Regeln » the College World Series last month. When the Frogs

MONTREAL -- Its been seven years since Fernando Alonso ruled Formula One, but the two-time world champion from Spain is back in the race this year. Alonso posted the quickest lap in his Ferrari on a chilly, damp day of practice at the Canadian Grand Prix on Friday, although he wasnt going to get excited about being fastest in the 22-car field in a mere practice. Especially since his lap time held up mainly because a sprinkle of rain slowed cars through the final 15 minutes of the 90-minute afternoon session, just when most drivers are ready to make their fastest laps. "It depends on which moment you do your lap and the conditions on the circuit whether you are quickest or not," Alonso said. "The most important thing was to evaluate some new parts we brought here, and the new tires that Pirelli brought as well. Some of it we managed to do." Alonso navigated the 4,361-kilometre Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which is slick even when it doesnt rain, in one minute 14.818 seconds, just ahead of defending Canadian Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamiltons Mercedes in 1:14.830. Romain Grosjean, who finished second here last year, was third-quickest for Lotus followed by Mark Webbers Red Bull, Nico Rosbergs Mercedes and Felipe Massa in a Ferrari. Alonso won world championships in 2005 and 2006 for Renault, but the 31-year-old was unable to catch Sebastian Vettels Red Bull as the German won championships the last three years. But he is making a case with two wins in the opening six races this season, the same as Vettel, who leads driver standings with 107 points. Lotus veteran Kimi Raikkonen is second with 86 and Alonso third with 78. When asked who he expected to be his chief competition this weekend, Vettel didnt overlook Ferrari. "On one lap, if you look at the time sheet, the Mercedes again looked very quick," he said. "The Ferrari looked competitive in both long and short runs. "So I think those will be the main rivals. But never forget the Lotus. They could be a surprise in the race." There is one more practice session on the schedule before qualifying on Saturday afternoon, when more damp weather is forecast. The sun is expected to appear for the race on Sunday. It complicates all the teams experiments with tires, car set-ups and other factors ahead of the race on what is considered one of the more difficult tracks in Formula One. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is known for being tough on brakes and tires with its long straightaways leading into tight corners and chicanes. The asphalt is slippery because it is only used once a year for racing. Any grip-enhancing rubber laid down in practice may be washed away by rain. It was not ideal for tire supplier Pirelli either. The Italian firm brought its new, more durable tires for use in practice for the first time, but due to the conditions teams could only use them for about five laps. The new tires, reinforced with Kevlar rather than steel to reduce degradation, were supposed to go into full use at the British Grand Prix in two weeks, but that may now be delayed. "We did what we could," said Vettel. "It was a bit tricky to test different things because it was so slippery, but it was the same for everybody." Rosberg, coming off a victory at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago, will be gunning for a fourth straight pole position. Hamilton is looking for a fourth Canadian Grand Prix victory. The Briton posted his first F1 win in Montreal in 2007, and also won in 2010 and last year. But they were all for the McLaren team, and he now races for Mercedes. Vettel, meanwhile, has never finished better than second at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. "No extra pressure because of that," Vettel said. "I like coming here despite the fact we havent won. "Today was a good day, but slippery. (Saturday) the weather is again going to be a factor. Then well see on Sunday." With Hamilton gone, the McLarens have slipped on the grid, leaving their top driver Jenson Button 10th in drivers standings with only one top-5 finish this year. Button won the Canadian race in 2011, and hopes the unpredictable conditions will help him this week, even if he is not even thinking about winning. "We all think we have a chance of winning in different conditions, but the reality is that its going to be very difficult for us," he said. "Thats why we go racing, but we know realistically its not going to happen. "So our aim is to get some good points in. Im not hoping for a certain position. I just hope we make improvements and get closer to the front." Times in the afternoon session were about seven seconds faster than in the morning, when Paul Di Resta of the Force India team led at 1:21.020. The late rain led to some slipping and sliding, including a near-crash between Webber and Grosjean. Kimi Raikkonens Lotus also went for a slide. Pastor Maldonado hit a wall late in the morning session and damaged the front wing on his Williams, while Jules Bianchis Marussia stopped on a slip road after 41 minutes, ending his session. Several others, including Button and Hamilton, had minor slides but kept going. "Its been a fun day of weather," said Button, who was ninth-fastest. "Weve had dry, wet, in the middle. "Its a pity at the end that we had a gearbox issue, so I didnt get a long run, which would have been quite useful, especially around here. But theres still a lot of data to go through."Marble Water Bottle Cheap . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Swell Bottle Black . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. http://www.swellbottlesaleclearance.com/ .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. sWell Marble Water Bottle Canada . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Swell Wood Bottle Sale .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable.FORT WORTH, Texas -- A 7-year-old Texas boy who was a beloved part of the TCU baseball teams three consecutive trips to the College World Series has died following a battle with cancer.Micah Ahern had undergone more than 10 operations since 2010 after being diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that attacks small children.TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle posted in a tweet that the Horned Frogs had lost a teammate with Micahs passing Thursday. The coach also wrote, Heaven gained, not just an Angel, but a Warrior!TCU players considered Micah a hero and friend since he was first introduced to the team in 2013 through Team IMPACT, an organization that matches children suffering from chronic or life-threatening illnesses with college teams. They Horned Frogs wore a logo for Micah, a letter M inside a Superman-style shield, on their caps and T-shirts.Wish I wasnt posting this but trying to rest in the truth that Micah isnt suffering anymore, his father, Maurice Ahern , wrote on Facebook and Twitter.ddddddddddddMicah is no longer suffering. He is healed and whole. I praise God for that. Now we all are left here to mourn the loss of The Great Superhero.The boy from nearby Arlington had his own locker in TCUs locker room, and two years ago signed a national letter of intent with the Frogs.In early June, his family said Micahs cancer had progressed and that he would no longer be doing certain treatments.Micah and his family got to attend TCUs 6-1 win over Coastal Carolina at the College World Series last month. When the Frogs returned home after being eliminated from Omaha, they went to visit Micah even before going back to campus.Hes the toughest 7-year-old Ive ever seen, TCU catcher Evan Skoug said last month. They say that God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. And weve seen thats true with Micah. ' ' '