeth Smith, who recently graduated from Williams College The scene in San Diego these days is not one of giddy, future Olympic rowers enjoying their final week of training in the homeland. Rather, for two New England rowers and their teammates, it's become more of a soap opera, to the point that several US Olympians can barely stand looking at one another. "It's embarrassing for US Rowing," said Hilary Gehman, a member of the Olympic women's quadruple sculls.

"It's tense still, but at least we can sleep now and we have our appetites back." For Gehman and the other three members of her boat, their personal nightmare relented somewhat Wednesday when an arbitrator ruled in their favor, thus allowing the foursome an opportunity to pursue a medal in Sydney. On Aug. 9, the US Rowing Association submitted the names of Gehman, a native of Wolfeboro, N.H.; Kelly Salchow of Cincinnati; Laurel Korholz of La Jolla, and Jennifer Dore-Terhaar of Kearny, N.J., to the USOC as the women's quad team based on a promise apparently made by US Rowing coach Igor Grinko. Five days later, Grinko named four other rowers, including Norwood's Carol Skricki who had already made the Olympic team in doubles as the quad entry, a right his contract allows. Thus the battle began, with Skricki and her would-be quad teammates filing suit against US Rowing and bringing the issue to the arbi IGOR GRINKO Wants winner to take all Revolution hoping to turn on Crew By Frank Dell'Apa GLOBE STAFF By Ron Indrisano GLOBE STAFF SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.

This has been such a tumultuous season for 3-year-olds that the morning-line favorite for today's 131st running of the Travers at Saratoga, the Midsummer Derby, did not even race in the Triple Crown. Dixie Union, who was an outstanding 2-year-old, chipped a knee during the running of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Gulfstream in November and has only recently returned to form. The injury kept the son of Dixieland Band off the Triple Crown trail, but he demonstrated he was fit when he scored a hard-fought victory in the $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Aug. 6. "We're lucky to have him back the way we hoped," said Richard Mandella, who trains Dixie Union for owners Gerald J.

Ford and Herman Sarkowsky. "He's doing great If a horse doesn't do great here, he never will do great We thought from Day 1 we had an outstanding horse. Hell do whatever you ask him to do, that's the kind of horse he is. He's generous and he has a lot of talent But until you actually do it there are always a lot of questions." Dixie Union actually did it in the Haskell, overcoming trouble to win going away. He usually likes to run from just off the pace, but in the Haskell he made a big late run under Alex Solis, who will ride him in the $1 million Travers.

"I was very impressed with him in the HaskeE," said Mandella. "He had a tough time early, but he made a nice move after getting checked. He showed a lot of courage to dig in. He ran down a leader Captain Steve who didn't back up. That was a good thing.

"I think he wants to have a target to run at He's obviously gifted with a lot of speed. He's both muscular and smart Hell cooperate and do what you ask him to do. He's got enough speed that you can put him anywhere you want With experience, he'll get even better." Having missed the Triple Crown, Dixie Union, who is listed at 5-2 for the Travers, is not widely known. However, he has been worse than second only in the Breeders' Cup, where he finished fifth after hurting the knee, and sports a career record of 10-6-3, with more than $1 million in earnings. He did not race this year until May 7, a day after the Kentucky Derby, winning an allowance at Hollywood.

He finished second in the Bar-rera Stakes and the Affirmed Handicap, before shipping east to dominate the Haskell. "The surgery was all done by the middle of November," said Mandella. "There was a small chance we could have made the Triple Crown, but not a good one. The first excuse we had not to make it we called it off. You always have to worry when you stop on them and work on an ailment You worry whether they'll come back the same.

But I wouldn't have brought him to Monmouth if I didn't think he was right We got those races into him at home, and it was time to see whether he was the real thing or not "He's always been a beautiful colt He's gone from being a boy to a man, and he's intelligent as well He has that look about him. I can't speak for the other 3-year-olds, but I do love my horse. We're looking at the Travers and a lot more down the road." Fusaichi Pegasus won the Kentucky Derby, but has not raced since losing the Preakness to Red Bullet May 20. Red Bullet has since suffered a slight leg fracture and is out for the year. Commendable, who plodded to victory in the Belmont June 10, has run poorly twice since and is a 12-1 long shot for the Travers.

