aims games yachting

AIMS Games: Future stars in action during yachting championships

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Sailors compete in an AIMS Games Yacht race. Photo / George Novak

The Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club has made a habit of producing Olympic sailors in recent times so what better place for the next generation of stars to battle it out.

The club has produced a number of sailing champions, including 2016 Olympic champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.

This week they are hosting the 2019 AIMS Games Yachting events and one of the club's life members Gary Smith said there were definitely some future champions in the mix.

"We've had some great kids come through [during the AIMS Games], there's no doubt about it. The talent is really up there, there's some stunning kids out there."

"With this event, some of the names you see in the results are our future Olympic and America's Cup sailors. It's absolutely exciting, this is the fifth time sailing has been at the AIMS Games and we're looking forward to it getting bigger and brighter."

He said New Zealand's Olympic and America's Cup successes had helped grow participation in the sport.

"We're the world's best Olympic sailing club, there's no other sailing club in the world that has a gold, silver, bronze and a fourth-place from one Olympics, which happened in Rio. There's magic water in Tauranga.

"We've had a great bunch come through. We had 96 on the water, that's up on 86 last year."

He said the challenging conditions which club members got used to sailing in, off Sulphur Point in Tauranga, helped them hone their craft.

"It's a difficult stretch of water to sail on with the currents and the wind. It teaches the kids a lot about seeing what's on the water, how to make the boat work."

Smith said sailing was something which those who learned at a young age kept with them for life. In his role as a national judge, he has a front-row seat to the progression of the athletes.

"Sailing for life is the motto, when you learn it as a kid it will stick with you for life. Sailing is one of the few sports where we rely on the kids to judge themselves, we're not out there umpiring every move, we're out there to be seen to be stopping the worst ones.

"As a sport, we rely on what's called the Corinthian ethic of sailing. That is if I'm in the wrong I'll take a penalty, rather than have an umpire say I'm wrong. Honesty and sportsmanship are integral parts of sailing, it's embedded in our rule book."

He said AIMS Games was "an amazing event" to be part of.

"It can't go anywhere else in the country and it's awesome seeing this number of kids being here and being able to do it. A number of these kids we'll see back at Christmas time for national championships so it's a good chance for them to test the waters.

"As far as AIMS Games being held in Tauranga, it's great to be involved in and we really enjoy it. Our biggest problem this year wasn't measles, it was hypothermia. It was very cold out there today, there was a real wind chill but the kids handled it well, it makes it really hard work."

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AIMS Games kicks off in Tauranga after two-year COVID hiatus

AIMS Games' launch coincided with Father's Day and there was no shortage of young athletes following in their dads' footsteps. Credits: Newshub

The popular sporting tournament for intermediate students, the AIMS Games, kicked off in Tauranga on Sunday after a two-year COVID hiatus.

The event's launch coincided with Father's Day and there was no shortage of young athletes following in their dads' footsteps.

More from Newshub

Dean Barker hardly needs an introduction. The yachting legend steered Team New Zealand for 13 years. It's a career that's now inspiring a new generation, including his daughter Isla.

"I hope to be in the America's Cup one day just like dad," she said.

"It's so nice when you can actually relate with your children, to be able to be involved in a sport that's been such a big part of my life," Dean added.

Dean spent Father's Day at Tauranga's Yacht Club where the AIMS Games yachting competition is taking place.

"Unfortunately, the last two years, it hasn't been able to be run due to COVID," he said.

Now it's back, Dean and his kids Isla and Matteo are making the most of it.

"I think it's quite nice for him to be able to watch us sail on Father's Day," Isla said.

The tournament brings together 11, 12 and 13-year-olds from 350 schools. More than 10,000 students are expected this year.

"The social side of it's huge. They get to hang out with all their mates again and compete and that's what it's all about," former Olympian Kane Radford said.

The open water swimming champ brought his young son to watch the championships.

"Growing up with swimming, my whole career, and being able to do things, it's great to be able to bring him down. His love for the water's something special," Radford said.

