The Yorkshire pudding that just wouldn't rise: Magnificent men fail to fly in their plunging machines

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


On the rise! The James And The Giant Yorkshire Pudding team see their contraption soar


It's pie in the sky for this team from Yorkshire...but not for long, as they soon took a battering!

The team dubbed James And The Giant Yorkshire Pudding were taking part in the annual Red Bull Flugtag festival, with the madness descending on the city's Roundhay Park.

And judging by these pictures the crowds were treated to a comical spectacle as a number of other wacky aircrafts took immediate plunges into the water.

Held yearly, the event invites competitors to build and attempt to fly their own homemade flying machines, launching their creations from the six metre high platform.



Pud's up: The Yorkshire pudding proves a pleasant treat for its owners


Over 15,000 spectators braved the weekend's showers and were rewarded with laughs galore, with very few of the 34 'aircrafts' managing to soar high above the waters for long.

Toy Story heroes To Infinity and the Pond took first place, ahead of Come on Kes with My Whippy and His Team of Toppings - first off the ramp, finishing in a respectable third place.

However, the crowds did see a real aviation display when the Red Bull Matadors performed a series of loop-the-loops to top off the day's showcase




Leap of faith! Where Weasels Dare takes off, but is soon on the way down



Incoming! The Weasels craft hits the water



Going down! This team plunge almost immediately after launching their craft



Drive safely! Doc Brown's Delorian heads straight for the water



Left behind! Team Super Monkey Flying Banana see their team-mate fly away whilst they're left standing



Top that! Mr Whippy and His Team of Toppings fail to keep their craft in the air for long



Ice-cream float! Unlikely, as Mr Wippy and his Team of Toppings hit the water



I believe I can fly: A team from Trinidad and Tobago get ready to test out their tribal chief-like craft



Wheeling away! This team see the wheels dismantle from their craft after launch



A falling monarch: The Prince of Wales takes an immediate tumble



Falling to pieces: Team Water Drop take the plunge in an instant



Green with envy: The only way is down for team Orville

source: dailymail

Back to the day job: Tom Daley puts on a Shanghai spectacular in breathtaking display with diving partner

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Bombs away! Pete Waterfield and Tom Daley are competing in Shanghai

These spectacular pictures of diving ace Tom Daley come from the world championships in Shanghai, where Tom and his partner have just qualified for the synchronised diving final.

They were taken against the backdrop of the city's harbours, and show the skills and fitness needed for Tom and Pete Waterfield to progress past the first round of the FINA World Championships.

But it nearly didn't happen, after 30-year-old Waterfield fell ill with flu-like symptoms on arriving in Shanghai.



Tense: Waterfield and Daley prepare to dive in the first round of the World Championships



Launching: The pair made it into the final of the 10m synchronised diving


However, at the last minute he was passed fit and was able to join Tom, 17, who was the individual winner at the last world championships in 2009.

The pair have been diving together since the beginning of the year, in an attempt by diving bosses to find the best pairing for the synchronised dives in time for the London Olympics.


The pair have been put together in preparation for the London Olympics



Tumbling: Tom will be hoping to replicate his success at the last World Championships



Competition: This is Tom's first contest since his father died


The current competition is Tom's first major event since the loss of his father, Rob, who died of cancer in May, aged 40.

Last week Tom paid tribute to his father's influence, saying: 'Without my dad I wouldn't have come as far as I have.



Teamwork: But the pair were nearly broken up when Waterfield fell ill



Splash! The divers were watched by a largely hostile Chinese crowd


'It's not been easy, but I'm just trying to focus all my attention on the upcoming world championships as this is what dad would have wanted.'

He is expected to be one of the major faces of next year's Olympics, and has recently signed up to front an ad campaign from Nestle.



Training: Tom is expected to be one of the stars of the 2012 Games

source: dailymail

Back to the day job: Tom Daley puts on a Shanghai spectacular in breathtaking display with diving partner

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Bombs away! Pete Waterfield and Tom Daley are competing in Shanghai

These spectacular pictures of diving ace Tom Daley come from the world championships in Shanghai, where Tom and his partner have just qualified for the synchronised diving final.

