Icy fast in spots, but set too tight in others, the new men's downhill course to be used for the Sochi 2014 Olympics is proving a significant challenge this week for the world's top speed skiers.
Michael Clarke hit a majestic unbeaten 329 before declaring Australia's first innings at 659 for four with a lead of 468 on the third day of the second test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.
Swimmer Sherry Liu qualified for the Pan American Games with a second-place finish in the 800-metre freestyle at the Canadian summer nationals.
Debutant opener Ed Cowan batted through the opening two sessions to put Australia in a handy position on the opening day of the first Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.
Soccer / Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita was on Sunday named Mali's top sportsman for 2011. Keita, who will be part of Mali's squad for next month's African Cup of Nations, helped Barcelona to the Champions League title, La Liga crown and the Club World Cup this year.
Before we look ahead to 2012 and all the pre-dictions, let's reflect on some of the best sporting quotes of the year:
Cricket . Australia reacted with a wave of panic today after falling to a first home test defeat to New Zealand in more than a quarter of a century with a series against India just two weeks away.
- Karyn Jewell of Gatineau took first place in the 400 individual medley at the Canada Cup swimming competition in Etobicoke, Ont., on Friday. Also, Mike Brown, from Perth and now living in Calgary, set a meet mark in winning the 100 breaststroke.
- Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Erik Walden was arrested Friday on suspicion of felony domestic violence/ substantial battery and will remain in jail until at least Monday. Walden allegedly assaulted his live-in girlfriend at the couple's apartment in Lawrence, Wisconsin, just outside of Green Bay. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the court is closed for the weekend, so while Walden's teammates have the next three days off following the team's 27-15 Thanksgiving Day victory at Detroit, Walden will remain in jail.
It is the ultimate goal for any soccer player and unreachable for all but the few.
With the return of the Western Hockey League to Victoria, those expecting a constant barrage of blinding flashiness on Blanshard Street from future NHL stars have perhaps been mildly underwhelmed. But that certainly wasn't the case in October when Emerson Etem of the Medicine Hat Tigers, the complete package of strength and speed, roared through Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre to score five goals in a two-game set against the Royals.