Die Macht » an emphasis on improving the pitch

VAL GARDENA, Italy -- Bode Miller, Daron Rahlves, Bill Johnson, Buddy Werner.None of these accomplished skiers have achieved what Steven Nyman is aiming for this season: To become the first American man to claim the season-long World Cup downhill title.Having finished sixth in the past two seasons -- and within 76 points (less than the 100 points earned with one race win) of the crystal globe trophy last season -- Nyman believes he has what it takes to surge into the top spot.Its a possibility in my head, because I performed really well in the beginning of last season and I performed really well in the end of the year, Nyman said on Thursday after placing second in the final downhill training session on his preferred course in Val Gardena. So if I can figure out how to link all that together I definitely have a shot at the title.But its a big step and big names like Bode and Daron and (A.J.) Kitt and (Kyle) Rasmussen and Bill Johnson -- nobody has ever won it, Nyman added. So for me to say that is a big statement.Miller came close to the title in 2008, finishing five points behind Didier Cuche when the final downhill of the season was canceled in Bormio.Rahlves finished a distant second to Stephan Eberharter in 2003.If Nyman does realize his goal, hell raise the trophy on home snow at the World Cup Finals in Aspen, Colorado, not far from Nymans hometown of Sundance, Utah.After finishing only 15th in the opening downhill of this season in Val dIsere, France, this month, Nyman will be looking for a lot more on Saturday in Val Gardena, where he has claimed his only three career wins.With one more downhill win in Val Gardena, Nyman can match the course record shared by Austrian great Franz Klammer and Italian great Kristian Ghedina.Ive performed at most of the hills already so I just have to really stay focused and execute, Nyman said. The equipment is styled. Everything has been pretty good. My body is quite healthy.Over his career, Nyman has achieved podium results in five other World Cup resorts -- including a third-place on the course in South Korea that will host the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018.Still, Nyman hasnt been able to win anywhere else besides Val Gardena.When I see him ski here the confidence seems a lot higher, Canadian rival Erik Guay said. I dont think Ive seen him ski with that kind of confidence in a place like Beaver Creek or Kitzbuehel.Peter Fill of Italy, who grew up just down the road from the Val Gardena course, is the defending downhill champion.Win or lose, Nyman will enjoy himself in Val Gardena.On Sunday, Nyman will take his annual tour around the Sellaronda, a 40-kilometer (25-mile) loop of interconnected trails around the Sella Range massif in the heart of the Dolomites that traverses four Alpine passes.Last year, Nyman completed the Sellaronda on a mono ski.And I had never mono skied before. It was a long 40 kilometers. It took all day. But it was a lot of fun. You cant get a bad view here. And to ski all the way around and witness the air show in Alta Badia for the giant slalom is pretty exciting.Nyman finishes off his tour with a seafood dinner at the Emilio Comici refuge in Val Gardena.The fish is brought in every day from the Mediterranean so its top notch, Nyman said. Theyre proud of their food here and I like eating a lot of it. The people, the food, the air. Its kind of like the Mediterranean air. I step out of the car here and I just feel at home. Our hosts, the Demetzs, is family to us.When Nyman returns to Val Gardena next year, hes hoping it will be as the reigning World Cup downhill champion.---Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf Fake Vans For Sale . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Wholesale Fake Vans . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. http://www.fakevans.com/ . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Fake Vans Store . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Fake Vans Old Skool . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. TORONTO -- Outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. was already in Toronto with the San Diego Padres when they traded him across the diamond to the Blue Jays.Joining his new team was a lot more complicated than walking down the hall.The Blue Jays acquired Upton Jr. and cash from the Padres on Tuesday in exchange for minor league right-hander Hansel RodriguezUpton couldnt join Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins for an early afternoon press conference because he was at the nearest border crossing being cleared to re-enter Canada.When he arrived with the Padres on Sunday night, Upton was treated as a visitor. As a member of the Blue Jays, he requires a work visa to enter Canada.Upton drove to Lewiston, New York, about 25 miles north of Buffalo, and was back in Toronto about two hours before game time.About an hour and a half ride there, Upton said after returning to Rogers Centre and taking batting practice with his new team. Sat at border patrol for a little while, jumped in the car and came back. It all went pretty smoothly.Unsure how soon Upton would return, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons left his new player out of Tuesdays starting lineup. Gibbons said he expects to start Upton in Wednesdays series finale.Hes having a nice year, Gibbons said. We think hell add something.Upton has had a big season for the rebuilding Padres, who are mired in fourth place in the NL West. He is hitting .256 with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, 46 runs scored and 20 stolen bases. Hes hit three walk-off home runs.What attracted us to him was several things, Atkins said. The defense at all three positions, speed, base-running, base-stealer, power, versatility and depth.Toronto is 56-44, three games behind Baltimore in the AL East. The Blue Jays hold the second wild-card spot.Upton is in the fourth year of a five-year, $75.25 million contract he signed with the Braves before the 2013 season. Hes owed $16.45 million next season.The Padres will reportedly pay all but $5 million of the $22.5 million remaining on Uptons contract.Padres general manager A.J. Preller and Atkins said the deal had been in the works for a few weeks, with Tooronto reaching out in mid-June after slugger Jose Bautista went on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left big toe.dddddddddddd Bautista returned Monday.Upton has rejuvenated his career after struggling with the Braves.Im definitely in a different place mentally, he said. I was able to clear my mind and start having fun againPreller praised Upton for playing well on both sides of the ballHe has a chance to be a 30-30 guy, Preller said. Hes hit some big home runs in some big spots and has played tremendous defense for us in left field.Two of Torontos three current outfielders, Bautista and All-Star Michael Saunders, are free agents at the end of this season.In the short term, Atkins said he expects Upton to be used as a part-time player, pinch-runner and defensive replacement.It would likely take an injury for him to turn into an everyday outfielder with us, Atkins said.Atkins said the Blue Jays are not done in any way when it comes to trades, with an emphasis on improving the pitching staff.Theres not one team we havent contacted on several occasions, he said, adding that regular talks are ongoing with five to 10 teams.The Padres got Upton and closer Craig Kimbrel in a trade with Atlanta on the eve of opening day 2015. Upton missed a good deal of last season with a foot injury. His brother, Justin, also was with the Padres last season.Kimbrel was traded to Boston in the offseason for prospects and Justin Upton left as a free agent.Were looking at what were going to do in the future, Padres manager Andy Green said. We want to give these younger guys a real look.Green said the Padres will play a man short Tuesday and add another position player before Wednesdays game.The 19-year-old Rodriguez was 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA in six starts for the Rookie-Level Bluefield Blue Jays.With trade rumors swirling, Upton sat out San Diegos last two games, including Mondays 4-2 loss at Toronto.Toronto optioned right-hander Ryan Tepera to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for Upton. ' ' '