They were taken against the backdrop of the city's harbours, and show the skills and fitness needed for Tom and Pete Waterfield to progress past the first round of the FINA World Championships.

But it nearly didn't happen, after 30-year-old Waterfield fell ill with flu-like symptoms on arriving in Shanghai.



Tense: Waterfield and Daley prepare to dive in the first round of the World Championships



Launching: The pair made it into the final of the 10m synchronised diving


However, at the last minute he was passed fit and was able to join Tom, 17, who was the individual winner at the last world championships in 2009.

The pair have been diving together since the beginning of the year, in an attempt by diving bosses to find the best pairing for the synchronised dives in time for the London Olympics.


The pair have been put together in preparation for the London Olympics



Tumbling: Tom will be hoping to replicate his success at the last World Championships



Competition: This is Tom's first contest since his father died


The current competition is Tom's first major event since the loss of his father, Rob, who died of cancer in May, aged 40.

Last week Tom paid tribute to his father's influence, saying: 'Without my dad I wouldn't have come as far as I have.



Teamwork: But the pair were nearly broken up when Waterfield fell ill



Splash! The divers were watched by a largely hostile Chinese crowd


'It's not been easy, but I'm just trying to focus all my attention on the upcoming world championships as this is what dad would have wanted.'

He is expected to be one of the major faces of next year's Olympics, and has recently signed up to front an ad campaign from Nestle.



Training: Tom is expected to be one of the stars of the 2012 Games

source: dailymail

MotoGP Italia Tampil Impresif, Lorenzo Juara di Mugello

Jorge Lorenzo tampil luar biasa untuk merebut kemenangan keduanya musim ini di MotoGP Italia, Minggu 3 Juli 2011. Lorenzo mengungguli dua rider Repsol Honda, Andrea Dovizioso dan Casey Stoner.

Start dari posisi lima, Lorenzo berhasil menyodok ke posisi dua di awal balapan mengungguli Dovizioso. Sedangkan Stoner berhasil mempertahankan posisi pertamanya.

Rider Yamaha itu kemudian harus bersaing ketat dengan Dovizioso dalam perebutan posisi kedua. Sementara Stoner semakin nyaman berada di depan dengan keunggulan hingga tiga detik.

Lap kesembilan persaingan Lorenzo dengan Dovizioso semakin menarik. Di lap itu kedua rider beberapa kali bertukar posisi, meski akhirnya Dovizioso sukses merebut posisi kedua.

Titik balik kebangkitan Lorenzo terjadi di lap ke-11. Sebuah manuver cantik dari sisi kiri membuat rider asal Spanyol tersebut berhasil melewati Dovizioso. Perlahan tapi pasti, Lorenzo mulai mendekati Stoner, yang terkesan terlalu santai berada di depan.

Lorenzo akhirnya mendapat momentum saat balapan menyisakan enam lap. Di tikungan yang sama seperti saat menyalip Dovizioso, Lorenzo sukses melewati Stoner juga dari sisi dalam.

Lorenzo berhasil mempertahankan posisi terdepan hingga lap ke-23 dan merebut kemenangan keduanya musim ini. Posisi kedua akhirnya direbut Dovizioso yang sukses menyalip Stoner di lap terakhir. Ben Spies melengkapi sukses Yamaha dengan finis di posisi empat, di depan Marco Simoncelli (Honda Gresini).

Meski finis di posisi keenam, penampilan Valentino Rossi terbilang impresif. Pasalnya, rider Ducati itu harus memulai balapan dari posisi ke-12. Rossi tetap mendapat sambutan luar biasa dari fansnya meski hanya finis di posisi enam.

Ini adalah kemenangan kedua Lorenzo musim ini setelah sebelumnya juara di MotoGP Spanyol. Kemenangan ini membuat juara dunia MotoGP 2010 ini semakin menempel ketat Stoner di puncak klasemen. Lorenzo berada di posisi kedua dengan 133 poin, kalah 19 poin dari Stoner.

