1 Watch Boca Juniors Play River Plate in Buenos AiresDerby day in Buenos Aires makes the Old Firm game look like a primary school kick-about - and it's only a couple of quid to get in
Recommended by: Gavin Hamilton
The rivalry between Boca and River Plate is the most intense in Argentine football and, perhaps, in the whole of Latin America: the game is a riot of colour, noise and energy. Buenos Aires has the highest concentration of football teams of any city in the world. River and Boca are the two leading clubs. Boca are originally from the dockland area so their support is traditionally more working class. River moved away from the area early on in the league's history to a more upmarket district, and they have a slightly more affluent fan base, hence their nickname, Los Millionarios. One side of Boca's ground, the Estadio Alberto J Armando, is very strange. It resembles nothing so much as boxes stacked on top of each other and packed very tightly together. Its nickname, La Bonbonera (the chocolate box), is appropriate. On the day of the derby it is packed with hard-core fans.
Luge Australia - Street luge hangout for those 'down under'. Riderz.net - French based gravity sports information site including a message board. Street Luge Survival Guide - Darren Lott's street luge bible, a must read for new and old riders! Streetluging.net - French based site that features many rider interviews. The National Library of Australia's Copies Direct service lets you purchase higher quality, larger sized photocopies or electronic copies of newspapers pages. Clicking on the Order now button below will open the ordering form in a new window which will allow you to enter the details of your request.
Boca and River tend to produce the big names in Argentine football. Maradona was at Boca and a lot of star names have come from River Plate, such as Hernán Crespo. Even though they lose most of their best players to Europe, there is such passion for this match that it is unsurpassed anywhere in the world.
Gavin Hamilton is the editor of World Soccer magazine
Now go and do it:
Boca Juniors' stadium is at Brandsen 805, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires. Buses go there from all over the city but to avoid confusion a taxi might be advisable. Ticket prices range from 10-30 pesos (about £2-£6) depending on which part of the stadium you sit in and children get in for three pesos (about 60p). Tickets can be bought in advance from the ticket office or at the stadium on the day. Check the club's website, www.bocajuniors.com.ar, to see when the ticket offices open as times can vary. Tickets are sold online at www.ticketek.com.ar
Five other football derbies not to be missed:
Rangers v Celtic
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Internazionale v Milan
Fenerbahce v Galatasaray
Cairo derby: Zamalek v Al-Ahli. It is the biggest match in Africa, always attracting crowds of 60,000 to the Cairo Stadium.
2 Drive the Monaco GP Circuit in your own car
See how you would shape up against the Schumachers. And enjoy the casinos and the jet-set life while you are there
Recommended by: Murray Walker
Monaco is the one proper road circuit in grand prix racing and it's the one where the most things happen. There are some parts such as Casino Square that you couldn't really drive through in the way that the F1 boys do, but it's definitely worth following the rest of the circuit just to see the boats, the women and the sun, and imagine what it might be like to drive through at 160mph.
Now Go and Do it:
There's a good map that shows how drivers take on the sections at www.monaco.mc/monaco/gprix/circuit.html. To drive it in your own car, take the ferry or Eurotunnel across the Channel and then drive to Monaco. Otherwise, Nice is the closest airport (14 miles). There are numerous car-hire firms in the city.
3 Bag a seat at Amen corner for the US Masters
It's at the 11th, 12th and 13th - 'Amen Corner' - that the Masters is decided. Sit back among the azaleas and watch the pros tough it out
Recommended by: Nick Faldo
It's a truly beautiful place, so well manicured - every blade of grass stands to attention. Amen Corner is where it all happens at the Masters; it's where the atmosphere is best. There is so much pressure on when the players are on those holes - the fans can sense that. The play also slows down a bit there - you get a good chance to see plenty of action. There is only one stand and a hillside with loads of people crammed on to it - from where you can see the green of the 11th hole, the whole of 12 and the players teeing off on 13. I've got great memories of that stretch of holes. I won the Masters twice on the 11th hole. It's definitely my spot.The tradition at Augusta is incredible. At 7am they open the gates and the fans have to walk as fast as they can as they aren't allowed to run. They plonk their chairs down and that means it's booked for the day. I would definitely go back there to watch once my playing days are over because it's a magical place.
Nick Faldo won three US Masters from 1989 to 1996
Now Go and Do it:
You will need to be patient. Tournament or 'series' badges (Thursday through to Sunday) are sold only to those on the official Masters patron list. The list was closed due to high demand in 1972. A first waiting list began in 1972 and was closed in 1978. A new waiting list was established in 2000, but that too is now closed. One can apply for practice-round tickets, which are allocated on a random selection basis. Get your application in by 15 July 2004 to have a chance of getting to the 2005 tournament. To get on to the practice rounds mailing list, send your details to: Masters Tournament, Practice Rounds, PO Box 2047, Augusta, GA 30903-2047. Should you be lucky enough to get a ticket you need to get yourself to Atlanta or Columbia from where you can drive to the event. More information is available on the official website, www.masters.org
4 Watch a Centre Court match at Wimbledon
A real tennis connoisseur wouldn't be seen dead on Henman Hill.. and for the man himself, there's only one venue that really matters
Recommended by: Tim Henman
It's the most famous court in the world. When you reflect on all the great champions that have played on Centre Court it's an honour and a pleasure every time you have the opportunity to step out there. It is what tennis is all about. It really is awesome. I love hitting balls and competing wherever I am in the world but it doesn't get any better than this. Looking at it now, it seems quite small compared with, say, Roland Garros or Melbourne Park, which are so huge, but it has a lasting impact on you. My best experience was my first, when I beat the fourth seed and reigning French Open champion, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, 7-5 in the fifth. I managed to save two match points, with two aces, and it was a very special moment for me. I hope I can win the tournament on that court.