All of which means that if Dixie Union captures the Travers, on the heels of his triumph in the Haskell, he takes the lead in the division. It is difficult to believe that a horse who was an afterthought when the Run for the Roses went to post could stake a claim to the championship. But that's the way it's been for this unpredictable sophomore class. Probable starting lineups for tonight's game (7, ESPN2) at Foxboro Stadium. 1 Mark Dougherty 3 Mike Clark 6 Todd Yeagley 2 Mike Lapper 13 Ansil Elcock 23 Miroslaw Rzepa 14 John Wilmar Perez 4 Mario Gori 9 Dante Washington 20 Brian McBride 11 Jeff Cunningham Coach! Tom Fitzgerald 1 Juergen Sommer 19 Rusty Pierce 29 Mauricio Wright 12 Adam Eyre 8 Imad Baba 6 John Harkes 14 Leonel Alvarez 21 Joey Franchino 5 Ted Chronopoulos 13 Wolde Harris 7 William Sunsing 98.

"You don't get these opportunities all the time and when you do you have to take advantage. "We are starting to play our best soccer as a team. We have our core of players and a pattern of play; we have found a comfort level in the 3-5-2. We have the talent up front to create and score goals, but we have to keep the defense tight and not make it easy for the other team. We have to work as a unit, communicate, and have a warrior attitude.

"It might not be pretty but we have put ourselves in this situation. This is a time in the season where you can expect a tight defensive game and one mistake can make the difference either way. We are at home and we have to be aggressive and try to score goals but we can't be naive, because they have the pace to counterattack effectively. We can't give anything away defensively." Clavyo will stay with the defense-oriented midfield triangle of Leonel Alvarez-Joe Franchino-John Harkes, and Adam Eyre could remain in the lineup after his defensive success in a 2-1 win over Tampa Bay last week. The priority will be to stop the Crew, then bring in Jamar Beasley, Jose Luis Morales, Mauricio Ramos, or Eric Wynalda to provide a late offensive spark.

"I would not call it attacking or defensive soccer," Clavijo said. "I would call it playing smart We played smart in the first half against Tampa Bay and we took chances and attacked in the second half." Wynalda missed practice with the flu but is expected to be available tonight Robert Warzycha (suspension) is out for Columbus. FOXBOROUGH In the first four-plus years of Major League Soccer, the Columbus Crew seemed almost certain to defeat the Revolution when it counted. In fact, New England has earned only 5 of a possible 54 points in 18 encounters when both teams were in playoff contention. Among the most difficult obstacles for the Revolution in those matches were Crew goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Juergen Sommer.

Now, though, the Revolution have a potential advantage as they prepare for tonight's game against the Crew. Friedel's only Foxboro Stadium appearance this year was with the US national team in a 7-0 win over Barbados Aug. 16. And Sommer, the most experienced goalkeeper in the league, is no longer the enemy he will be starting for the Revolution against his former team. This game likely will begin conservatively, neither team willing to take chances with a playoff spot at stake.

Columbus is in seventh place with 38 points and the Revolution are tied with Colorado for the final playoff spot with 36 points and five games remaining. "I haven't paid much attention to how Columbus is doing this year," Sommer said yesterday. "They have always had talented players, but they have not been able to quite put it together as a cohesive unit to win the big games." Columbus has made changes in key positions this season, adding Colombian midfielder John Wilmar Perez, former Polish national team member Miroslaw Rzepa, and former Revolu- JUERGEN SOMMER: Familiar toe tion defender Mario Gori. Goalkeeper Mark Dougherty has also been effective: In the last three seasons, the Crew have earned 13 points in seven games against New England with Dougherty in goal. The Revolution are in the process of establishing an identity as a pragmatic, results-oriented team, with almost no regard for aesthetics or creativity.

This is contrary to the preseason intentions of coach Fernando Clavijo, who has had to adapt to the limitations of his players. The result is a Revolution squad that will scrap and attempt to discourage the opposition, then rely on individual heroics to produce enough offense to make the difference. And when the Revolution shift into offensive gear, they will rely on Sommer to provide se- Coach: Fernando Clavijo Referee: Rich Grady curity. "The guys have to realize that we can have a successful team, a championship team that can beat any team in this league in a one-off game," said Sommer, who played in England from 1991- The Travers line The Travers. Purse: $1 million.

