The Sports Archives – An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Skiing!

Posted on May 27, 2014 by thesportsarchives

Downhill skiing is a sport that provides people of nearly all ages a great source of pleasure and excitement. For many, there is something special about downhill skiing. For those who would like to learn how to ski, here is a brief guide that will highlight various necessities in skiing downhill.

Ski Gear

Having the right ski gear and clothing will make hitting the slopes much easier. Purchasing skis is a great way to go since it can easily be maintained, and the material does not have the wear and tear that can prevent a skier from having a terrific experience out of the slopes. A boot must have a snug fit, but not a tight fit. After all, the boots are designed to absorb a lot of pressure, as an individual is making various twists and turns. Brackets attach the boots to the skis. A ski store can do this type of work. Ski poles are next. Make sure the handle of the pole comes up a few inches above the elbow. One of the challenges concerning ski gear is transporting it to a ski resort, mountain or slope. A great way to overcome this problem is to ship skis to the destination. There are many companies that specializes in this type of work.

Apparel

Once the gear has been chosen, it is time to carefully consider what apparel to have when on the slopes. A warm hat is one of the first items that needs to be addressed. Look for a hat that is designed to keep a head warm, but can keep it cool when an individual is sweating profusely. In addition to this, consider the type of gloves that will be worn. Gloves need to keep the hands warm, and this is especially vital to have when temperatures can dip below zero. Although some overlook eye gear, this can be very important. Eye gear, which some refer to as goggles, allows a skier to be able to identify small and large changes in the hill that may not be easy to see by the naked eye. Eye gear is especially beneficial when it is snowing or windy. A ski jacket is very important. Look for one that is waterproof and is made to endure cold temperatures. Ski pants are always appropriate, but not vital on the slopes. Many Internet stores feature apparel and gear useful for this type of activity.

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The Sports Archives – The Origin of Football (Soccer)!

Posted on May 23, 2014 by thesportsarchives

England playing Scotland in a representative match in 1872 at The OvalFootball, or Soccer as we say in America, is the world’s most popular sport.  The game, which originated as a folk custom in eleventh century England, has evolved steadily and now transforms the entire globe into a battle for bragging rights every four years during the venerable World Cup Tournament.

Legend has it (and from a few football historians) that between 1018 and 1042 after the Danish invasion of England, workers discovered the head of a Danish soldier to which they began to ‘kick’ around.  Thus, the game of ‘Kick the Dane’s head’ was started and later on, the ‘head’ was substituted with an inflated cow’s bladder.

Early football games resembled riots as two opposing villages would attempt to kick the ball into the center of the rival village.  A picture of rugby without the use of hands comes to mind with mobs of villagers pushing the ball through.  The game became more refined in the twelfth century and was played on vacant lots where rules were eventually drawn up.

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The Sports Archives – Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Top 5 Ballparks in the US!

Posted on May 20, 2014 by thesportsarchives

Baseball is America’s favorite pastime for good reason. There’s nothing more iconic than catching a game during the summer and watching your favorite players take the field while eating hot dogs and drinking lemonade. However, some stadiums are more iconic than others, here are the top five that you need to visit.

Yankee Stadium in New York City

Yankee StadiumYankee Stadium is iconic, even given its evolutions. The Yankees are simultaneously one of the most loved and hated teams in the league, and they’ve earned both of those reputations. Even the new stadium has elements of history, and fans have seen both their dreams come true and their worst nightmares realized.

Fenway Park in Boston, MA

Fenway ParkFenway’s Red Sox play a dramatic part in the love of and loathing toward the Yankees. The rivalry between the two, dating back to the Babe, keeps fans going. In addition to being the oldest park in the country, Fenway is home to all sorts of traditions. Boston is one of the best places to live if you love all things baseball, and the team attracts the kind of support that brings fans together.

From the Green Monster (an icon in its own right) to Pesky’s Pole (responsible for both miraculous and tragic home runs) to the red paint denoting the spot where Ted Williams hit the longest home run ever smashed at the park, the stadium is full of baseball history. You won’t forget what it’s like to sing “Sweet Caroline,” with an entire stadium, either.

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The Sports Archives – The Benefits of Playing Sports!

Posted on May 17, 2014 by thesportsarchives

It Pays To Play!

We all like the fun and competition of participating in and following our favorite sports.  But aside from the amount of enjoyment we get; there are many more benefits that can be reaped from playing sports in our youth and continuing on as we get older.  The following is a  quick list of the benefits of playing sports followed by a more in-depth infographic.