Now Go and Do it:
Introduced in 1924, the All England club public ballot is the most common way to get tickets. Entering the ballot, however, doesn't guarantee a seat on Centre Court or even a ticket to Wimbledon, as tickets are allocated at random, nowadays by computer. Furthermore, it is not possible to request tickets for specific days or courts. The price of a Centre Court ticket increases as the tournament progresses: on the Monday of the first week it will cost £28 and that price rises to £72 for the final
Sunday of the tournament. Unfortunately, the public ballot for this year's competition closed on 31 December 2003. If the ballot does not go your way, or you missed it, a limited number of tickets are retained for sale on the day of play. The queues tend to be so long, though, that people spend the night on the street to get in. The grounds open at 10:30am and play starts at 1pm on Centre Court. Details of how to enter the ballot will be released later in the year on the official website at wimbledon.org/en_GB/about/tickets/ticket2004.html or call 0208 971 2473, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
5 Go to watch the 100-metre Olympic final
It's all over in a mere 10 seconds - but the intensity of the rivalry between the fastest humans on the planet makes this a must-see
Recommended by: Stuart Storey
I saw my first final in 1968. Everyone is nervous and it is fascinating how the real champions handle the pressure. A hush comes over the crowd. Then there is this eerie silence as the athletes rise into the set position. As soon as they take off the stadium erupts. The race is over so quickly, but that's its appeal - not allowing anyone the chance to recover from the slightest error.
Stuart Storey commentates on athletics for the BBC
Now go and do it:
The 2004 Athens Olympics start on 13 August. Tickets are on sale on a first come first served basis. The men's 100m final is on 22 August. Tickets for that day will cost from 40-90 Euros.
6 Ski the Hahnenkamm downhill course at Kitzbuehel, austria
One of the world's most exhilarating ski runs is open to the public the day after competition - and the ambulances are always kept busy
Recommended by: Konrad Bartelski
It's comfortably the toughest piece of skiing you'll come across. If you're not equipped properly it could be one of the last things you do before you die. It's hard, icy and steep and you're travelling at 90mph. You're like a shuttlecock in a tornado. James Hunt took one look at it and said: 'Forget it, mate!' The blood wagon always sees plenty of action when the public have their turn.
Konrad Bartelski is a former British number one downhill skier. He commentates for Channel 4 Skiing
Now Go and Do it:
Information on the 2005 event is available at www.hahnenkamm.com
7 Watch a fight at Madison Square Garden
'The Garden' has hosted some of boxing's best bouts, not least 'The Fight of the Century' in 1971 when Frazier beat Ali over 15 rounds
Recommended by: Frank Maloney
If you're a boxer, a manager or a promoter, then to be involved in a fight at Madison is the equivalent of playing in a World Cup final. You're talking about a place that has hosted some of the best contests in boxing. I promoted the Lennox Lewis-Michael Grant world title fight there while I was Lennox's manager - it was probably one of the proudest nights of my life. Frank Maloney is one of boxing's top managers
Now Go and Do it:
Situated at the heart of Manhattan on 7th Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets. Tickets for a night of title fights later this month on 17 April can still be purchased online from www.thegarden.com
8 Watch the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne cricket ground
Sport on 26 December is as much of a fixture in the Australian social calendar as Dame Edna's birthday
Recommended by: Bob Willis
The MCG is an amazing venue, and the Boxing Day Test is one of the biggest occasions in the sporting world. I played there in front of 84,000 people in those high-banked stands - just awe-inspiring. Whenever I fielded down in front of Bay 13 the Aussie fans gave me a pretty hard time. As I ran up to bowl they'd chant: 'Willis, weak as piss; Willis, weak as piss.' They were limited to 24 cans of beer each but would fill up their empty tinnies with another warm liquid and then throw them at the nearest outfielder. That's all changed now, but I always tried to humour them. It seems to take forever to get to the middle when you're walking out to bat, making it all very tense. You walk in the shade for about 80 metres then hit this wall of sunshine - it's also one of the hottest places I've ever played.
I still look forward to going back to Melbourne - the Boxing Day Test is an incredible occasion. Now, especially as they are rebuilding it ahead of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The MCG will look sensational when it's finished. Bob Willis played six Tests for England at the MCG. He is now a commentator on Sky Sports
Now Go and Do it:
Tickets go on sale in September. Call Ticketmaster7 on 0061 136 100 or book online at www.ticketmaster7.com. Reserved seats are A$30 to A$40 (£13-£17). Discount tickets for families and other concessions are available and tickets can be bought on the day, if available, for as little as A$17.
Five other great cricket venues:
Lord's, London Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad Newlands, Cape Town International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka New Road, Worcester
9 Take part in the world's biggest mass football match
A trip to the Orkney Isles at Christmas could see you stepping out - with about 500 others - for a game that is like no other
On Christmas Day and Hogmanay, the men of Kirkwall, Orkney, participate in the Ba', a mass football game between the two sides of the town: the 'Uppies', born south of the cathedral in the Laverock ('up-the-gates') and the 'Doonies', born north of the cathedral in Burgh ('doon-the-gates').
Each side must carry the ba' into their own territories at the opposite end of Kirkwall. The Uppies' aim is to touch the ba' against a wall at the south end of town; the Doonies have to get the ba' into the water of the harbour to the north. Cue mayhem.
Now go and do it: Log on to www.visitorkney.com or telephone 01856 872 856.
10 Do the Cresta run in St Moritz
If you're brave or stupid and an adrenaline junkie, then the 88mph, headfirst slide down the icy canal on a luge should suit you down to the ground
The Cresta Run normally opens two or three days just before Christmas and continues until the end of February. It is a private club, although male non- members are welcome (women, sadly, are not). You will have to apply for temporary membership to ride in the early mornings on certain days, and this will last until the end of the season, entitling you to up to five rides on the run. Supplementary membership costs around 450 Swiss francs (£190). Visit www.cresta-run.com to book.
Packages from Original Travel start at £1,250 per person including four nights at the luxury five-star Kempinski hotel, St Moritz, on a half-board basis, return flights from London to Zurich, five runs on the Cresta, instruction and annual temporary membership of the Cresta Run itself, plus car hire for the duration from Zurich. To book telephone Original Travel on 0207 978 7333, fax them on 0207 978 7222, or you can visit www.originaltravel.co.uk for more details.