For 3-year-olds. Grade 1. 1 mile and one-quarter. All carrying 126 pounds. Post time: 5:12 p.m.

(ESPN). Moming-line odds: PHRF regatta is the only sailing game in town By Tony Chamberlain GLOBE STAFF PP Hone lackey Trainer Odd 7 Dixie Union Solis Mandella 5-2 2 Curule Smith Suroof 6-1 5 Postponed Prado Schulhofer 8-1 6 Unshaded Sellers Nafzger 7-2 4 Milwaukee Brew Bailey Attard 3-1 8 Impeachment Migliore Pletcher 12-1 3 Commendable Day Lukas 12-1 9 Albert The Great Chavez Zlto 8-1 1 Country Coast St. Julien Amoss 30-1 John Collins believes PHRF is now the only game in town. "There is some IMS in very few places, but basically, PHRF rates most of the competitive boats." Daily awards will be given for first second, and third in each class, with final awards to the top six overall The event is sponsored by Appleton Estate Rum and hosted by Boston and Corinthian yacht clubs. mance expectation and history of each boat Thus, while a class sails together boat-for-boat each crew is actually sailing against the clock, which adjusts the finish according to the handicap.

The structure is much like that used in golf handicaps, using minutes rather than strokes. While no handicapping system is perfect in sailing, chief handicapper this morning. "This is the largest offshore regatta on the East Coast," said John Parsons, governor of PHRF New England, noting that 12 fleets will gather from across New England. "We have boats of all sizes, representing every class." The Performance Handicap Rating Formula provides a way for boats to compete with one another after being given a handicap based on the perfor MARBLEHEAD The usual war horses will be in action this weekend in the PHRF New England Sailing Championships. Rob Doyle, Dave Curtis, Jud Smith, Bob Campbell, Bump Wilcox, and a host of the best racers in the sport will be among the 1,500 sailors on 105 boats DIXIE UNION dominated Haskell and looks strong here.

CURULE went well to be second in Jim Dandy and is threat with repeat try. POSTPONED tired in Jim Dandy but needed the race and will show more today. Boston College lands star in Dorchester's Watson Bruins sign Hulbig to one-year deal I I. A assist guy. With Troy Bell and Jermaine, that's a pretty good Big Eastbackcourt" Numerous schools courted Watson, including Georgia Tech and Miami Watson chose BC for more than its proximity.

"I met with the BC coaches on an unofficial visit and just fell in love," Watson said. "It was a tough decision but I'm happy I'm going to be playing in front of my family and friends." CHRIS FORSBERG recalled to Boston Nov. 11. He had two goals and two assists in 24 games before getting hurt and being sidelined the rest of the year. "We like what Joe can bring to this team with his size," said assistant general manager Mike O'ConnelL "With his injury last season, we didn't really see what he could do for us, so we wanted to bring him back now that he is healthy and give him a solid chance to make this club at training camp." NANCY MARRAPESE-BURRELL Ranked 29th on ESPN.com's top 100 prospects, the 6-foot-3-inch Watson averaged 29.3 points per game his sophomore season at Lincoln-Sudbury.

He transferred to Thayer, repeating his sophomore year, then moved to Tabor. His role has changed from a scorer to more of a passer; last year at Tabor he averaged 19 points and more than six assists per game. "I think hell be the setup guy," Papile said. "His scoring is down with us because he's become a big Boston College may have lost the Zachary Giles sweepstakes, but the Eagles just cashed in on another local talent Boston Amateur Basketball Club standout Jermaine Watson of Dorchester has verbally committed to BC following his senior year at Tabor Academy. "To get a guy this caliber is a big hit for BC," BABC coach Leo Pa-pile said.

"They've been frustrated with local recruiting since the problems with Jonathan DePina, Elton Tyler, and Mike Bradley. Because of a serious groin injury, the Bruins didnt get a chance to see what left wing Joe Hulbig could contribute last year. This season, they're hoping the 6-foot-3-inch, 215-pound Hulbig has better luck staying healthy. The club re-signed Hulbig, who was an unrestricted free agent to a one-year contract The 26-year-old former St Sebastian's and Providence College standout first signed with Boston last July as a free agent He started the year in Providence, the Bruins' top affiliate in the American Hockey League, and was JERMAEVE WATSON Passing specialist.