REED’S V8 SUPERCAR ASPIRATIONS

World supercross champion Chad Reed says he wants to be driving a V8 Supercar before he turns 30.

Having just claimed the national supercross series he helped to create, the 26-year-old was back in the Hunter making his final public appearance, before flying to the US on Friday to defend his world crown.

R AND R THE BEST MEDICINE FOR NICK FLANAGAN

Lake Macquarie golfer Nick Flanagan has been cleared of serious back problems and is now preparing for a shot at next week’s Australian Open.

Having endured a tough season in the US, which saw him drop from the PGA Tour to the Nationwide series, Flanagan will use the summer at home to refocus.

CONTRASTING JET PATHS

It might have been a day off for players but administration and coaching staff at the Newcastle Jets spent the afternoon pouring over ways to add to their playing roster.

Club CEO John Tsatsimas refused to buy into reports captain Jade North could be heading overseas - but he couldn’t confirm North was staying either.

In contrast, things at the Jets W-League side couldn’t be happier.

RETURN AT ARMS LENGTH

Newcastle Knights Luke MacDougall is living proof that persistence does pay off.

Faced with a career threatening arm injury after two failed operations, he refused to give up and through research and determination, he’s finally on the road to recovery.

JETS NEED A CHANGE OF FORTUNE

The Newcastle Jets have a mounting injury toll with Jade North and Tarak Elrich both among the walking wounded.

But it’s how to lift after that finish against Adelaide that will be the job at hand this week.

KNIGHTS BRAIN STORM

It’s sounds a lofty ambition but the Newcastle Knights want to forge a name as an innovator in the world of sports training.

While making big strides of late in order to just match the resources of rival NRL clubs, Newcastle has aims of setting the standard in the future.

ANDREW PITT: WORLD CHAMP BACK HOME

World Supersport Champion, Andrew Pitt, is enjoying a short break at home before getting back on his motorbike to prepare to defend his title.

He’s been catching up with family and friends, and attending a civic reception in his honour at Kempsey.

COFFS SURF CRAFT CARNIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

On a beach inspection early Saturday organisers considered moving the Coffs Harbour Interstate Carnival to safer confines closer to the Marina’s Northern Breakwall.

Park Beach was lashed with two metres waves, and a constant flow of white wash.

After deliberations the event went ahead as planned, with the juniors ranks braving the worst of conditions.

Right throughout the morning it was a case of white wash and wipeouts.

Almost every race saw one or two crews roll over.

In the Masters event, Woolgoolga had three competitors injured by the dumping break.

Despite conditions, the Ocean Thunder crews proved there is quite clearly the best and then the rest, powering through the heats on route to Sunday’s finals.

What a difference a day can make.

The open mens and women’s final were simply flat water rowing races.

Kurrawa took the men’s title, while Mooloolaba prevailed in the open women’s.

The Coffs Harbour carnival is the first major event to open the season.

It allows crews to gauge their form against some of the nation’s best well ahead of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in Perth in March.

COFFS HARBOUR SURF CRAFT CARNIVAL RESULTS

Open Mens 1. Kurrawa 2. Dixon Park 3. Dee Why

Open Women’s 1. Moolooloaba 2. MacMasters Beach 3. Metropolitan Caloundra

U23 Mens 1. MacMasters Beach 2. Ocean Beach 3. Kurrawa

U23 Women’s 1. Palm Beach 2. Bilgola 3. Kurrawa

U19s 1. Noosa 2. Stockton 3. Kurrawa

Reserves 1. Collaroy 2. Met Caloundra Blue 3. Bilgola

Masters 1. Cudgen Headland 2. Coffs Harbour 3. Mooloolaba Elite

HELP WANTED: JETS SEARCH FOR MARQUEE STRIKER

The Newcastle Jets have admitted they need a marquee striker, and they need him yesterday.

As we reported last night, the club missed out on signing superstar Dwight Yorke and is now desperate to find a replacement who can start immediately.

JETS MISS OUT ON DWIGHT YORKE

Another blow for the Newcastle Jets today, with high profile target Dwight Yorke confirming he won’t play for the club because of international commitments.

Meanwhile the Jets returned to the training paddock to prepare for their clash with Adelaide.

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