11 Work out in the world famous Kronk gym
Could you punch your way out of a paper bag? Learn the ropes, and fall on them too, at the world's premier fight club
Recommended by Emmanuel Steward
Once you've paid your membership fee, we ask you to come back the next day with your shorts and running shoes and get you working on your balance. After a few days of that, we'll have you punching the bag, before shadow-boxing, then we'll put you in the ring. It's very hard to tell straight away if a guy's got potential. Some are great in the gym, but can't cope with real confrontation. The bottom line is that if you're not mentally tough enough you'll never make it.
Emmanuel Steward has been running Kronk's since 1971.
Now go and do it:
If you are over eight you can train at the gym that has guided 29 world champions. Graduates include Thomas Hearns, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis. Pay the $34 (£18) joining fee ($26 up to age 16), bring your own jump rope and gloves and start hitting things. Call 001 313 532 6971 or visit www.kronkgym.com. Alternatively, if your budget is limited, you will find a Kronk Gym in Kentish Town (25-27 Talacre Road, London, telephone 0207 424 0141).
12 Run the New York Marathon
It's more glitzy and more glamorous than London and, mercifully, you won't run into Hazel Irvine interviewing Jimmy Savile on the streets
If Sean 'Puff Daddy'P Diddy' Combs can do it, so can you. The notorious rapper and sometime fashion designer clocked in at 4 hours, 14 minutes and 54 seconds last year and raised over $1m for charidee. Beat that Savile! Other celebrities to have trod 26 miles of Manhattan pavement include Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Jim Carrey and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Now go and do it:
This year's race takes place on 7 November. International residents will have to pay $115 and a $7 processing fee (£66 in total). It is advisable to get your application in as soon as possible because, unless you are eligible for guaranteed entry (see www.ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/2004howto.html ), not all applications will be successful. Also make sure you are over 18 on the day of the race. Tel: 001 212 423 2242; e-mail: international@nyrrc.org.
Post-race pamper: Stay at the Mandarin Oriental, one of the city's most sophisticated hotels, with breathtaking views of the city. Feast yourselves on French-Japanese fare or rehydrate in the chic MObar, both created by noted designer Tony Chi at 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA. www.mandarinoriental.com, UK toll free booking number is 00-800-28-28-38-38
NY marathon too boring for you? Try the world's weirdest runs:
Marathon Des Sables: 9 April 2004. Covers around 140 miles of the Sahara Desert over six days including one non-stop 50-mile stage. Temperatures reach up to 120F (49C). Visit www.daraboud.com
Great Wall marathon: 22 May 2004. Granite stone underfoot and steep climbs and descents. Tel: 001 800 444 4097.
Antarctica marathon: 26 Feb 2005. Tel: 001 617 242 7845 or email: marathon@shore.net
13 Ride a stage of Le Tour De France
Watching Le Tour is like chasing a shadow, so why not ride it? Take on L'Ëtape du Tour and show 'em what you're made of
Recommended by: William Fotheringham
It's the one stage of the tour that is open to amateur riders every year (the real tour covers it a week later). Roads are closed, as they are for the rest of the tour, and you have a police escort. The last time I did it I went on the stage from Pau to Bayonne; it was around 200 km. It took eight and a quarter hours not including rests. I probably spent about half an hour resting. I've done it twice and the first time was much better than the second time. There were some great moments, such as when you reach the top of the first mountain and can see the whole of the south of France stretched out before you. It is a thrill to ride on a closed road with 7,000 other riders. At times, I was so tired I couldn't eat. If you're not a professional cyclist, it's probably the best thing you can do on a bike. The event is invariably oversubscribed and entry is strictly limited. Every cycling fan should do it once in their life. But it's desperately difficult, not something to do simply for a laugh. I for one will never do it again.
William Fotheringham is a writer on cycling
Now go and do it:
This year's race will take place on 11 July, between Limoges and Saint-Flour, a 150-mile course over the mountains of the Auvergne. Go to www.letapedutour.com in January next year to check out details of the 2005 race.
14 Base jump - aka throwing yourself off a tall building
Statues of Jesus, golden gated bridges, your gran's greenhouse: where will you make your first leap of faith?
Recommended by Felix Baumgartner
The most spectacular jump I ever did was off the Christ of the Andes statue outside Rio (see photograph, right). Because of terrible wind and rain we had to delay for four days, by which time my spirits were low, but eventually I did the jump at 4am. Then we partied. The feeling you have after surviving a situation where you could have died is hard to explain unless you have done it. Some people like to jump straight off when they're at the top, but I like to stand there and absorb it all. The building or mountain will still be there the next day. Before base jumping, you should do about 250 skydives to get used to the feeling of freefalling. Make sure you pack your parachute correctly and always use knee and elbow pads and a helmet.
Now go and do it:
Most base jumps are actually illegal so your best bet is probably the 25th annual Bridge Day in West Virginia. The biggest legal base jump in the world takes place on 16 October this year. For more information, call 001 800 927 0263 or go to www.wvbridgeday.com. You will need to bring your own equipment. Call Basic Research on 001 909 940 1324 or visit www.basicresearch.com
15 Watch non-stop sport on TV for a whole weekend
The cheapest box you'll tick in this list, but no less vital and enjoyable for that. Everyone must do the TV marathon at least once in their life
The weekend of 3 to 4 July 2004 is perfect for your television marathon. There's the Wimbledon Ladies' and Men's finals, as well as the Euro 2004 final. What price an English representation in one of these? If that's not enough to keep you occupied, there are also one-day internationals featuring England, West Indies and New Zealand, a Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka through the night from Darwin, the opening stages of the Tour de France and the final rounds of golf's European Open. Oh, and when you've got a spare moment, why not read the latest OSM , hot off the presses? That just leaves you three months to persuade your partner to visit the family that weekend.
16 Dive the Blue Hole In Belize
Belize's Blue Hole, the largest ocean sinkhole, was created by the collapse of an underground cavern. It remains the world's ultimate dive
Now go do it:
To make a full trip of the Blue Hole from the UK isn't cheap. It costs around £1,500 per person including flight, transfers and accommodation. However, this once-in-a-lifetime trip does include: one night in Miami staying at the Surf Commer hotel on the outward journey, then four nights at the Victoria House, from where you head out by boat to get to the Blue Hole. The price also includes three nights at Chaa Creek Cottages in Cayo district, as with the other hotels, on a B&B basis. This hotel is inland and from here you can go hiking, canoeing, walking and riding, mountain biking or swimming in the Macal river or just relax in their spa. Diving is $90 per person for two dives (normally you do two per day). Cheaper packages can be arranged for four nights for around £660 per person. Contact Scott Dunn Latin America on 020 8682 5030 or visit www.scottdunn.com .
