The top Canadian duo of Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic has replicated their victory the third time this season by defending the prestigious title of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters. The duo managed to win over the title by 6-3, 2-0 against their opponents Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi, who had to retire from the game after spending 44 minutes in court following Mahesh Bhupathi’s left leg injury.

Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic had a smooth beginning as they won 16 out of 29 service points during the first set of the 29 minute game, while hitting five smashing aces. The duo managed to win another two points during the second game of the second set, after which Mahesh Bhupathi who was playing in the 80th tour level final had to retire.

The victory accounts to a third this season for the duo of Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic that has also earned top honours at Rotterdam and Sydney this very year. The duo claimed the runner’s up spot in the Australian Open which took place in January. This has been their 19th title after they came together in the year 2008.

For Daniel Nestor, the victory at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters proved to be the 67th doubles title in his long tennis career. This also made him the sole active player to have won so many titles. In addition, the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters also puts Daniel Nestor in a tie with the Australian seed Mark Woodforde with regard to the all-time list. Apart from Daniel Nestor, there are only four other tennis champions in the history of tennis who have won all four major tennis titles, the Golden Slam as well as an Olympic gold medal. Daniel Nestor also won the 2004 Monte Carlo Rolex Master and claimed a runner up victory in the year 2006 in the event. So far, Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic have maintained a record of 19-9 as far as title matches are concerned and a record of 21-5 in the season.

Talking about the event and the victory, Daniel Nestor said that the duo played well during the week and that their hard work paid off. He also remarked about the performance of the competing team of Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Miryi and said that they gave a good performance. Daniel Nestor added that he saw them as a strong team to compete with throughout the remaining season.

Nenad Zimonjic for whom the victory marked a 35-23 record regarded Monte Carlo Rolex Masters as one of the best tennis tournaments which is backed by a long tradition. He also said that the tournament won him his very first Masters 1000 title in the year 2004. Nenad Zimonjic added that the duo had maintained their performance all through the weekend which resulted in his fourth title in Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo Rolex Masters is an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. The tournament is followed by the Rome Masters and Madrid Masters. The series of three action-packed Masters paves the way for the French Open which is scheduled to take place in May.

The Rolex Kentucky Three Day event which is one of the best eventing championships across the world is going to be back at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky from April 22 to April 25.The event is one among the three events which are held under the aegis of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. The event is the only four star equestrian event which provides a competitive platform to the equestrian players across the world to give a display of their performances. Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event distributes a sum total of about $190,000 among the top champions of the event and also honours them with a Rolex Masterpiece.

This year, several top Canadian riders will be participating in the event together with their talented horses. The strong line-up of riders from Canada includes Diana who will be seen participating in the event with her horse Manny who also ran in the 2008 Olympic Games. The duo, have had the honour of registering themselves as the top-rank team at the Burghley International CCI4*. They also proved to be the third Canadian team in the history of equestrian sports to complete the event.

Another name to grace the Rolex Kentucky Three Day event this year is Jessica Hampf who will be seen riding High Society III, her top horse. The 1020 season of the event will mark the first time for Jessica Hampf. She started off as a rider at a tender age and soon became hooked to eventing. Jessica Hampf was trained by the internationally acclaimed rider Jan Byyny for the Rolex Kentucky Three Day event.

Hawley Bennett who has remained an Olympic veteran following her participation at the Athens 2004 with her horse Livingstone, will also be seen competing at the event. She is one of the marked Rolex riders. Hawley Bennett is pretty familiar with Kentucky, however, this year will be special for her as she would be riding with her mare Gin and Juice. However, her ride is not all that tiny to look at. With statistics of 15.3 h.h, Gin and Juice can give any horse run for their money. Together, the duo bagged third position in the CIC*** at Galway Downs and also registered their victory at the 2009 Boromont International CCI***. Hawley Bennett is one of the riders who gives a new meaning to horsemanship spirit. For her the health and safety of the horse precedes any personal gain.

Kyle Carter, who will also be seen gracing the Rolex Kentucky Three Day event is a Florida base rider and an established rider of the Canadian Eventing Team. Kyle Carter is an advanced level rider who has also participated in the 2008 Olympic Games together with his horse Madison Park. Kyle Carter has been a part of the 2007 Pan American Games which were held in Rio de Janeiro.

The event not only judges the performance of the riders but also tests the training and the breeding of the horses. The rider-horse duo will be tested during the three rounds of the competition and fight to lay their claim of the prize money of $65,000 and the Rolex timepiece.

Fraito Lugo is one lucky man to have registered his eighth victory in a host of classes in the 37th International Rolex Regatta. The man gave his best during last year’s event as well; however, luck had something else in store which saw Fraito Lugo losing during the final phase races held on the last day of the event. The champion put in immense efforts and exceptional paddling during the first two days of the event that made a base for his win which was then followed up by a stable performance on the third day that then resulted in him being victorious in the IC 24 class. After he claimed victory in the International Rolex Regatta, he was awarded with the Rolex masterpiece which he presented to his trimmer, Milton Gonzalesz, as a token of admiration for the prowess of his team that was demonstrated during the 17 races.

The elated champion, Fraito Lugo, after winning the event said on behalf of the entire team that he felt extremely happy on being victorious in the Regatta championship. The team earned a score of 59 points and beat Colin Bathbun (IVB). The champion spoke about his team’s efforts over the first three days of the event and stated that he was optimistic about success following the good, consistent performance that his team displayed. Apparently, the team’s main focus was to maintain a good speed, sail smoothly and not earn any fouls. He also credits great speed to be the key factor that created the whole difference and resulted in his victory.

After the town races, which marked the opening of the event, the IC 24s came about with short round-the-buoy races. It’s other six classes namely the Spinnaker Racing 1 and 2, IRC, Cruising and Beach Cats, and Non-Spinnaker Racing witnessed mighty scenic courses around the cays, cuts and islands off the eastern end of the St. Thomas, USVI and locales of the St. Thomas Yacht Club.

Richard Oland, a sailor from USA in Vela Volace together with Brian Ledbetter created a score of 13 points in the IRC to defeat Gwendolvn Fragmen and Austin Fragomen who were sailing in Interlodge. He spoke about the experience and said that it was a good opportunity to sail along with the sailors from across the world. Apparently, this was his first ever experience of sailing in the International Rolex regatta. His partner, Brian Ledbetter had been a silver medalist in the Finn class in the 1992 Olympics Games. He added that these three days of sailing in the International Rolex Regatta were magical with reference to the leeward and windward racing in the event.

James Dobbs’ who remained the fourth winner in the troupe talked about the race and remarked that it was evident from the very beginning of the race as to which boats stood a chance to win and could give strong competition. He pointed to the top winners and added that he had no doubts about their seriousness towards the International Rolex Regatta.