Tanpa Burgess, Rossi Tetap Optimistis

 

MUGELLO - Valentino Rossi tidak menampik dirinya akan sedikit kesulitan mempersiapkan balapan di MotoGP Mugello, menyusul absennya Jeremy Burgess, kepala mesin Ducati. Meski demikian, The Doctor tak kehilangan kepercayaan diri untuk bisa memberikan penampilan terbaik di rumah sendiri.

Ya, pada seri kandang di Mugello, akhir pekan nanti, Rossi memang tidak akan didampingi juru mesin andalannya, Burgess yang meminta izin karena urusan penting. Tanpa kehadiran Burgess, Rossi pun diprediksi bakal kesulitan mengembangkan GP11.1 yang masih dalam tahap pengembangan. Tapi, Rossi menegaskan dirinya akan berusaha menutupi ketidakhadiran Burgess, dan membantu tim meningkatkan performa motor.

“Burgess tidak bersama kami, akhir pekan ini karena urusan pribadi yang sangat penting. Kami, seluruh awak di garasi akan sangat merindukannya, tapi, kami tak sabar untuk kembali bekerja sama dengannya di Sachsenring (GP Jerman),” tutur Rossi mengomentari absennya Burgess sebagaimana dikutip Paddocktalk, Jumat (1/7/2011).

“Di saat bersamaan, kami harus mencoba melakukan yang terbaik di Mugello. Kami pernah menjajal sirkuit ini dengan paket GP12 (1000cc), tapi, karena motor yang akan kami gunakan nanti masih 800, maka responnya akan sedikit berbeda. Terlebih, saat ini kami masih dalam tahap awal pengembangan (GP11.1),” sambungnya.

Terlepas dari kesulitan yang dialaminya, Rossi masih optimistis bisa meraih hasil apik mengingat sirkuit Mugello sudah sangat dikuasainya. Menurutnya, kunci untuk bisa sukses di Mugello nanti adalah mendapatkan set-up terbaik sejak awal (mulai sesi latihan hingga balapan).

“Merupakan hal yang vital untuk segera menemukan setinggan yang tepat, kami harus terus mengalami peningkatan di setiap sesi untuk bisa mendapatkan hasil yang bagus,” sambungnya.

“Trek (Mugello) meruapakan salah satu favorit saya, dan saya selalu tampil cukup bagus di sini. Mengingat kecelakaan yang saya alami di sini tahun lalu, itu tidak masalah, karena saya sudah kembali ke sana dan menikmatinya saat uji coba motor beberapa waktu lalu,” imbuhnya menegaskan dirinya sudah melupakan kecelakaan tersebut.

Terakhir, Rossi juga meminta dukungan publik tuan rumah agar bisa menambah motivasinya untuk merebut podium keduanya di musim ini, atau bahkan kemenangan.

“Saya berharap akan ada kemeriahan (dari fans) dan saya akan berusaha lebih baik dari yang telah saya tampilkan hingga kini. Ini adalah balapan penting,” pungkas juara dunia sembilan kali berusia 33 tahun.

Sejak memutuskan meninggalkan Yamaha dan bergabung dengan Ducati pada akhir musim lalu, The Doctor diketahui masih kesulitan menjinakkan Desmosedici. Alhasil, dari tujuh balapan yang telah dijalani, Rossi masih tercecer di urutan empat klasemen sementara dengan koleksi 81 poin atau terpaut 55 angka dari pimpinan klasemen saat ini, Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda), pembalap yang digantikannya di Ducati.

Pedrosa Masih Simpan Amarah pada Super Sic

 

MUGELLO – Dani Pedrosa sudah kembali ke tunggangannya, bahkan sudah ikut sesi latihan perdana jelang seri Mugello sore ini. Meski begitu, ternyata Pedrosa masih menyimpan dendam terhadap Marco Simoncelli yang membuatnya cedera.

Pedrito, begitu sapaan Pedrosa, ternyata masih murka terhadap Super Sic, julukan Simoncelli yang menyebabkan cedera tulang selangka. Akibatnya, Pedrito harus menjalani dua kali operasi dan melewatkan tiga seri MotoGP.

Pedrito juga masih marah, karena Super Sic hanya dapat peringatan. Hal itu sungguh tak dipercaya Pedrosa yang sempat meminta Super Sic diberi sanksi yang lebih tegas dari sekedar peringatan.