Enjoy reading, playing and staying thirsty!

Some Benefits of Playing Sports:

  • Lowered Risk of Heart Disease and Breast Cancer
  • Stress Relief
  • New Friendships
  • Stronger Muscles
  • Higher Mental Awareness
  • Working As A Team
  • Self-Discipline
  • Self Respect and Higher Self Esteem
  • Better Overall Fitness

Related Blogs:
Getting Fit by Playing Indoor Football (Soccer)!
Why Playing Table Tennis is One of the Best Things You Can Do!
The Benefits Of Soccer Camp For Kids!

Sports Benefits InfographicSource:  sports-management-degrees.com

 

 

 

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The Sports Archives – Three of the Most Financially Responsible Professional Athletes !

Posted on May 8, 2014 by thesportsarchives

If it bleeds, it leads. That’s the tenet of many media organizations when deciding which stories to report on first. Our society focuses on the negative; international conflicts, murderers, serious crimes, famous people making huge mistakes, the list goes on. Rarely do we read or hear about a story that makes us feel happy about life and about the good things people do for others. It’s the same way with sports. You’d be much more likely to hear about Kobe Bryant’s adultery case than you’d hear about the children’s hospital Peyton Manning funded himself. It’s just the way it goes. When it comes to athletes and their personal finances, we tend to focus so much attention on the athletes that blow their entire paychecks in nightclubs, make egregious purchases on impulse, or go into major debt and fail to recover after poor investments. Let’s look on the brighter side of this and focus more on the athletes who have been intelligent in regards to their spending and investment habits.

In 2009, Sports Illustrated estimated that 60% of NBA players go broke within five years of retirement and 78% of NFL players go broke within two years. How can these players go broke so quickly after making millions upon millions of dollars? Many do, the smart ones don’t.

Magic Johnson

In 2003, Johnson met with Nancy Pelosi to discuss federal assistance for those with AIDS.The model of financially efficacious athletes, Magic Johnson’s net worth is over $500 million. He owns a movie studio company, owned then sold a chain of Starbucks, and owned then sold a percentage of the Los Angeles Lakers, gaining him around $50 million alone.

In 2012 Johnson (and others) purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2 billion. Recently Magic has considered purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers as well.

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The Sports Archives – How To Take Your Skiing To The Next Level!

Posted on May 6, 2014 by thesportsarchives

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they plateau at something…whether this is their job or a hobby they enjoy, such as playing an instrument or perhaps a sport such as football. In this case, however, you might have plateaued at skiing. Unless you are a ski instructor and ski throughout the year, following the snow around the world; you are unlikely to be able to avoid this plateau.

SkiingIt’s not your fault; it happens to the best of us. As humans, to progress we always need the extra push and challenge to get the best out of us. However, after going on skiing holiday after skiing holiday, year on year, skiing just becomes a natural activity. Most people, having got to an intermediate level, happily settle for the blue and red runs.

Those who do try anything steeper tend to quickly lose faith in their ability, as soon as the black run throws up anything slightly more challenging than they are used to. This is a real shame especially if you are normally a confident skier. If skiing is something you love, you should try to raise your game and keep improving each time you go away.

How to raise your skiing game:

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The Sports Archives – A Moto GP Holiday In The Czech Republic!

Posted on May 1, 2014 by thesportsarchives

If you’re a Moto GP fan and a regular visitor to the UK round of this spectacular series, you should definitely consider travelling further afield to catch some quality racing at a European track. There’s a whole host of great racing to be seen across the continent, from sunny Barcelona to colourful San Marino. If you’re looking for a motor sport themed holiday with a difference though, why not head to Brno, for the Czech Grand Prix?

The Track

The Brno track was built in the 1980s to attract Formula 1 to then Czechoslovakia. It’s a popular and technical track that features some demanding corners and constantly changing elevations as it twists its way through the forested hillsides. The track is just over 5KM long and features 14 corners. Its position in a natural bowl means it’s a spectacular place for spectators.

Masaryk Circuit, Brno

The GP takes place in early August, so the riders are well rested after the short summer break, and everyone is raring to go by the time they reach Brno. This track is rated as one of the best in the schedule, and is loved by fans and riders alike.

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The Sports Archives – Getting Into Motorcycle Racing!