Matt Alaifea travelled from Porirua to support his 11-year-old daughter.

"Yo, it feels amazing man, watching other dads here with their kids," he said.

"I just want her to have fun you know? It's her day really, it's her time to shine."

Not a bad way to spend Father's Day.

Posted: 11:45am Thu 25 Aug, 2022

AIMS Games sailing returns to Tauranga

The AIMS Games is a rare chance for sailors to compete for their school. Photo: Yachting NZ.

More than 80 Optimist and O'pen Skiff sailors will be competing over three days in September at the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club .

Tauranga is about to be invaded with more than 10,000 years 7 and 8 children descending on the city for the upcoming Zespri AIMS Games.

It's the first time the event is being held in three years after the last two were cancelled due to Covid-19 .

The AIMS Games, being held from from September 4 - 6, is a rare chance for sailors to compete for their school and, as well as individuals honours, the AIMS Cup is awarded to the top school.

'The Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club are excited to be able to host the AIMS Games again this year," says Tauranga spokesperson Lynne Whitaker.

"It's great to see so many entries and reinforces how much the kids love this regatta. It's unique in that sailors compete for their schools rather than their clubs.”

The AIMS Games (Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools) has grown from four sports in 2004 and this year will attract close to 11,000 participants from 323 schools competing in 23 sports.

The 2019 tournament drew more than 25,000 athletes, supporters and officials to Tauranga, injecting nearly $6.5 million into regional coffers.

Sailing in Tauranga in September can be challenging and cold and a range of conditions are forecast for the three days of racing.

You can follow the action on the AIMS Games website or Facebook page .

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Sailing to feature in AIMS Games from 2015

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AIMS Games registrations closing soon

The Anchor AIMS Games returns in September after it was missing from the calendar last year due to Covid-19 but time is running out for sailors to get their entries in.

Registrations close at 11.59pm on June 9 and must be made by the school. The Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club will host the sailing, which runs from September 4-7, and a limited number of charter boats are available.

The AIMS Games (Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools) was introduced in 2004 and in 2019 attracted more than 10,000 intermediate-aged children competing across 24 sports from golf and gymnastics to mountain biking and multisport. Sailing was added to the programme in 2015 and in 2019 the O'pen Skiff joined the Optimist as the classes contested.

For many children, this is their first experience of a super-scale sports event, complete with an opening ceremony and livestreaming, and it's also a rare chance for young sailors to compete for their school.

Schools which have two or more sailors in a class are eligible for team honours.

Sailing in Tauranga in September can be challenging and cold, meaning it's a requirement for sailors to have completed Yachting New Zealand's learn to sail level 3 and to have competed in at least one regional (two-day) regatta to show they are sailing at a standard to enjoy this event.

See here for more information or contact Yachting New Zealand regional support officer Kelly Mulcahy on kellym@ yachtingnz.org.nz .

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TOURNAMENT INFO 2024 Zespri AIMS Games

Default fiNe

Due to the size and scale of the Zespri AIMS Games many codes have grown significantly with registration numbers and therefore the days are longer to get through the programme. If a team/individual defaults a game, there will be a $400 penalty fee charged. If the $400 fee is not paid, the school will not be permitted to enter future Zespri AIMS Games until the account has been paid. We make no exceptions for travelling teams, students that are competing in more than one code etc.

Disputes procedure

All disputes must be lodged (by team coaches/managers only) with the venue controller within the code-specific specified time of the completion of the match/race in question. Dispute forms are emailed to all schools and code coordinators will also have copies of the form to be completed. A protest fee of $100 will be charged. If the protest is upheld the fee will be refunded. The venue controller will liaise with the Disputes/Judiciary director, and he/she will call a meeting of the disputes committee as soon as practical to resolve the dispute. Venue controllers reserve the right to sanction unsportsmanlike conduct from coaches, parents, and supporters during the course of the tournament. Rules of the national governing body of the sport shall be applied in the first instance.

Eligibility

Students competing must be enrolled full-time in the school they are representing.   As the Zespri AIMS Games is an interschools sporting competition, teams cannot be comprised of students who are enrolled in different schools .

