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SIGULDA, Latvia -- Canadian Alex Gough is on a nice roll heading into the Sochi Winter Games. The 26-year-old from Calgary capped the World Cup season off in style, finishing second in a second straight womens singles luge event Saturday. American Kate Hansen claimed the gold medal with a two-run time of one minute 23.976 seconds. Gough, the first-run leader, finished second, 0.076 seconds behind. Russian Natalia Khoreva was third, 0.176 seconds back. Gough claimed her 17th career World Cup medal. "That was a very good race today with two solid runs," said Canadian team coach Wolfgang Staudinger. "We are only at this track once every two years so to be able to perform on a track where we have minimal runs is impressive." Calgarys Kimberley McRae finished sixth in 1:24.37 while Arianne Jones, also of Calgary, was 16th in 1:24.790. In mens doubles, Tristan Walker of Cochrane, Alta., and Calgarys Justin Snith were eighth in 1:23.304. Hansen was a surprise winner Saturday, becoming the first American to prevail in a singles race on the circuit since Nov. 22, 1997. It gave both her and the team a major infusion of confidence heading into next months Sochi Games. "Of course its a great surprise for me," Hansen said. "Ive never dreamed of winning the event." Hansen was a five-year-old when Cameron Myler gave the U.S. its most recent singles victory on the World Cup circuit, which also came in Sigulda. And she wasnt even born when Germany last failed to have a woman reach the medal podium after a race on tour. Improbable as it sounds, both things happened Saturday. The 21-year-old Hansen capped her win with a track-record run in the second heat, while Germany -- which in fairness kept its top three sliders, including World Cup champion Natalie Geisenberger, out of the competition so they could prepare for the Olympics instead -- had no one finish better than seventh, an absolute rarity for the deepest team in the world. Hansens gold is the first for the U.S. in any major international race since Erin Hamlin won the world championship in 2009. "This is a momentous occasion," USA Luge spokesman Sandy Caligiore said. Germanys top slider was Dajana Eitberger, about a half-second behind Hansen. Germany had earned a medal in every World Cup womens singles race since 1988. Whether the German best were there or not, it was still a breakthrough for Hansen. The U.S. national champion held the lead at the midway point of the season-opening race at Lillehammer, Norway, then slipped all the way back to 12th in the second heat. And before Saturday, she had never even earned a medal in a World Cup race. Now shes heading to her first Olympics knowing how winning feels. "I dont know if the pressure with regard to the upcoming Olympic Games will be greater now," Hansen said. "Its a good question. But well see." Geisenberger, who clinched the World Cup title a week earlier, finished the season with 785 standings points. Gough was second with 626, Germanys Tatjana Huefner was third with 551, followed by Germanys Anke Wischnewski (493) and Eitberger (432). Discount Basketball Shoes . Marie rink got back in the win column at the Olympic mens curling tournament with a 7-4 win over the host Russian squad on Wednesday. Cheap Basketball Shoes Free Shipping . - The Minnesota Vikings have ruled Christian Ponder out for Sundays game at Baltimore, because the quarterback has not yet passed all of his post-concussion tests. http://www.wholesalebasketballshoes.com/. 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Walter Samuel and Rodrigo Palacio also scored for Inter while Lopez had a penalty saved.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Tom Brady and the Patriots will be resting at home for the start of the playoffs.The only question left is whether the AFCs road to the Super Bowl will run through New England.Jonas Gray scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter after New England intercepted Geno Smith, and the Patriots clinched a bye with a 17-16 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.We made plenty of good (plays) in the fourth quarter to come from behind, so that was great, Brady said. Im glad it came out the way it did — makes for a better Christmas. Its always tough to get a win here.Brady threw a 3-yard TD pass to Rob Gronkowski for the Patriots (12-3), who could earn home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if Denver loses to Cincinnati on Monday night. New England became the first team to earn first-round byes in five straight seasons.With the Jets (3-12) leading 13-10 late in the third quarter, Smiths pass for Jace Amaro hung in the air for an easy interception by Jamie Collins — which led to Grays score minutes later.Yeah, he underthrew it, Jets coach Rex Ryan said. Poor throw.Nick Folk had a 52-yard field goal attempt that could have given New York a lead with just over 5 minutes left. But Vince Wilfork partially blocked it.I penetrated a little bit and got a piece of it, Wilfork said.Brady and the Patriots were then able to run out the clock for the win, sealed by Brandon Boldens 17-yard run on third down with just under 2 minutes left.Its unfortunate, Ryan said. I really thought it was going to be our day.Brady finished 23 of 35 for 182 yards and was sacked four times, a modest showing while playing without wide receiver Julian Edelman (concussion) and running back LeGarrette Blount (shoulder).Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis had a mostly quiet return to the Meadowlands, playing against his former team for the first time since signing with New England — except for the fans booing him when he made a tackle.The game could have marked the final home appearance by Ryan, whose future with the team is uncertain in his sixth season.ddddddddddddI wasnt thinking about anything, Ryan said, other than I was just a little upset over this game.New York will miss the post-season for the fourth straight year, and Ryan and general manager John Idzik have come under heavy criticism by fans who have urged owner Woody Johnson to make changes. Several waved yellow penalty towels at MetLife Stadium with the words Fire Idzik! printed in green. This latest loss certainly didnt make the Jets faithful — or Ryan and Idzik — feel any better.Its tough because through this all, hes been the rock, right guard Willie Colon said of Ryan. I honestly want to win for him, more than anybody.Grey squeaked into the end zone up the middle — a video review stood after Ryan insisted on the sideline that the running backs knee might have been down — to give the Patriots a 17-13 lead with 13:51 remaining.It was about making the critical plays, Brady said, and we found a way to do it.Marcus Williams first NFL interception put the Jets in position to go ahead when Bradys pass tipped off Brandon LaFell and into his hands. But Donta Hightower sacked Smith on third-and-4 for a 10-yard loss, setting up Folks long attempt with 5:26 remaining.Jets centre Nick Mangold injured his left ankle in the second quarter and was carted off the field. He said he had X-rays, which revealed no break, but was going for additional tests Monday. New York also played without wide receiver Percy Harvin in the second half after he injured a rib.NOTES: The win was the Patriots 250th in 368 total games under Robert Kraft, tying him with Chicagos George Halas for the fastest an owner has reached the milestone. ... Bill Belichick broke a tie with Curly Lambeau for fourth place in overall NFL victories with his 230th. ... Smith finished 17 of 27 for 210 yards. ... Jets LB David Harris finished with 10 total tackles, giving him 1,008 for his career. ... Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson had a half-sack in his return after missing three games with turf toe.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '