Rahlves (3d), Miller (4th) give US a lift
In a race as treacherous as any and as nerve-racking as the Olympics, Daron Rahlves and Bode Miller gave the United States a big lift yesterday. Rahlves finished third in a World Cup downhill on the perilous Streif course in Kitzbuehel, Austria, while Miller, the reigning overall World Cup champion, was fourth. Austria's Michael Walchhofer took his second downhill victory of the season. Liechtenstein's Marco Buechel was second, 0.05 seconds behind. Walchhofer was timed in 1 minute 46.75 seconds on a run shortened because of fog on the upper part of the Hahnenkamm mountain. Fritz Strobl broke his left hand, hurting his chance to defend his Olympic downhill title . . . The final round of the US Snowboarding Trials in Vernon, N.J., was postponed because of wind and rescheduled for this morning.
Skating
Plushenko wins fifth title at Europeans
Weakened by the flu, Evgeni Plushenko (245.33 points) captured his fifth title at the European Figure Skating Championships in Lyon, France. World champion Stephane Lambiel (228.87) of Switzerland was second and Brian Joubert (222.95) of France was third. . . . Russian Dmitry Dorofeyev held a slight lead over American Joey Cheek at the halfway stage of the world sprint speedskating championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. Dorofeyev won the 500 meters and finished tied for third in the 1,000 for 69.745 points, giving him a .070 lead over Cheek. Cheek finished second in the 500 and 1,000. American Shani Davis finished sixth in the 1,000, his first loss in the event this year. In the women's events, Svetlana Zhurova finished third in the 500 and 1,000 and led with 76.950 points, holding a .120-point lead over 2004 champion Marianne Timmer of the Netherlands. Jennifer Rodriguez of the US finished 12th in the 500 and fifth in the 1,000, leaving her eighth overall.
NFL
Browns name an assistant head coach
The Cleveland Browns promoted offensive line coach Jeff Davidson to assistant head coach. Davidson, a former guard at Ohio State, will continue coaching the offensive line. ''Jeff will add to his current role by assisting me with any overflow duties that might arise," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said in a statement. Davidson has been an assistant coach for 12 seasons. He joined the Browns after working as an assistant in New England for eight seasons . . . Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy promoted defensive ends coach Bob Sanders to defensive coordinator. Sanders will replace Jim Bates, who announced last week he wouldn't return after he was passed over for the head coaching job.
Baseball
Orioles acquire Benson from the Mets
The Baltimore Orioles acquired righthander Kris Benson from the New York Mets in exchange for righthanders Jorge Julio and John Maine. Benson went 10-8 with a 4.13 ERA in 28 starts for the Mets in 2005. Julio was Baltimore's closer from 2002-04 and had 36 saves in 2003, a career high. In five seasons, he is 11-24 with a 4.20 ERA and 83 saves. Maine went 2-3 with a 6.30 ERA in 10 appearances for the Orioles last year . . . Pitcher Jorge Sosa agreed to a $2.2 million, one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves after the best season of his career. The 28-year-old righthander was acquired by the Braves before last season in a seemingly minor deal with Tampa Bay. After starting out in the bullpen, he claimed a spot in the rotation and went 13-3 with a 2.55 ERA . . . The Minnesota Twins and utilityman Michael Cuddyer agreed to a $1.3 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration.
Miscellany
LeBron's mother charged with DWI
LeBron James's mother was arrested for driving while intoxicated, disorderly conduct, and other charges. Gloria James was pulled over Friday night by two off-duty officers, who were working security for the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, said Akron Police Lieutenant Rick Edwards. ''Once I . . . sit down with my family, I'll be able to comment on it a little bit better," LeBron James said before the Cavaliers played the Jazz in Utah. The officers said Gloria James, 37, almost hit their unmarked car with her 2004 Cadillac Escalade. Edwards said James smelled of alcohol, appeared to be disoriented, and struggled with police as they attempted to put handcuffs on her. James refused to take breath or sobriety tests. She posted a $2,500 bond and was released . . . The Adirondack Frostbite of the United Hockey League named Dane Jackson their head coach. Jackson, 35, replaces Marc Potvin, who was found dead Jan. 13 in a Kalamazoo, Mich., hotel room just hours before his team was to play a game . . . Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows Training Center will not accept horses that have raced or been stabled in Maryland since Jan. 1, in an effort to protect against the spread of the equine herpes virus, track management said from Hallandale, Fla. Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is under quarantine because of an outbreak of the virus.
