Jamaicans lose US showdown
HOW DO YOU WIN BOTH RACES AND GET CALLED A LOSER? INTERESTING HEADER IN US COVERAGE 
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Sat, 29 Jan 04:04:00 2011
Jamaicans Veronica Campbell-Brown and Nesta Carter won the sprints but US sprinters claimed victory on points in the US-Jamaica challenge at the 104th Millrose Games.
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World indoor champion and two-time Olympic gold medal winner Campbell-Brown won the women’s 60 metres in a 2011-best 7.11 seconds with Americans Lauryn Williams and Lisa Barber following in 7.22 and 7.23.
Carter, like Campbell-Brown, overcame a slow start to power to victory in a season’s fastest 6.52 in the men’s 60 with Mike Rodgers (6.56) and Trell Kimmons (6.57) second and third in the six-man field comprised of runners from the two sprint powers.
The four podium finishes lifted the US sprinters to first place in the competition against the Jamaicans that is being showcased during the US indoor season.
Bragging rights seemed to matter to the athletes with Rodgers saying: “We didn’t win either race but we got a moral victory.”
Campbell-Brown, a two-time Olympic 200 champion and world champion over 100 metres, was happy with a victory but said her racing this season was all prelude to the world championships.
“It’s a good way to start. It’s a world championships year and I will run each race to prepare,” said Campbell-Brown, who added she planned to race the 100/200 double at the worlds in Daegu, South Korea.
Williams, the 2005 world 100 metres champion and silver medalist in 2007, said she was eager to return to the limelight after skipping most of the 2010 season.
“I got blasted out of the blocks but I closed nicely,” she said. “I think over the next two or three races I’ll find my groove. I feel very refreshed and look forward to this year.”
Reuters