New Zealand students competing must be classified as a Year 7 or Year 8 student on the New Zealand Ministry of Education Enrol database.

Participating New Zealand Intermediate, Middle and Year 7-13 Secondary Schools require full membership of NZAIMS. Affiliate membership is available to Full Primary and Area Schools using the fee schedule based on MoE U Grade. NZAIMS – New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schooling  http://nzaims.co.nz

Students may compete in more than one code, provided they are in line with the permitted code crossovers detailed in the Event Information Booklet. T imetable allowances will NOT be made for any competitors.

Competitors must be over 10 years of age and under 13 years of age, as at 31 December the year before the tournament year. Competitor’s birthdates will be required on school registration documentation. For the 2024 Zespri AIMS Games, this means the accepted birth years are: 2011, 2012 and 2013.

All participants must have online medical and media waiver documentation completed to be eligible compete.

This is an inclusive event providing opportunities for students with physical, visual and intellectual disabilities to compete. Seperate Athletes with Disabilities divisions are offered in Cross Country, Indoor Bowls, Swimming and Table Tennis. In all other sports, disabled athletes compete in an open class. See individual sports for entry requirements.

The AIMS Games Trust support the full inclusion of transgender athletes. Transgender youth participate in sports for the same reasons that all young people do: to have fun, challenge themselves, and be part of a team where they feel included and accepted. Students who are transgender deserve the chance to succeed and thrive like any other student.

Equal opportunities

To ensure players are given equal opportunities the AIMS Games Trust recommends all players get to play a minimum of half the time of a game.

Media/PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL

All parents/caregivers must complete their child’s media waiver form on our website by the required due date. All participants at the 2024 Zespri AIMS Games must have this documentation completed to be eligible to compete.

Zespri AIMS Games has the unconditional right to use at its discretion any photographic and/or video images taken of any competitors/officials while participating at the Zespri AIMS Games, and any information provided by you, in any form of social media, websites, media, art, advertising, trade, visual documentary, promotional material, merchandise, film coverage etc. without any compensation to you or approval by you. All images will be stored in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.

The purpose of these images is to use them on future promotional, advertising and marketing materials for the Games, as well as in local and national media and social media reports before, during and after the Games. The AIMS Games Trust wherever possible carefully selects images to be used that are in the best interests of all of its competitors, however due to the large number of competitors and the presence of media with limited time frames, it is not possible to seek consent of the individual competitor prior to the image being published.

Medical INFORMATION/records

The Zespri AIMS Games recognises that many Zespri AIMS Games participants are in Tauranga unaccompanied by their parent/caregivers. To ensure our various medical providers can cater for the requirements of all Zespri AIMS Games competitors as quickly and efficiently as possible all parents/caregivers must complete their child’s medical form on our website by the due date. All participants at the 2024 Zespri AIMS Games must have this documentation completed to be eligible to compete. This information is to assist us in case of any eventuality and is treated in a confidential manner.

OPENING ceremONY

The Zespri AIMS Games Opening Ceremony will entertain and inspire competitors and get the week-long school sporting championships off to an unforgettable start.

Sunday 8th September 2024

3.00pm show 1 (doors open at 2.00pm) ceremony ends at 4.15pm (approx.).

7.00pm show 2 (doors open at 6.00pm) ceremony ends at 8.15pm (approx.).

Mercury Baypark Arena – 81 Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui.

Cost – $25.00 per student competitor/child and $35.00 per coach/manager/adult supporters (+ booking fees).

Additional booking fees - $1.15 per ticket; $11.50 one-off invoice fee (if a school requires an invoice to be generated).

There is NO LIMIT on the number of tickets a school can purchase.

Monday 29th July – School group pre-sale for opening ceremony tickets commences.

Monday 5th August – Opening ceremony tickets on sale to the public.

ParticipATION CERTIFICATE

Attending competitors are welcome to download our sporting code participation certificate as a keepsake of their experience at the Zespri AIMS Games Sporting Championships.  These certificates can be downloaded from the relevant sporting code page on our website closer to the tournament.

