Canada stage triumphant Olympics; Castrol rank top drivers; Lotus unveils electric supercar.
Snowboarder catches 'big air' Image:Subactive Photo |
Little lubrication was required in Vancouver as competitors slid, skated and skiied their way through the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The host nation Canada set a new Winter Olympics record, taking 14 gold medals. This included one at the very final event - a thrilling clash in the Men's Ice Hockey between Canada and the USA. Canada won the extended match 3-2 after the USA equalised with seconds to go in normal time.
New sports were introduced including Snowboard and Ski Cross, short exciting races over jumps and turns which gained a global audience.
History was also made in the Snowboarding Halfpipe, when the USA's Shaun White pulled off a Double McTwist 1260 jump, the first ever seen in competition. There was drama and tragedy even before the games officially opened, with the death of Georgian luge competitor Nodar Kumaritashvili while practicing at the Vancouver sliding centre. The track, where the luge, bobsleigh and skeleton bob events were held was described as the fastest in the world and was shortened for some of the events during the competition.
Castrol continue to increase their sporting connections turning back to motorsport from football with the announcement of the new Castrol Rankings. Like the Castrol Index of Europe's top footballers, The Castrol Driver Rankings grades the worlds leading drivers across all the major four-wheel disciplines. With the rally season already underway, Sebastian Loeb is climbing the leaderboard which is currently led by F1 Champion Jenson Button.
Lotus Evora Image:Lotus |
Electric cars took on a whole new perspective when Lotus unveiled its new Lotus Evora hybrid concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. Producing 408bhp from two electric motors and accelerating to 60mph (96.5kph) in under 3 seconds, the Evora includes a 'virtual, paddle-change gearbox' giving the feel of seven gears (although it is actually single speed). It has a bioethanol/petrol 47bhp engine which charges the batteries after 35 miles (56km extending the car's range to 300 miles (482km). In reality silent, the concept car is given an audio system which reproduces sounds from high-performance engines. The sound is also broadcast externally via speakers for pedestrian safety. Eight cars are being auctioned for fashion model Naomi Campbell's Haiti Appeal, the first one already raising £320,000 ($478,000).