“Jika seseorang masih meragukan (gaya membalap Simoncelli yang membahayakan) itu sungguh tak dapat dipercaya. Jelas-jelas terlihat gaya membalapnya yang membahayakan orang lain di trek,” cetus Pedrito sebagaimana disitat Crash.net, Jumat (1/7/2011).

“Di Estoril, dia tertawa saaat mendengar bahwa bisa saja seseorang akan menahannya karena gawa membalapnya. Mungkin dia butuh lelucon, karena kepalanya tak lain hanya berisi rambut,” lanjut pembalap kelahiran Sabadell ini.

“Saya telah protes dan berusaha menjelaskan insiden yang membahayakan tersebut, kira-kira lima kali – melalui blog saya, press release, sejumlah wawancara. Seberapa sering lagi saya harus menjelaskan?,” pungkas Pedrito.

Stoner Start Terdepan Di Mugello

 

MUGELLO – Setelah mencatatkan waktu terbaik dalam sesi latihan terakhir di GP Italia, Jorge Lorenzo harus puas menggeber motornya dari tempat kelima dalam balapan di sirkuit  Mugello. Sebab, Casey Stoner tampil menjadi yang tercepat sesi kualifikasi.

Awalnnya, dalam fase ini, cuaca sedikit bersahabat hingga para pembalap mampu memaksimalkan tunggangannya dengan baik. Ban slick yang dipakai para kontestan membuat mereka tidak menemui hambatan untuk menorehkan waktu terbaik.

Stoner yang berambisi merup poin penuh di Mugello tampil impressif dengan catatan waktu 1m48,034. Namun sukses Stoner ini meraih pole position tidak terlepas dari keberuntungan lantaran faktor cuaca yang tiba-tiba berubah cepat dalam sesi kualifikasi.

Gerimis yang terjadi dalam sesi kualifikasi membuat para pembalap lain seakan kesulitan menemukan potensi motornya. Dengan kondisi trek yang basah dalam lima menit terakhir membuat rider lainnya terpaksa memasuki pit.

Kendati hujan rintik-rintik mewarnai jalannya sesi kualifikasi, tim Yamaha Factory Racing Team boleh menaruh asa mereka bisa kembali mencatatkan hasil sempurna setelah Ben Spies mengawali balapan di tempat kedua. Sedangkan tempat ketiga diikuti Marco Simoncelli yang menorehhkan waktu 1m.48,451.

Lantas bagaimana dengan Dani Pedrosa yang baru turun kembali ke lintasan? Pembalap Repsol Honda Racing Team itu harus puas mengawali start di posisi delapan. Sementara nasib sial menimpa jagoan penggila MotoGP, Valentino Rossi yang akan memulai balapan di sirkuit favoritnya di posisi 12.

Hasil Sesi Kualifikasi GP Italia
1 Casey Stoner 1:48.034
2 Ben Spies +00.445
3 Marco Simoncelli +00.451
4 Andrea Dovizioso +00.660
5 Jorge Lorenzo +00.722
6 Colin Edwards +00.940
7 Cal Crutchlow +00.987
8 Dani Pedrosa +01.364
9 Nicky Hayden +01.475
10 Hector Barbera +01.629
11 Karel Abraham +01.644
12 Valentino Rossi +01.868
13 Hiroshi Aoyama +02.122
14 Alvaro Bautista +02.426
15 Randy de Puniet +02.617
16 Toni Elias +02.708

Roger Federer crashes out of Wimbledon in the quarter finals as tournament of upsets continues

By DEBORAH ARTHURS

Out and down: Roger Federer slumps in his chair after his surprise exit at the hands of Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


There was shock for a second day running at Wimbledon as Switzerland's Roger Federer crashed out of the tournament in the quarter finals.

The world number three was beaten in an unexpected defeat by French hope Jo-Wilifried Tsonga, who battled the six-times Wimbledon champion in a five set marathon.

It means Andy Murray now has one less challenge to overcome as he aims to win his first Wimbledon title, having breezed past Feliciano Lopez in straight sets in imperious form.

Tsonga's reward for beating Federer is a semi against Novak Djokovic. Murray's victory means he will now face another Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, who made it through to the semi-final by seeing off the challenge of Mardy Fish.