PhysiotHErapy Services

Body in Motion Physiotherapists are onsite at the Zespri AIMS Games for competitors across all codes.

Onsite clinics will be based at Waipuna Park, Gordon Spratt Reserve, Mercury Baypark and Blake Park.

A physiotherapy timetable will be released closer to the tournament.

PLANNING timetable

Mark these dates in your diary - don’t miss important 2024 deadlines!

Friday 15th March

Registrations open via our online registration system.

Registrations will only be accepted from the school's designated Zespri AIMS Games Coordinator.

Schools are allocated a unique Zespri AIMS Games registration log in code to complete their entries.

Wednesday 5th June

Entries close for the 2024 Zespri AIMS Games at 7.59pm. Schools agree by registering teams and individual athletes that registrations for their school as at this date will be paid for in full. NO EXCEPTIONS! If registration for a sporting code is oversubscribed, then the opportunity to compete will be at the discretion of the executive committee and the individual/team registration fee will be refunded.

For all individuals competing in Mountain Biking, Surfing, Tennis and Yachting - name, date of birth, code information, coaches and managers names and contact details to be uploaded in our online registration system.

Wednesday 12th June

Latest date that schools will be in receipt of their registration fee invoice for the 2024 Zespri AIMS Games.

Wednesday 19th June

All schools must have paid their registration invoice to have their entry confirmed. Late entries (if accepted and only where a sporting code is not already at capacity) will incur a 50% penalty fee.

Wednesday 24th July

Hip Hop tickets (for spectators) go on sale.

Monday 29th July

Swimmers need to submit the events they wish to swim via the Swimming NZ Fast Lane. SNZ entries open.

School group pre-sale for opening ceremony tickets commences.

Wednesday 31st July

All team and individual athlete names, date of birth, code information, coaches and managers names and contact details to be uploaded via our online registration system. 

Please note that this applies to registered athletes only, late entries will not be accepted.

Monday 5th August

Opening ceremony tickets on sale to the public.

Wednesday 7th August

Team sporting code draws published on the Zespri AIMS Games website.

Friday 16th August

All parents/caregivers must have completed their child’s medical form and media waiver on the Zespri AIMS Games website.  Please note that the links to these documents will not go live until 31st July, after schools have uploaded their participating athletes.

Thursday 29th August

Preliminary individual sporting code draws published on the Zespri AIMS Games website.  Final draws will be published no later than one week prior to the event.

Saturday 7th September

The 19th Zespri AIMS Games School Sporting Championships opens.

Sunday 8th September

Opening Ceremonies, Mercury Baypark Arena, Mount Maunganui (First show 3.00pm, Second show 7.00pm).

Friday 13th September

The 19th Zespri AIMS Games School Sporting Championships closes.

Road safety

We want all attendees to be safe as pedestrians, passengers, cyclists, or drivers at the Zespri AIMS Games.

Have a backup driver if you’re feeling too tired to drive.

Don’t let kids distract you when you’re driving.

There’s lots of extra traffic on the roads in the Tauranga region with the Zespri AIMS Games in town and many who are new to the roading layout – keep alert!

Allow extra time to get to your destinations.

AA safer driver tips –  https://www.aa.co.nz/about/safety-on-the-roads/

Please ensure all personal items and items of value are secure at all times. The organisers take no responsibility for loss or damage to valuables or clothing.

All events at all Zespri AIMS Games locations are vape and smokefree. Please help to make this a whanau-friendly event by protecting our children from second-hand smoke, and by making others aware of the Zespri AIMS Games’ smokefree status.

For more information on being smokefree go to the recently updated smokefree website –  smokefree.org.nz   

St John provides excellent service throughout the Zespri AIMS Games week. The St John First Aid Post is stationed at Blake Park as well as having a presence at Gordon Spratt Reserve, Waipuna Park, Mercury Baypark, Cambridge Park (Tauranga BMX Park), Pilot Bay and McLaren Falls Park.

SUN PROTECTION

Be SunSmart during September to April, especially between 10.00am and 4.00pm when the sun’s UV rays are most fierce.

Slip – into a long-sleeved shirt with a collar and under the shade of a tree or umbrella.

Slop – on plenty of sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors. Use broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF30+ and reapply every two hours or after being in water or sweating.

Slap – on a hat with a wide brim or a cap with flaps.

Wrap – on a pair of wrap-around sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

For more information on how you can protect yourself in the sun go to  www.sunsmart.org.nz

Team player medals

The Zespri AIMS Games Sporting Championships promotes and rewards fair play. Good sport is about a positive attitude. The team player medal is awarded to an individual (applies to team sporting codes only). The recipient will be decided by their team management and/or team members, they will demonstrate the best attitude, fair play and respect for their teammates and opposition, coaches and referees. 

The team player medal is awarded for overall excellence:

Presentation – Standard at all times

Punctuality – Games and duty requirements

Competition – Skill and fair play

Respect – For officials, other competitors and visitors to the tournament

Tsunami EVACUATION INFO

An earthquake is the first warning that a tsunami might be on the way. Do not wait for official warnings to evacuate.

All the tsunami evacuation maps, common questions etc can be found and downloaded here –  Civil Defence Tsunami Management

Wet WEATHER procedure

The Zespri AIMS Games Executive Committee has formulated wet weather procedures to detail what will happen in the eventuality of adverse weather conditions during tournament week. In the event of light or intermittent rain before and during matches, play will continue as normal. However, in the event of heavy continuous rain the code coordinators reserve the right to postpone, delay or abandon any fixture. In the event of lightning, play will be immediately stopped at all venues for the duration of that storm. All participating teams must supply the event organisers with a reliable contact mobile phone number for a member of the team management. The safety of the competitors is of the upmost concern to the organisers.

Mercury Energy are the official internet partner of the tournament, providing free streaming services and public Wi-Fi to a number of locations for September’s week-long intermediate-aged championships. It’s an important week for the athletes and their supporters, and keeping everyone connected is a big part of this. Providing Wi-Fi at a number of the Zespri AIMS Games venues enables easy access to key information, leaving more time to focus on events, recovery and connecting with others.

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR:

Kelly Schischka

Contact ​​​​​​​

QUICK LINKS

• Anniston/Gadsden

Pelham café offering board games and mead aims for summer opening

• Published: Mar. 04, 2024, 2:06 p.m.

At left, Nick Hammett and Adam Valentine are the founders of Valhalla Board Game Cafe. (Valhalla Board Game Cafe) Valhalla Board Game Cafe

• William Thornton | [email protected]

A Pelham business scheduled to open this summer will allow visitors to hoist their mead among fellow gamesmasters as they vie for the prize - or at least, a tasty sandwich.

Valhalla Board Game Café will open this summer at 2408 Pelham Pkwy Suite 400, in the Campus No. 124 development, located at the former Valley Elementary School off U.S. 31,

The brainchild of Nick Hammett and Adam Valentine, the café will serve locally sourced coffee, beer and mead, with sandwiches, charcuterie boards and pastries. But it will also be a forum for games - board games, card games, role playing and other friendly contests.

“Nick and I are everyday normal people,” Valentine said. “ We graduated from Oak Mountain, and we want to build something the community loves and that people enjoy coming to. We just want to have a place where people can come and enjoy themselves.”

The two business partners have always been fans of Norse mythology. About four years ago, they hit on the concept of a shared space for people seeking to play games. But they wanted a viable business model, so the idea of a café space with a menu fit for a Viking struck them as an option.

After the pandemic, they began staging one-off gaming nights around the Birmingham area, testing the concept, making inroads with gamers and looking for investors, raising money for charity.

And they took the name from a slightly distorted amalgam of their last names - the name for the Norse realm for dead warriors, who feast nightly and play games.

This theme will be reflected in ethically-sourced horn mugs and a look fit for long boat riders. Valentine said the concept is based on similar businesses in Europe and Canada.