Four other incredible dives:
1. The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
2. The Red Sea, Dahab, Egypt
3. The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
4. Little Cayman, the Cayman Islands
17 Have a flutter at the Melbourne cup
Join the Aussies for a racing festival where the booze consumption makes Cheltenham look like an AA meeting
Recommended by: Jim Mcgrath
The Melbourne Cup is not just a race, it's a national celebration - one of the great sporting occasions. I know it's a clichË but it really is the race that stops a nation. Absolutely nothing happens anywhere in Australia during the 30 minutes around the Melbourne Cup. It is unique in the way that the people get caught up in the atmosphere. Even in Sydney people hold Melbourne Cup parties and the girls dress up as if they are going to Flemington. Every man, woman and child has to have a bet, too. It might not be the best race in terms of quality - it's a two-mile Flat handicap usually run on fast ground - but as an event it's wonderful a bit like crossing the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National but with twice as many people. And the atmosphere is always electric. Jim McGrath commentates for the BBC and goes to the Melbourne Cup every year
Now go do it:
A week-long celebration in the opening week of November (Melbourne Cup day is the first Tuesday, with the race at 3.20pm) that encompasses four race days and attracts more than 120,000 spectators. Admission for individual days should only cost around A$20-A$40 (£8-£16). However, more exclusive four-day packages, which will provide covered seating in the Hill Stand, could cost A$340 (£140). Tickets for next year's carnival are not on sale yet, but for more information go to the Victoria Racing Club's website, www.vrc.net.au
18 Play the old course at St Andrews
Untamed and unchanged for centuries, the Old Course remains the stiffest golfing challenge for any player
Recommended by: Nick Faldo
It's the only golf course I know that's really got atmosphere all year round, even when there's not a tournament on. There's definitely something electric in the air there. It's all so special - there are those huge double greens; all the named bunkers; and the Swilken Bridge - most of the world's famous golfers have walked over that little brick bridge. I remember coming over it on the last day when I won in 1990 - with the noise of the crowd swirling round that natural arena. It was one of the most incredible feelings I have ever had on a golf course. Then of course there's the lovely old town itself, wrapped lovingly around the 18th hole.
I first played it in 1978, the year Jack Nicklaus won the Open there, and I loved it instantly. A friend at the Royal & Ancient had given me a detailed plan of how to play the course and that was right up my street, all the strategy that was required; playing up other fairways to get the right position; all the strange shots you need to master; the unpredictable weather conditions. The scare factor of 17, the road hole, is incredible. It is a truly daunting hole. If you had one round of golf to play in your life, it should be at St Andrews. It's almost as if the course has a life of its own - there's so much more to it than simply golf. Nick Faldo has won six major championships, including the Open at St Andrews in 1990
Now go do it:
There are a number of ways you can secure a starting time on the Old Course. You can apply up to two years in advance, but no later than 30 June of the year before the date you wish to play. There is also a daily ballot that determines over 50 per cent of visitor times. Players may register up to 2pm. The results are posted by 4pm and enable successful applicants to play the following day. However, if you turn up at around 5:30am and register with the starter, you might be slotted into a foursome going out that morning. Arrive prepared: you will need the green fee (£75 to £110 depending on the time of year) and a current handicap certificate of 24 or better (36 for ladies). Visit www.standrews.org.uk and telephone 01334 466 666 or 01334 477 036 for reservations.
Five other courses you must play:
Pebble Beach, California, USA
Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
Valderrama, Spain
Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada
Leopard Rock, Zimbabwe
19 Get a front-row seat at a Los Angeles Lakers game
DiCaprio, Pitt, Carrey and, of course, Spike Lee and Big Jack: you will be in fine company if you manage to bag a couple of seats courtside
Recommended by: Jack Nicholson
Watching the Lakers is my main passion and it gets me out of the house. It's like wine; every season's different. They've always had good fans here in LA, smart basketball fans. People seem to think Lakers fans are not ardent enough, but part of it is about being cool. I'll tell you, it's a great evening out.
Now go and do it:
Despite the expense ($1,900) courtside tickets are not easy to obtain. Try the LA Lakers ticket exchange, where it is possible to buy tickets from season-ticket holders. See teamexchange.ticketmaster.com for details.
20 Play elephant polo in Nepal
Climb onto Jumbo and scale the heights of eccentric sporting endeavour on your newest four-legged friend
Elephant polo was first played by Mogul Indian kings but was reinvented in 1982 by two passionate polo players, Jim Edwards (an Englishman) and James Mann-Clark (a Scotsman) in a bar in Switzerland when both wanted to try out a more interesting and adventurous form of their sport.
The first elephant polo tournament was held in Thailand in 2001 at Hua Hin. A two 10-minute chukka game will consist of two teams of three elephants, each of which carries a polo player and a mahout. The mahouts are to direct elephants while the players play with a regular polo ball and a specially made elongated stick, which is something between 78 and 110 inches long, depending on the height of the elephant.
Now go and do it:
To play elephant polo as a guest of Tiger Mountain Group, you must reserve your place by logging on to auction-air.com/auction_2003_SepOct/lot126.htmland enter the auction. The trip is worth £6,000 and goes to the highest bidder over £300. A week-long trip includes a stay in the Tiger Tops jungle lodge, the chance to see a number of polo matches and expert tuition from the players themselves so that you can take part in the 'visitors match'. Log on now to enter the 2004 auction.
Four other sports with animals
1. Play golf among kangaroos at the Anglesea coursein Victoria, Australia.
2. Take part in an ostrich race, at the BC Ranch in Montana, USA.
3. Try the 150-metre camel sprints at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
4. Go to watch the snail racing in Staffordshire. Snails compete in threedisciplines: the 'Half-Yard Sprint', the 'Three-Yard Endurance' or the challenging 'One-Yard Steeplechase'.
