part in helping his side to the brink of history.However, Ba

Krasnaya Polyana, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - Ted Ligety skidded out, sliding onto his left side. No, the American skier hadnt just blown another chance to take his rightful place as the Olympic giant slalom champion. He was celebrating. In clear conditions at the Rosa Khutor course, Ligety carved out a big lead with a masterful morning run Wednesday that all but guaranteed him the gold barring a big mistake in the afternoon. Teammate Bode Miller called it a "clutch performance." You might call it a moment eight years in the making. Ligety took a lead of .93 seconds into the second run, then held on to beat Frances Steve Missillier by .48 seconds for his second Olympic gold medal but first in the event hes dominated for years on the World Cup circuit. Ligety finished with a combined time of 2 minutes, 45.29 seconds, winning the first gold medal of the Sochi Olympics for the U.S. alpine skiing team. Alexis Pinturault earned the bronze behind his French teammate. Widely considered the best giant slalom skier of his generation, Ligety skied out of the race in 2006 and finished ninth in 2010. Until he filled the biggest hole in his resume on Wednesday, Ligetys greatest Olympic feat had been a surprising win in the mens combined as a 21-year-old in 2006. "Today was awesome. Theres not really any other way to put it," said Ligety. "This is something Ive been working for since I was a little kid. Being the favorite in alpine skiing is never easy, because its an event thats so far from being guaranteed and not an event thats super simple to win even if youre skiing the best in the world." Miller finished 2.53 seconds behind Ligety in 20th place in what could be the 36-year-olds final Olympic race. Miller became the oldest Olympic medalist in alpine skiing on Sunday when he tied for bronze in the Super-G for his sixth Olympic medal, including a silver in the giant slalom in 2002. "Its asking a bit much of my left knee still on those kinds of bumps. Right in the middle, theres a left-footed turn that just seems like crazy big bumps. I just look at it thinking maybe I could do it, but confidence-wise I dont feel comfortable dropping it in that way and its cost me both runs there. This is pretty aggressive stuff for the lower leg," noted Miller. Ligety is only the second American skier with two Olympic alpine gold medals after Andrea Mead Lawrence, who won both womens slalom events at the 1952 Oslo Games. He finished his first run in 1:21.08 and had the 14th-fastest time in his second run, 1:24.21 -- more than a second slower than Missillier but good enough. Ligety appeared relieved at the bottom of the hill, sliding into the snow and exhaling. Defending Olympic champion Carlo Janka of Switzerland finished in 13th place and Sochi downhill gold medalist Matthias Mayer of Austria ended sixth. Wholesale Hurricanes Jerseys .C. -- Martin Kaymer set a U. Cheap Adidas Hurricanes Jerseys http://www.cheaphurricanesjerseys.com/ . -- Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .com) - The Eastern Conferences best team takes on one of its worst Tuesday night when the Atlanta Hawks pay a visit to the Wells Fargo Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Cheap Hurricanes Jerseys China .Y. - The New York Rangers have reached a one-year contract extension with goalie Cam Talbot, keeping Henrik Lundqvists backup away from unrestricted free agency.Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has revealed Everton and Manchester United rejected the chance to sign Saul Niguez. The Atletico Madrid midfielder drew headlines with a sensational solo goal against Bayern Munich to give his side a 1-0 lead heading into Tuesdays Champions League semi-final second leg.The 21-year-olds great form has largely gone under the radar this season as the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres and Koke have received the plaudits. Saul dances through the Bayern midfield before scoring in the 11th minute Atleti are chasing an unprecedented league and European double and Saul has played a major part in helping his side to the brink of history.However, Balague has revealed on the La Liga Weekly Podcast that the young Spaniard was twice offered to Premier League clubs - but Everton and United both passed on the opportunity.Saul was offered to Everton when he was 18, and they said no, and he was offered to Manchester United a year-and-a-half ago and United decided not to go for him, Balague said.Their loss appears to be Atleticos gain and Balague is certain that Saul could become one oof the greats of the game.ddddddddddddWe have been saying on Revista for two years that he will become one of the best midfielders in Europe and he is on the way, he added. Saul could become one of the best midfielders in Europe, according to Guillem Balague Terry Gibson is also a fan of Saul, first spotting him playing on loan at Rayo Vallecano, and believes the midfielder could force his way into the Spain squad for this summers European Championship.He is one of those players that has gone unnoticed until that goal, Gibson said. It was a sensational goal and it has brought him to the attention of a lot more people.He is a versatile player as well and there are enough players in the squad who should be threatened by Saul. (Vincent) Del Bosque will have a really good look at him in the preparation games coming up. He is still very young and has a great future ahead of him. 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