A roundup of the sports information of the week
SKIING—On slippery slopes near Kitzb√ºhel, Austria, the best men and women skiers in the world competed in the annual Hahnenkamm races, an international meet which this year served as a preview for next month's Olympics at Squaw Valley. The first day's event, the giant slalom, was won by Austria's Karl Schranz (see "Faces") and Therese Leduc of France. Miss Leduc swept down the course in 1:37.7, better than three seconds faster than America's Penny Pitou, who tied for fourth. Several Americans complained about the slick condition of the slopes. Said Penny: "I slipped sideways at several gates. We are not used to this snow yet. Back in the United States we had been training on soft and slower snow." The showing by the American men was dismal: none finished in the top 30.
The next day, in the downhill, the United States almost had a winner. Penny Pitou had finished her run in 1:57.1 and had even been declared the unofficial winner when an unknown Austrian girl, Traudl Hecher, came through with a record 1:55.9 run. "I had very fast skis," said Traudl. The men's division was won by a Frenchman, Adrien Duvillard, and the American men did even worse than on the preceding day: none finished in the top 40.
On the final day, in the slalom, Penny Pitou got her win, sharing a first-place tie with her teammate Linda Meyers. The Frenchman, Adrien Duvillard, won for the second straight day. Once again, no U.S. man finished in the top 30.
HORSE RACING—The New York State Racing Commission announced the statistic of the week: 1959 tax revenue from Thoroughbred racing in the state (at 10% of all mutuel betting) came to a record $51 million.
BOXING—Archie Moore, light heavyweight champion, cornered Ingemar Johansson, heavyweight champion, at the New York Boxing Writers' Association dinner. "You and I could put on the most colorful fight ever," Archie told Ingo. He predicted that the fight would draw a $4 million gate plus $15 million more through closed-circuit television. Johansson smiled. "That's a lot of money," he said. "I'd like that. But I'm going to fight Floyd Patterson first." Archie nodded. "Yes, I know," he said. "But if anything happens and you should need a substitute, I am ready."
BASEBALL—After 12 years with the Philadelphia Phillies, during which time he won two batting titles, made 2,217 hits and helped the team to its only pennant (1950) in 45 years, Richie Ashburn was traded to the Chicago Cubs. "I had hurt feelings at first," said Ashburn, "but I guess it's for the best. Twelve years is a long time in one place. I guess I am ready for a change." In return for Ashburn the Phillies got Alvin Dark, himself a veteran of 12 years and three World Series, and two young players. For Dark, being traded was nothing new. Philadelphia will be his fifth National League home.
FISHING—The International Tuna Cup Match at Wedgeport, N.S. was canceled for the second successive year, since only eight tuna were boated last season (compared to 1,700 in 1949) in Soldier's Rip off Wedgeport, once considered one of the world's great fishing holes.