Win: Left, Tsonga celebrates his unexpected victory over six times Wimbledon champion Federer while, right, the Swiss maestro's wife Mirka can't quite believe her eyes


Federer's defeat came after the Swiss had established a strong two-set lead where it seemed he had the game in his stylish white bag.

But in an amazing comeback that stunned the crowd, Tsonga snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by beating Federer three sets to two, winning six games to four in the final set.

A delighted Tsonga performed a victory dance as Roger quietly walked from the court he has come to call his own over the past eight years.

After his match Murray said he was surprised at Federer's exit but that Tsonga had simply played too well for even the Swiss legend to cope.


In reverse: Perennial underachiever Tsonga, left, consoles one of the greatest players in history after his shock victory over Federer


A pat on the back: Federer has the class to acknowledge Tsonga on a job well done


'I don't think Roger played a bad match,' said Murray.

Sometimes other guys just play too good.'

Confident Federer fans looked jubilant as Federer easily took the first two sets.

But their smiles faded as he lost the third set and it became clear he could not push back against Tsonga's unwavering energy.


'I could get used to this': Tsonga is mobbed by fans clamouring for an autograph as he leaves the court after his shock victory


It's all a bit of a blur: Federer can't find an answer to Tsonga's onslaught as he prowls the baseline


Court appearance: Anna Wintour is jubilant early on in Federer's match, while right, Chelsy Davy looks tense in the face of reports today that on-off boyfriend Prince Harry has a new girlfriend, Florence Brudenell-Bruce


Fans: Pippa Middleton is flanked by mother Carole and boyfriend Alex Loudon as they watch Federer play

source: dailymail

Roger Federer crashes out of Wimbledon in the quarter finals as tournament of upsets continues

By DEBORAH ARTHURS

Out and down: Roger Federer slumps in his chair after his surprise exit at the hands of Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


There was shock for a second day running at Wimbledon as Switzerland's Roger Federer crashed out of the tournament in the quarter finals.

The world number three was beaten in an unexpected defeat by French hope Jo-Wilifried Tsonga, who battled the six-times Wimbledon champion in a five set marathon.

It means Andy Murray now has one less challenge to overcome as he aims to win his first Wimbledon title, having breezed past Feliciano Lopez in straight sets in imperious form.

Tsonga's reward for beating Federer is a semi against Novak Djokovic. Murray's victory means he will now face another Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, who made it through to the semi-final by seeing off the challenge of Mardy Fish.


Win: Left, Tsonga celebrates his unexpected victory over six times Wimbledon champion Federer while, right, the Swiss maestro's wife Mirka can't quite believe her eyes


Federer's defeat came after the Swiss had established a strong two-set lead where it seemed he had the game in his stylish white bag.

But in an amazing comeback that stunned the crowd, Tsonga snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by beating Federer three sets to two, winning six games to four in the final set.

A delighted Tsonga performed a victory dance as Roger quietly walked from the court he has come to call his own over the past eight years.

After his match Murray said he was surprised at Federer's exit but that Tsonga had simply played too well for even the Swiss legend to cope.


In reverse: Perennial underachiever Tsonga, left, consoles one of the greatest players in history after his shock victory over Federer


A pat on the back: Federer has the class to acknowledge Tsonga on a job well done


'I don't think Roger played a bad match,' said Murray.

Sometimes other guys just play too good.'

Confident Federer fans looked jubilant as Federer easily took the first two sets.

But their smiles faded as he lost the third set and it became clear he could not push back against Tsonga's unwavering energy.


'I could get used to this': Tsonga is mobbed by fans clamouring for an autograph as he leaves the court after his shock victory


It's all a bit of a blur: Federer can't find an answer to Tsonga's onslaught as he prowls the baseline


Court appearance: Anna Wintour is jubilant early on in Federer's match, while right, Chelsy Davy looks tense in the face of reports today that on-off boyfriend Prince Harry has a new girlfriend, Florence Brudenell-Bruce


Fans: Pippa Middleton is flanked by mother Carole and boyfriend Alex Loudon as they watch Federer play

source: dailymail