Posted on April 29, 2014 by thesportsarchives

It’s the childhood dream of many young boys to get into motorcycle racing. Being a motorcycle racer is a very demanding and dangerous profession, taking years of work to enter even the most basic of levels competitively. However, motorcycle racing has become increasingly affordable in recent years, which has lessened the gap for individuals that do now have a whole lot of money to invest into their goals. When choosing a path to being a motorcycle racer, it is important that you understand that there are many disciplines, and niches within the industry. Do you want to race modern motorcycles? Or perhaps vintage motorcycles? Do you have experience packing your saddlebags and touring long distances, but are looking for a more action packed experience? Are you looking to get into a specific league or organization? All of these questions need to be answered before you can confidently say that you have a plan and goals put into motion. Take some of the following steps into account as you first begin to get into motorcycle racing:

Motorcycle Racing

 Understand the Types

 There are many different types of motorcycle racing available to those that are interested, but it is of the utmost importance that you have an understanding of the different styles so that you can choose a style that suits you. Motocross for example, allows users to compete with machines between 50cc and 450cc. additionally, they have riders that range greatly in age, from children all the way up to 50-somethings. Motocross is by far the most popular form of motorcycle racing in the United States and is run over natural and man-made courses, typically off-road and in dirt.

Join the AMA

This is the first step for anyone that is seriously considering getting into motorcycle racing as more than just a weekend hobby. A large number of events are AMA sanctioned, and you need to be a member of the organization in order to join these events. They provide a rule set that all events must adhere to for consistent motorcycle safety considerations. In the end, the organization is able to make the events much safer for the participants. Additionally, because the rules are more consistent, the rules are fairer as well.

Motocross

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The Sports Archives – The Need For Speed!

Posted on April 24, 2014 by thesportsarchives

Lone SkierI still have clear memories of the first time I ever put on a pair of skis. I was on a very shallow nursery slope with an instructor on hand to help me and I still felt totally out of control and vulnerable. Just gently sliding down that small incline was pretty terrifying and that was nothing to what it felt like when I tried a proper run for the first time. Don’t get me wrong I like speed. I love roller coasters and racing cars but they have brakes! Skis and snowboards do not and yet are capable of propelling you at immense speeds so it is hard to imagine the need for more acceleration but for some people gravity just isn’t enough!

Jet Power

Snow boarder Jamie Barrow has used jet thrusters to break a world record for snowboarding on level ground. He reached the record 80.6 kph with the device in St Moritz and it doesn’t have to be used solely on the flat. Barrow was contacted by Adam Contoret from Staffordshire based company DreamScience. He had invented the thruster after becoming dissatisfied with the engine he had to strap to his back when paramotoring (powered paragliding)

The Technology

The new hand-held device was made possible by advances in lithium polymer battery technology. The fan blades can turn at the rate of 30,000 rpm on the hand-held device which can have either a thumb or bite controlled throttle. The electric jet engine can also be used by skiers and windsurfers and could even propel them uphill. Using the thruster is apparently like traversing a runway in an aeroplane. At first you seem to be building up speed quite slowly and then you find you are really moving like a rocket.

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The Sports Archives – The Beginner’s Guide To A Hobby In Motorsport

Posted on April 17, 2014 by thesportsarchives

2010 Malaysian GP opening lap If you’ve ever watched a Formula 1 race and wondered what it would be like to drive competitively, you’re not alone. Many people think that taking up a hobby in a motor sport is prohibitively expensive and out of the realms of reality for the regular hobbyist. Whilst you’re not going to achieve the outright speed of a Formula 1 racer, it’s definitely possible to race your own car competitively each weekend for only a modest outlay.

How Do I Start?

Firstly, you need to know what flavours of motor racing are on offer. The two obvious choices are hill climbs and sprints. Both are timed affairs where you race your own car against the clock. Sprints feature circuit racing on a disused airfield or “proper” race track, and hill climbs will typically be done on a closed public road that winds to the top of a hill.

Why Choose These Events?

If you’re new to competitive racing, you’ll probably only have a limited budget. These two disciplines allow you to compete in your own car, and because each competitor races against the clock, there is only ever a single vehicle on the track at any one time. This has the huge advantage that you won’t crash into other drivers!

By racing against the clock, you’re actually only competing with your last time, rather than against the other drivers, so the overall experience is much more friendly and less pressured. It also means that it makes little difference what car you bring, and many drivers choose to race in their daily vehicle!

Once you get the bug for this type of racing, you can enter more specialist, powerful machinery in a bid to complete the run faster.

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