- Author: admin
- Category: Category
Derby day in Buenos Aires makes the Old Firm game look like a primary school kick-about - and it's only a couple of quid to get in
Recommended by: Gavin Hamilton
The rivalry between Boca and River Plate is the most intense in Argentine football and, perhaps, in the whole of Latin America: the game is a riot of colour, noise and energy. Buenos Aires has the highest concentration of football teams of any city in the world. River and Boca are the two leading clubs. Boca are originally from the dockland area so their support is traditionally more working class. River moved away from the area early on in the league's history to a more upmarket district, and they have a slightly more affluent fan base, hence their nickname, Los Millionarios. One side of Boca's ground, the Estadio Alberto J Armando, is very strange. It resembles nothing so much as boxes stacked on top of each other and packed very tightly together. Its nickname, La Bonbonera (the chocolate box), is appropriate. On the day of the derby it is packed with hard-core fans.
Luge Australia - Street luge hangout for those 'down under'. Riderz.net - French based gravity sports information site including a message board. Street Luge Survival Guide - Darren Lott's street luge bible, a must read for new and old riders! Streetluging.net - French based site that features many rider interviews. The National Library of Australia's Copies Direct service lets you purchase higher quality, larger sized photocopies or electronic copies of newspapers pages. Clicking on the Order now button below will open the ordering form in a new window which will allow you to enter the details of your request.
Boca and River tend to produce the big names in Argentine football. Maradona was at Boca and a lot of star names have come from River Plate, such as Hernán Crespo. Even though they lose most of their best players to Europe, there is such passion for this match that it is unsurpassed anywhere in the world.
Gavin Hamilton is the editor of World Soccer magazine
Now go and do it:
Boca Juniors' stadium is at Brandsen 805, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires. Buses go there from all over the city but to avoid confusion a taxi might be advisable. Ticket prices range from 10-30 pesos (about £2-£6) depending on which part of the stadium you sit in and children get in for three pesos (about 60p). Tickets can be bought in advance from the ticket office or at the stadium on the day. Check the club's website, www.bocajuniors.com.ar, to see when the ticket offices open as times can vary. Tickets are sold online at www.ticketek.com.ar
Five other football derbies not to be missed:
Rangers v Celtic
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Internazionale v Milan
Fenerbahce v Galatasaray
Cairo derby: Zamalek v Al-Ahli. It is the biggest match in Africa, always attracting crowds of 60,000 to the Cairo Stadium.
2 Drive the Monaco GP Circuit in your own car
See how you would shape up against the Schumachers. And enjoy the casinos and the jet-set life while you are there
Recommended by: Murray Walker
Monaco is the one proper road circuit in grand prix racing and it's the one where the most things happen. There are some parts such as Casino Square that you couldn't really drive through in the way that the F1 boys do, but it's definitely worth following the rest of the circuit just to see the boats, the women and the sun, and imagine what it might be like to drive through at 160mph.
Now Go and Do it:
There's a good map that shows how drivers take on the sections at www.monaco.mc/monaco/gprix/circuit.html. To drive it in your own car, take the ferry or Eurotunnel across the Channel and then drive to Monaco. Otherwise, Nice is the closest airport (14 miles). There are numerous car-hire firms in the city.
3 Bag a seat at Amen corner for the US Masters
It's at the 11th, 12th and 13th - 'Amen Corner' - that the Masters is decided. Sit back among the azaleas and watch the pros tough it out
Recommended by: Nick Faldo
It's a truly beautiful place, so well manicured - every blade of grass stands to attention. Amen Corner is where it all happens at the Masters; it's where the atmosphere is best. There is so much pressure on when the players are on those holes - the fans can sense that. The play also slows down a bit there - you get a good chance to see plenty of action. There is only one stand and a hillside with loads of people crammed on to it - from where you can see the green of the 11th hole, the whole of 12 and the players teeing off on 13. I've got great memories of that stretch of holes. I won the Masters twice on the 11th hole. It's definitely my spot.The tradition at Augusta is incredible. At 7am they open the gates and the fans have to walk as fast as they can as they aren't allowed to run. They plonk their chairs down and that means it's booked for the day. I would definitely go back there to watch once my playing days are over because it's a magical place.
Nick Faldo won three US Masters from 1989 to 1996
Now Go and Do it:
You will need to be patient. Tournament or 'series' badges (Thursday through to Sunday) are sold only to those on the official Masters patron list. The list was closed due to high demand in 1972. A first waiting list began in 1972 and was closed in 1978. A new waiting list was established in 2000, but that too is now closed. One can apply for practice-round tickets, which are allocated on a random selection basis. Get your application in by 15 July 2004 to have a chance of getting to the 2005 tournament. To get on to the practice rounds mailing list, send your details to: Masters Tournament, Practice Rounds, PO Box 2047, Augusta, GA 30903-2047. Should you be lucky enough to get a ticket you need to get yourself to Atlanta or Columbia from where you can drive to the event. More information is available on the official website, www.masters.org
4 Watch a Centre Court match at Wimbledon
A real tennis connoisseur wouldn't be seen dead on Henman Hill.. and for the man himself, there's only one venue that really matters
Recommended by: Tim Henman
It's the most famous court in the world. When you reflect on all the great champions that have played on Centre Court it's an honour and a pleasure every time you have the opportunity to step out there. It is what tennis is all about. It really is awesome. I love hitting balls and competing wherever I am in the world but it doesn't get any better than this. Looking at it now, it seems quite small compared with, say, Roland Garros or Melbourne Park, which are so huge, but it has a lasting impact on you. My best experience was my first, when I beat the fourth seed and reigning French Open champion, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, 7-5 in the fifth. I managed to save two match points, with two aces, and it was a very special moment for me. I hope I can win the tournament on that court.
Now Go and Do it:
Introduced in 1924, the All England club public ballot is the most common way to get tickets. Entering the ballot, however, doesn't guarantee a seat on Centre Court or even a ticket to Wimbledon, as tickets are allocated at random, nowadays by computer. Furthermore, it is not possible to request tickets for specific days or courts. The price of a Centre Court ticket increases as the tournament progresses: on the Monday of the first week it will cost £28 and that price rises to £72 for the final
Sunday of the tournament. Unfortunately, the public ballot for this year's competition closed on 31 December 2003. If the ballot does not go your way, or you missed it, a limited number of tickets are retained for sale on the day of play. The queues tend to be so long, though, that people spend the night on the street to get in. The grounds open at 10:30am and play starts at 1pm on Centre Court. Details of how to enter the ballot will be released later in the year on the official website at wimbledon.org/en_GB/about/tickets/ticket2004.html or call 0208 971 2473, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
5 Go to watch the 100-metre Olympic final
It's all over in a mere 10 seconds - but the intensity of the rivalry between the fastest humans on the planet makes this a must-see
Recommended by: Stuart Storey
I saw my first final in 1968. Everyone is nervous and it is fascinating how the real champions handle the pressure. A hush comes over the crowd. Then there is this eerie silence as the athletes rise into the set position. As soon as they take off the stadium erupts. The race is over so quickly, but that's its appeal - not allowing anyone the chance to recover from the slightest error.
Stuart Storey commentates on athletics for the BBC
Now go and do it:
The 2004 Athens Olympics start on 13 August. Tickets are on sale on a first come first served basis. The men's 100m final is on 22 August. Tickets for that day will cost from 40-90 Euros.
6 Ski the Hahnenkamm downhill course at Kitzbuehel, austria
One of the world's most exhilarating ski runs is open to the public the day after competition - and the ambulances are always kept busy
Recommended by: Konrad Bartelski
It's comfortably the toughest piece of skiing you'll come across. If you're not equipped properly it could be one of the last things you do before you die. It's hard, icy and steep and you're travelling at 90mph. You're like a shuttlecock in a tornado. James Hunt took one look at it and said: 'Forget it, mate!' The blood wagon always sees plenty of action when the public have their turn.
Konrad Bartelski is a former British number one downhill skier. He commentates for Channel 4 Skiing
Now Go and Do it:
Information on the 2005 event is available at www.hahnenkamm.com
7 Watch a fight at Madison Square Garden
'The Garden' has hosted some of boxing's best bouts, not least 'The Fight of the Century' in 1971 when Frazier beat Ali over 15 rounds
Recommended by: Frank Maloney
If you're a boxer, a manager or a promoter, then to be involved in a fight at Madison is the equivalent of playing in a World Cup final. You're talking about a place that has hosted some of the best contests in boxing. I promoted the Lennox Lewis-Michael Grant world title fight there while I was Lennox's manager - it was probably one of the proudest nights of my life. Frank Maloney is one of boxing's top managers
Now Go and Do it:
Situated at the heart of Manhattan on 7th Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets. Tickets for a night of title fights later this month on 17 April can still be purchased online from www.thegarden.com
8 Watch the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne cricket ground
Sport on 26 December is as much of a fixture in the Australian social calendar as Dame Edna's birthday
Recommended by: Bob Willis
The MCG is an amazing venue, and the Boxing Day Test is one of the biggest occasions in the sporting world. I played there in front of 84,000 people in those high-banked stands - just awe-inspiring. Whenever I fielded down in front of Bay 13 the Aussie fans gave me a pretty hard time. As I ran up to bowl they'd chant: 'Willis, weak as piss; Willis, weak as piss.' They were limited to 24 cans of beer each but would fill up their empty tinnies with another warm liquid and then throw them at the nearest outfielder. That's all changed now, but I always tried to humour them. It seems to take forever to get to the middle when you're walking out to bat, making it all very tense. You walk in the shade for about 80 metres then hit this wall of sunshine - it's also one of the hottest places I've ever played.
I still look forward to going back to Melbourne - the Boxing Day Test is an incredible occasion. Now, especially as they are rebuilding it ahead of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The MCG will look sensational when it's finished. Bob Willis played six Tests for England at the MCG. He is now a commentator on Sky Sports
Now Go and Do it:
Tickets go on sale in September. Call Ticketmaster7 on 0061 136 100 or book online at www.ticketmaster7.com. Reserved seats are A$30 to A$40 (£13-£17). Discount tickets for families and other concessions are available and tickets can be bought on the day, if available, for as little as A$17.
Five other great cricket venues:
Lord's, London Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad Newlands, Cape Town International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka New Road, Worcester
9 Take part in the world's biggest mass football match
A trip to the Orkney Isles at Christmas could see you stepping out - with about 500 others - for a game that is like no other
On Christmas Day and Hogmanay, the men of Kirkwall, Orkney, participate in the Ba', a mass football game between the two sides of the town: the 'Uppies', born south of the cathedral in the Laverock ('up-the-gates') and the 'Doonies', born north of the cathedral in Burgh ('doon-the-gates').
Each side must carry the ba' into their own territories at the opposite end of Kirkwall. The Uppies' aim is to touch the ba' against a wall at the south end of town; the Doonies have to get the ba' into the water of the harbour to the north. Cue mayhem.
Now go and do it: Log on to www.visitorkney.com or telephone 01856 872 856.
10 Do the Cresta run in St Moritz
If you're brave or stupid and an adrenaline junkie, then the 88mph, headfirst slide down the icy canal on a luge should suit you down to the ground
The Cresta Run normally opens two or three days just before Christmas and continues until the end of February. It is a private club, although male non- members are welcome (women, sadly, are not). You will have to apply for temporary membership to ride in the early mornings on certain days, and this will last until the end of the season, entitling you to up to five rides on the run. Supplementary membership costs around 450 Swiss francs (£190). Visit www.cresta-run.com to book.
Packages from Original Travel start at £1,250 per person including four nights at the luxury five-star Kempinski hotel, St Moritz, on a half-board basis, return flights from London to Zurich, five runs on the Cresta, instruction and annual temporary membership of the Cresta Run itself, plus car hire for the duration from Zurich. To book telephone Original Travel on 0207 978 7333, fax them on 0207 978 7222, or you can visit www.originaltravel.co.uk for more details.
11 Work out in the world famous Kronk gym
Could you punch your way out of a paper bag? Learn the ropes, and fall on them too, at the world's premier fight club
Recommended by Emmanuel Steward
Once you've paid your membership fee, we ask you to come back the next day with your shorts and running shoes and get you working on your balance. After a few days of that, we'll have you punching the bag, before shadow-boxing, then we'll put you in the ring. It's very hard to tell straight away if a guy's got potential. Some are great in the gym, but can't cope with real confrontation. The bottom line is that if you're not mentally tough enough you'll never make it.
Emmanuel Steward has been running Kronk's since 1971.
Now go and do it:
If you are over eight you can train at the gym that has guided 29 world champions. Graduates include Thomas Hearns, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis. Pay the $34 (£18) joining fee ($26 up to age 16), bring your own jump rope and gloves and start hitting things. Call 001 313 532 6971 or visit www.kronkgym.com. Alternatively, if your budget is limited, you will find a Kronk Gym in Kentish Town (25-27 Talacre Road, London, telephone 0207 424 0141).
12 Run the New York Marathon
It's more glitzy and more glamorous than London and, mercifully, you won't run into Hazel Irvine interviewing Jimmy Savile on the streets
If Sean 'Puff Daddy'P Diddy' Combs can do it, so can you. The notorious rapper and sometime fashion designer clocked in at 4 hours, 14 minutes and 54 seconds last year and raised over $1m for charidee. Beat that Savile! Other celebrities to have trod 26 miles of Manhattan pavement include Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Jim Carrey and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Now go and do it:
This year's race takes place on 7 November. International residents will have to pay $115 and a $7 processing fee (£66 in total). It is advisable to get your application in as soon as possible because, unless you are eligible for guaranteed entry (see www.ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/2004howto.html ), not all applications will be successful. Also make sure you are over 18 on the day of the race. Tel: 001 212 423 2242; e-mail: international@nyrrc.org.
Post-race pamper: Stay at the Mandarin Oriental, one of the city's most sophisticated hotels, with breathtaking views of the city. Feast yourselves on French-Japanese fare or rehydrate in the chic MObar, both created by noted designer Tony Chi at 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA. www.mandarinoriental.com, UK toll free booking number is 00-800-28-28-38-38
NY marathon too boring for you? Try the world's weirdest runs:
Marathon Des Sables: 9 April 2004. Covers around 140 miles of the Sahara Desert over six days including one non-stop 50-mile stage. Temperatures reach up to 120F (49C). Visit www.daraboud.com
Great Wall marathon: 22 May 2004. Granite stone underfoot and steep climbs and descents. Tel: 001 800 444 4097.
Antarctica marathon: 26 Feb 2005. Tel: 001 617 242 7845 or email: marathon@shore.net
13 Ride a stage of Le Tour De France
Watching Le Tour is like chasing a shadow, so why not ride it? Take on L'Ëtape du Tour and show 'em what you're made of
Recommended by: William Fotheringham
It's the one stage of the tour that is open to amateur riders every year (the real tour covers it a week later). Roads are closed, as they are for the rest of the tour, and you have a police escort. The last time I did it I went on the stage from Pau to Bayonne; it was around 200 km. It took eight and a quarter hours not including rests. I probably spent about half an hour resting. I've done it twice and the first time was much better than the second time. There were some great moments, such as when you reach the top of the first mountain and can see the whole of the south of France stretched out before you. It is a thrill to ride on a closed road with 7,000 other riders. At times, I was so tired I couldn't eat. If you're not a professional cyclist, it's probably the best thing you can do on a bike. The event is invariably oversubscribed and entry is strictly limited. Every cycling fan should do it once in their life. But it's desperately difficult, not something to do simply for a laugh. I for one will never do it again.
William Fotheringham is a writer on cycling
Now go and do it:
This year's race will take place on 11 July, between Limoges and Saint-Flour, a 150-mile course over the mountains of the Auvergne. Go to www.letapedutour.com in January next year to check out details of the 2005 race.
14 Base jump - aka throwing yourself off a tall building
Statues of Jesus, golden gated bridges, your gran's greenhouse: where will you make your first leap of faith?
Recommended by Felix Baumgartner
The most spectacular jump I ever did was off the Christ of the Andes statue outside Rio (see photograph, right). Because of terrible wind and rain we had to delay for four days, by which time my spirits were low, but eventually I did the jump at 4am. Then we partied. The feeling you have after surviving a situation where you could have died is hard to explain unless you have done it. Some people like to jump straight off when they're at the top, but I like to stand there and absorb it all. The building or mountain will still be there the next day. Before base jumping, you should do about 250 skydives to get used to the feeling of freefalling. Make sure you pack your parachute correctly and always use knee and elbow pads and a helmet.
Now go and do it:
Most base jumps are actually illegal so your best bet is probably the 25th annual Bridge Day in West Virginia. The biggest legal base jump in the world takes place on 16 October this year. For more information, call 001 800 927 0263 or go to www.wvbridgeday.com. You will need to bring your own equipment. Call Basic Research on 001 909 940 1324 or visit www.basicresearch.com
15 Watch non-stop sport on TV for a whole weekend
The cheapest box you'll tick in this list, but no less vital and enjoyable for that. Everyone must do the TV marathon at least once in their life
The weekend of 3 to 4 July 2004 is perfect for your television marathon. There's the Wimbledon Ladies' and Men's finals, as well as the Euro 2004 final. What price an English representation in one of these? If that's not enough to keep you occupied, there are also one-day internationals featuring England, West Indies and New Zealand, a Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka through the night from Darwin, the opening stages of the Tour de France and the final rounds of golf's European Open. Oh, and when you've got a spare moment, why not read the latest OSM , hot off the presses? That just leaves you three months to persuade your partner to visit the family that weekend.
16 Dive the Blue Hole In Belize
Belize's Blue Hole, the largest ocean sinkhole, was created by the collapse of an underground cavern. It remains the world's ultimate dive
Now go do it:
To make a full trip of the Blue Hole from the UK isn't cheap. It costs around £1,500 per person including flight, transfers and accommodation. However, this once-in-a-lifetime trip does include: one night in Miami staying at the Surf Commer hotel on the outward journey, then four nights at the Victoria House, from where you head out by boat to get to the Blue Hole. The price also includes three nights at Chaa Creek Cottages in Cayo district, as with the other hotels, on a B&B basis. This hotel is inland and from here you can go hiking, canoeing, walking and riding, mountain biking or swimming in the Macal river or just relax in their spa. Diving is $90 per person for two dives (normally you do two per day). Cheaper packages can be arranged for four nights for around £660 per person. Contact Scott Dunn Latin America on 020 8682 5030 or visit www.scottdunn.com .
Four other incredible dives:
1. The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
2. The Red Sea, Dahab, Egypt
3. The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
4. Little Cayman, the Cayman Islands
17 Have a flutter at the Melbourne cup
Join the Aussies for a racing festival where the booze consumption makes Cheltenham look like an AA meeting
Recommended by: Jim Mcgrath
The Melbourne Cup is not just a race, it's a national celebration - one of the great sporting occasions. I know it's a clichË but it really is the race that stops a nation. Absolutely nothing happens anywhere in Australia during the 30 minutes around the Melbourne Cup. It is unique in the way that the people get caught up in the atmosphere. Even in Sydney people hold Melbourne Cup parties and the girls dress up as if they are going to Flemington. Every man, woman and child has to have a bet, too. It might not be the best race in terms of quality - it's a two-mile Flat handicap usually run on fast ground - but as an event it's wonderful a bit like crossing the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National but with twice as many people. And the atmosphere is always electric. Jim McGrath commentates for the BBC and goes to the Melbourne Cup every year
Now go do it:
A week-long celebration in the opening week of November (Melbourne Cup day is the first Tuesday, with the race at 3.20pm) that encompasses four race days and attracts more than 120,000 spectators. Admission for individual days should only cost around A$20-A$40 (£8-£16). However, more exclusive four-day packages, which will provide covered seating in the Hill Stand, could cost A$340 (£140). Tickets for next year's carnival are not on sale yet, but for more information go to the Victoria Racing Club's website, www.vrc.net.au
18 Play the old course at St Andrews
Untamed and unchanged for centuries, the Old Course remains the stiffest golfing challenge for any player
Recommended by: Nick Faldo
It's the only golf course I know that's really got atmosphere all year round, even when there's not a tournament on. There's definitely something electric in the air there. It's all so special - there are those huge double greens; all the named bunkers; and the Swilken Bridge - most of the world's famous golfers have walked over that little brick bridge. I remember coming over it on the last day when I won in 1990 - with the noise of the crowd swirling round that natural arena. It was one of the most incredible feelings I have ever had on a golf course. Then of course there's the lovely old town itself, wrapped lovingly around the 18th hole.
I first played it in 1978, the year Jack Nicklaus won the Open there, and I loved it instantly. A friend at the Royal & Ancient had given me a detailed plan of how to play the course and that was right up my street, all the strategy that was required; playing up other fairways to get the right position; all the strange shots you need to master; the unpredictable weather conditions. The scare factor of 17, the road hole, is incredible. It is a truly daunting hole. If you had one round of golf to play in your life, it should be at St Andrews. It's almost as if the course has a life of its own - there's so much more to it than simply golf. Nick Faldo has won six major championships, including the Open at St Andrews in 1990
Now go do it:
There are a number of ways you can secure a starting time on the Old Course. You can apply up to two years in advance, but no later than 30 June of the year before the date you wish to play. There is also a daily ballot that determines over 50 per cent of visitor times. Players may register up to 2pm. The results are posted by 4pm and enable successful applicants to play the following day. However, if you turn up at around 5:30am and register with the starter, you might be slotted into a foursome going out that morning. Arrive prepared: you will need the green fee (£75 to £110 depending on the time of year) and a current handicap certificate of 24 or better (36 for ladies). Visit www.standrews.org.uk and telephone 01334 466 666 or 01334 477 036 for reservations.
Five other courses you must play:
Pebble Beach, California, USA
Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
Valderrama, Spain
Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada
Leopard Rock, Zimbabwe
19 Get a front-row seat at a Los Angeles Lakers game
DiCaprio, Pitt, Carrey and, of course, Spike Lee and Big Jack: you will be in fine company if you manage to bag a couple of seats courtside
Recommended by: Jack Nicholson
Watching the Lakers is my main passion and it gets me out of the house. It's like wine; every season's different. They've always had good fans here in LA, smart basketball fans. People seem to think Lakers fans are not ardent enough, but part of it is about being cool. I'll tell you, it's a great evening out.
Now go and do it:
Despite the expense ($1,900) courtside tickets are not easy to obtain. Try the LA Lakers ticket exchange, where it is possible to buy tickets from season-ticket holders. See teamexchange.ticketmaster.com for details.
20 Play elephant polo in Nepal
Climb onto Jumbo and scale the heights of eccentric sporting endeavour on your newest four-legged friend
Elephant polo was first played by Mogul Indian kings but was reinvented in 1982 by two passionate polo players, Jim Edwards (an Englishman) and James Mann-Clark (a Scotsman) in a bar in Switzerland when both wanted to try out a more interesting and adventurous form of their sport.
The first elephant polo tournament was held in Thailand in 2001 at Hua Hin. A two 10-minute chukka game will consist of two teams of three elephants, each of which carries a polo player and a mahout. The mahouts are to direct elephants while the players play with a regular polo ball and a specially made elongated stick, which is something between 78 and 110 inches long, depending on the height of the elephant.
Now go and do it:
To play elephant polo as a guest of Tiger Mountain Group, you must reserve your place by logging on to auction-air.com/auction_2003_SepOct/lot126.htmland enter the auction. The trip is worth £6,000 and goes to the highest bidder over £300. A week-long trip includes a stay in the Tiger Tops jungle lodge, the chance to see a number of polo matches and expert tuition from the players themselves so that you can take part in the 'visitors match'. Log on now to enter the 2004 auction.
Four other sports with animals
1. Play golf among kangaroos at the Anglesea coursein Victoria, Australia.
2. Take part in an ostrich race, at the BC Ranch in Montana, USA.
3. Try the 150-metre camel sprints at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
4. Go to watch the snail racing in Staffordshire. Snails compete in threedisciplines: the 'Half-Yard Sprint', the 'Three-Yard Endurance' or the challenging 'One-Yard Steeplechase'.