Sports
Defending champ Alex Hall 1 of 3 US skiers through to slopestyle final
Feb 7, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Alex Hall of the United States during slopestyle freestyle skiing qualification during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images LIVIGNO, Italy — Olympic medalists Alex Hall of the United States and Jesper Tjader of Sweden made it through the freeskiing slopestyle qualifying round at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Saturday to set up a showdown in next week’s final in the Italian Alps.
Hall, the defending champion, was one of three Americans to make the field of 12 who will compete for medals in the mountain town of Livigno, near the Swiss border. His teammates Mac Forehand and Konnor Ralph also advanced.
The 27-year-old Hall sounded relieved after securing his spot in Tuesday’s final after two smooth runs under sunny skies.
“It’s always nerve-wracking during the qualifiers,” Hall said. “There is a little bit of strategy involved. You don’t want to show all your cards. You don’t want to try something too hard that you might not land.”
“In the finals, you just go all out,” he added.
The slopestyle event features skiers who slide across rails and perform aerial tricks to impress the judges with difficulty and originality. The best score from each of the two runs determines the rankings.
Tjader, the bronze medalist at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, tumbled off a rail in his initial run, putting him in danger of elimination. A strong second run vaulted the 31-year-old to third place.
“Everybody did amazing runs so I really had to step up to make the final,” Tjader said. “I’m really proud of my run. I did a few new tricks that I haven’t done on a slopestyle run before.”
Norway’s Birk Ruud, the first men’s rider of the day, executed a flawless performance and finished at the top of the pack on Saturday.
“I was just all in on the first one,” the 25-year-old said. “I was focused as if it was my only chance. It felt awesome.”
Ruud finished just ahead of fellow Norwegian Tormod Frostad. Compatriot Sebastian Schjerve finished 11th to also advance.
–Reuters, special to Field Level Media
Sports
Elvis Smylie soars to Riyadh title in LIV debut
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 5, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Elvis Smylie in action during the second round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images Elvis Smylie will be hard-pressed to outdo his LIV Golf debut.
The 23-year-old lefty from Australia outdueled Jon Rahm to capture the $30 million LIV Golf Riyadh title on Saturday at Riyadh Golf Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Smylie, who had not won outside of his home country, tapped in a 3-foot par putt under the lights to close LIV’s first 72-hole tournament at 24-under-par 264.
“I wanted to come out here and make a statement,” Smylie said. “I wanted to prove that I’m one of the best out here. And I feel like I’ve done that and it’s only up from here.”
Smylie, who entered the final round tied for the lead with Peter Uihlein, fired an 8-under 64 to edge Rahm by 1 shot. The Spaniard delivered the round of the tournament – a 63 – to push Smylie to the limit as he closed with four straight birdies.
“I think four rounds is better golf and better for the players who are playing good golf that week,” Rahm said. “It also gives you more time for a comeback, but if you’re playing good, it gives you more time to get a lead.”
Uihlein wrapped his tournament with a 5 under 67 to claim third place by himself. Belgium’s Thomas Pieters (65), Spain’s David Puig (65) and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (66) shared fourth at 268.
Not only did Smylie collect his first LIV title, he and his three teammates from Australia claimed the team title as well. Smylie, captain Cameron Smith, Lucas Herbert and Marc Leishman finished at 69 under to give Ripper GC a 3-shot win over Torque GC.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Cowboys to place franchise tag on George Pickens
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens during NFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the team’s website that Dallas wants to keep George Pickens for “a long time,” and will take a step toward that by placing the franchise tag on the Pro Bowl wide receiver, ESPN reported on Saturday.
Per the report, the fully guaranteed tag — which can be applied from Feb. 17 to March 3 — will cost the Cowboys approximately $28 million.
By placing the tag on Pickens, Dallas would limit his free agent options and up the odds that he would stay put following a 93-catch, nine-touchdown and 1,429-yard campaign — all career-high numbers. Pickens also collected his first Pro Bowl nod and earned second-team all-NFL honors per the Associated Press.
“I’m talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him,” Jones told the team website this week. “He’s better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute. I’m looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.”
Pickens, who turns 25 on March 4, is among 15 unrestricted free agents for the Cowboys — a group that includes defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and running back Javonte Williams.
Count quarterback Dak Prescott among those in Cowboys camp who want to see the former Georgia star receiver return this fall.
“I think it must be done,” Prescott said at this week’s Pro Bowl Games. “I think obviously from Jerry to everybody down understands that. The impact on this offense and the team and the great player that he is, we’ve got to find a way to keep him here.”
In four NFL seasons, including the first three with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft, Pickens has produced 267 receptions, 21 touchdowns and 4,270 receiving yards in 65 games (55 starts).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Georgia roars back from 15-point deficit, upends LSU
Jan 28, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mike White reacts during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Kanon Catchings scored 23 points, Jeremiah Wilkinson added 18 and Georgia overcame a 15-point, first-half deficit to run away from LSU 83-71 on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.
Somto Cyril scored 12 points and Blue Cain had 10 for the Bulldogs (17-6, 5-5), who ended a three-game losing streak.
Max Mackinnon scored 26, Marquel Sutton added 14 and Pablo Tamba finished with 12 rebounds and seven points to lead the Tigers (14-9, 2-8), who played their second consecutive game without starting point guard Dedan Thomas (lower leg injury).
Cain made a 3-pointer to start the second-half scoring and increase Georgia’s lead to 45-37. LSU trimmed the lead to four, but another Cain 3-pointer helped the Bulldogs push the lead to 52-43.
Georgia led by nine a second time before Mackinnon, who finished 10 of 10 at the foul line, made six free throws to help the Tigers creep within 57-53. Catchings answered with a 3-pointer that started a 10-2 run that gave the Bulldogs a 67-55 lead.
Catchings’ 3-pointer completed an 8-0 run that gave the Bulldogs a 77-60 lead with 4:15 remaining.
The lead never fell below double figures the rest of the way.
Mackinnon made two layups and a 3-pointer as LSU raced to a 9-2 lead. Georgia got within five on multiple occasions before PJ Carter made consecutive 3-pointers to complete a 10-0 spurt that gave the Tigers a 31-16 lead.
Then everything changed.
Catchings and Marcus Millender made consecutive 3-pointers to complete an 8-0 run that pulled the Bulldogs within seven. Michael Nwoko made a dunk to end the run, but Georgia scored the next five points to get within 33-29.
The Bulldogs closed within four before Mackinnon answered with a layup for LSU’s final points of the half. Wilkinson scored the first five points and added another field goal during an 11-0 spurt that left Georgia with a 42-37 halftime lead.
–Field Level Media
Elvis Smylie soars to Riyadh title in LIV debut
Report: Cowboys to place franchise tag on George Pickens
