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The Week Ahead
SATURDAY 8/27
World Bodysurfing Championships
It can be a rough sport, pilgrim: In 1926 Marion Morrison, a tackle on the USC football team, tore ligaments in his shoulder while bodysurfing, ending his athletic career. So Morrison took up acting and became John Wayne. More than 250 latter-day tough guys (and gals) are entered in this two-day event in San Diego, including 68-year-old former Redskins and Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard.
SUNDAY 8/28
U.S. Amateur
The short list of contenders for the top amateur golf title includes a List who's not so short off the tee: Luke List (right), the Vanderbilt junior who in April topped the Masters field in average driving distance (305.9 yards). In the 36-hole championship matchup at last year's Amateur, List led Ryan Moore 2 up after 32 holes before Moore came back to win the final four holes and the title. This year's tournament is at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. NBC 4 p.m.
Little League World Series Championship Game
O.K., Tom Hanks was wrong--there is crying in baseball. Exhibit A: the Little League championship game between the U.S. winners and the top international squad in Williamsport, Pa. Hardly a year goes by when the 11- and 12-year-olds from the losing team don't wind up in tears. Lately, the Americans have been the ones doing the blubbering: They've won just two of the last 11 titles. ABC 3:30 p.m.
MONDAY 8/29
U.S. Open
What will Serena wear? What polysyllabic underdog (such as Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan) will pull an upset? Can anyone knock off the can't-miss Swiss, Roger Federer? These and other questions (page 52) will be answered in the early rounds of the year's final Grand Slam. USA 11 a.m., 7 p.m.
TUESDAY 8/30
WNBA Playoffs
Folks in Connecticut are accustomed to their female hoopsters entering the postseason as the favorites. This time the team is the Sun, not the Huskies. The Sun, led by former UConn star Nykesha Sales (right, with ball), has the best record (24-7) in the WNBA and home court advantage in the East. ESPN2 8 p.m.
THURSDAY 9/1
Central Florida at South Carolina
Welcome back to college football: South Carolina's Steve Spurrier (left). The Ol' Ball Coach makes a Thursday-night game against the team with the nation's longest losing streak (15 games) look like Must-see TV. ESPN 7:30 p.m.
SI Pick of the Week
SATURDAY 8/27
Saratoga Showdowns
With Preakness and Belmont hero Afleet Alex out with a hairline leg fracture and Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo sidelined by ankle surgery, some lesser-known 3-year-olds will be in the spotlight at the Spa. Roman Ruler (above)--an early Triple Crown favorite before foot injuries forced the colt out of action--will try to follow up his victory at the Aug. 7 Haskell with a win in the 1 1/4-mile Travers Stakes. And in the seven-furlong King's Bishop, undefeated sprinter Lost in the Fog will look to run his winning streak to nine. One of these races could include George Steinbrenner's Bellamy Road, who was seventh in the Kentucky Derby as the favorite. ESPN 5 p.m.
COLOR PHOTO
ERIK AEDER (BODYSURFER)
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SUNSET BOULEVARD/CORBIS SYGMA (WAYNE)
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S. BADZ/WIREIMAGE.COM (LIST)
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MARY ANN CHASTAIN/AP (SPURRIER)
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ADAM COGLIANESE/NEW YORK RACING ASSOCIATION/AP (ROMAN RULER)
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GREGORY BULL/AP (SALES)