“There’s not a lot of them in the South yet, and we wanted to be one of the first ones in Alabama.”

“Our priorities are camaraderie, fun, and food. We endeavor to be a place where people can unplug and get lost in games and adventure opposed to getting lost in social media,” Hammett said.

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Portland State faces Idaho, aims to break 3-game slide

Idaho Vandals (11-19, 5-12 Big Sky) at Portland State Vikings (16-14, 7-10 Big Sky)

Portland, Oregon; Monday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Portland State looks to end its three-game slide when the Vikings play Idaho.

The Vikings have gone 10-2 in home games. Portland State leads the Big Sky in rebounding, averaging 36.6 boards. Kaelen Allen leads the Vikings with 7.0 rebounds.

The Vandals are 5-12 against Big Sky opponents.

Portland State is shooting 41.5% from the field this season, 4.1 percentage points lower than the 45.6% Idaho allows to opponents. Idaho averages 68.3 points per game, 3.5 fewer than the 71.8 Portland State allows to opponents.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bobby Harvey is shooting 36.9% from beyond the arc with 2.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Vikings, while averaging 9.7 points. Allen is averaging 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds over the past 10 games for Portland State.

LAST 10 GAMES: Vikings: 4-6, averaging 73.2 points, 36.0 rebounds, 11.4 assists, 8.6 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 41.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.1 points per game.

Vandals: 4-6, averaging 66.8 points, 29.9 rebounds, 11.9 assists, 5.2 steals and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.7 points.

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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No. 24 South Florida takes on Tulane, aims to continue torrid stretch

No. 24 South Florida takes on Tulane , aims to continue torrid stretch

Last week, South Florida became ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 basketball poll for the first time in school history.

Now up to No. 24 in the rankings, the Bulls (22-5, 15-1 American Athletic Conference) have also clinched their first regular-season conference championship in the program's history, which includes 51 seasons and five conferences.

And they're just getting started as they prepare to host Tulane (13-15, 4-12) on Tuesday night in Tampa, Fla.

South Florida entered the poll last week and defeated Charlotte 76-61 on the road Saturday.

"It's different, and I'm not going to give you some coach-speak that it's not," said Amir Abdur-Rahim, who's in his first season as head coach at South Florida after four seasons at Kennesaw State. "You have a different target on your back now."

After hosting the Green Wave, the Bulls will visit Tulsa on Saturday before entering the conference tournament as the top seed. Presumably an NCAA Tournament bid will follow, regardless of what happens in the AAC tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.

"There's still a lot of season left, and if you want to rest on being ranked, we aren't going to make as much noise as we can," Abdur-Rahim said.

Abdur-Rahim said he has told his players that continued success will require them to maintain "the same old boring habits" that have enabled them to win their last 14 games -- a school record -- and 20 of their last 21 games.

Their business-like victory against the 49ers ended Charlotte's eight-game home winning streak.

South Florida, which hasn't lost since Jan. 7 against UAB, hopes to make a March run reminiscent of the one conference rival Florida Atlantic made last season in reaching the Final Four.

Tulane began the season hopeful of being in the mix for the AAC title, but the Green Wave have been unable to build any momentum.

After posting a 20-11 record overall and 12-6 conference mark last season and with unanimous preseason first-team All-AAC selection Jaylen Forbes and preseason second-team selection Kevin Cross returning, Tulane was picked to finish third in the conference.

But it has had a hard time in close games.

"It's frustrating," guard Sion James said, "but at the end of the day we know who we are as a team. We know the pieces that we have, and win or lose we don't want to do it with anybody else."

The Green Wave dropped their sixth consecutive decision with a 79-73 defeat at Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

"It's frustrating for sure because losing multiple games in a row is something that we're not accustomed to as a team, something we're going to have to figure out," James said. "We just need to get one under our belt to get back on track."

Tulane, which is tied with Temple for last place in the AAC, has won just two road games all season and is 1-7 away from home in AAC play. The Green Wave will conclude the regular season at home against Wichita State on Friday.

--Field Level Media

Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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