Friday, 11 September 2026
AN ELITE TRAIL RUNNER VANISHES DURING A TRAINING RUN ON THE MATTERHORN. 8 DAYS LATER, SHE'S STILL MISSING
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| Iris Kurschner//Getty Images |
Kalie McCrystal disappeared while training for a Matterhorn FKT attempt in Italy.
Rescue teams in Italy’s Aosta Valley have suspended the search for Kalie McCrystal, a 38-year-old elite Canadian trail runner and mountaineer who disappeared while training on the Matterhorn on September 1, but those close to her say they remain hopeful that she’s still alive.
McCrystal had traveled to the Italian resort town of Cervinia in early August to run a challenging skyrace and prepare for an ambitious project: climbing and descending the Matterhorn via the Lion’s Ridge route in under five hours in an attempt to break the fastest known time (FKT) set by American runner and climber Kraina Andersen on August 9. That ridge runs between the South Face of the mountain in Italy and the West Face of the mountain in Switzerland.
McCrystal lives in Squamish, British Columbia, where she works as a lawyer and also teaches at Capilano University. She shared details of her training plans on social media in early August, describing the sub-five-hour round trip on the Matterhorn as her major athletic goal for the season.
She had reportedly summited the mountain a few times this summer (and posted a photo on social media on August 7), so she was likely familiar with its current conditions. She also set an FKT of the Hornli Ridge route on the Swiss side of the mountain on August 14, completing the return trip from Zermatt in 6 hours, 47 minutes, and 33 seconds.
“I intended this to be a recon run, but it ended up faster than I thought,” McCrystal reported to the FKT website.
Several athletes close to McCrystal have noted that the Lion’s Ridge route was well within her ability.
“She knew what she was doing,” says McCrystal’s friend Hilary Gerardi, an American skyrunner and mountaineer who lives in Chamonix, France, and has known McCrystal since 2023. “This isn’t one of these stories of a trail runner getting in over their head. She summited the mountain many times, but she also spent time over there not necessarily summiting, but just going up there and checking the route.”
Gerardi was in Cervinia over the weekend helping coordinate search efforts and talked with an Italian mountain guide who had met up with McCrystal while he was descending the mountain with a client last Tuesday. That guide confirmed that McCrystal was actively talking to all of the guides and local climbers to get as much information about conditions as possible.
“He told me that ‘she was moving super well, competently, skillfully and that she was calm, relaxed,’” Gerardi said. “He said that he did not feel at all that she was being reckless, that she was in her element. He wasn’t worried about her at all.”
McCrystal is well known within international skyrunning circles as a highly capable and experienced high-altitude athlete, with a long track record in technical alpine terrain. She has competed in numerous races this year, including a victory at Cuatro Refugios race on February 22 in Argentina. That’s a 24.8-mile point-to-point race with 10,800 feet of vertical gain and loss.
She also recorded a fifth-place finish in the Beast of Big Creek 22K skyrace on August 1 near Hoodsport, Washington, and a fourth-place finish in the Trofeo Kima race, a 52K race with more than 13,000 feet of elevation gain in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. In 2022, she won the Whistler Alpine Meadows 50K in a course-record 5:59:32.
McCrystal was slated to compete in the 2026 Skyrunning World Championships on September 18 to 20 in the Canary Islands. Last September, she placed 12th in the 45K race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain.
While back home in Canada this summer, McCrystal set a new women’s unsupported FKT on a route known as the Tantalus Traverse, a 26.3-mile point-to-point route with 12,000 feet of vertical gain and loss as it goes up and over Mount Tantalus in Squamish. She covered that distance in 9 hours, 40 minutes, and 32 seconds, taking nearly three hours off the previous women’s mark.
McCrystal was last confirmed seen on the afternoon of September 1, spotted by a group of Polish climbers making their way down the mountain near Pic Tyndall, a shoulder of the peak sitting above 13,800 feet and just short of the 14,692-foot summit, not far from the Jean-Antoine Carrel hut. On the same day, she was spotted near the summit through the long-range telescope of a search and rescue group near Cervinia as part of standard observations of the mountain.
“She saw her still going up, going quite quickly and she told the guide that she was training because she wanted to try the records. That’s the only information we have,” says Valerio Segor of Valle d’Aosta Mountain Rescue in Italy.
No one has reported seeing McCrystal since, despite an extensive search.
Search and rescue crews from Italy and Switzerland responded with an extensive aerial and ground operation, combing steep gullies, cliff bands, and stretches of the route on all flanks of the mountain. Helicopters equipped with RECCO technology—a system designed to detect reflective tags built into some outdoor gear—were brought in after McCrystal’s friends indicated her backpack likely contained one of the devices. The equipment failed to pick up any signal.
By last Thursday, after a full day of extensive helicopter sweeps produced no results, authorities made the decision to pause the aerial search. Ground efforts and investigative work have continued, although it’s near impossible for search crews on foot to access anything but the deep gullies near the base because of the steep faces of the mountain.
“There are very few routes on the Matternhorn because there are only a few safe ways to go up it,” Gerardi said. “Because it’s so steep and so dangerous with rock fall and, you know, glaciers at the bottom and crevasses. And it’s really sort of complex, very steep terrain.”
Italian investigators have reportedly turned their attention to a second SIM card McCrystal was known to be carrying, hoping that records of its last connection to a cellular network might help narrow down her location. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is also reportedly working to gain access to digital devices that might provide clues as to where on the mountain she was last active.
As the days pass without any sign of her, hope for a positive outcome has reportedly begun to fade among those close to the case, though her family, friends, and the broader mountain-running community continue to hold out for her safe return. Her mother traveled to Italy from her home on Vancouver Island late last week, while her sister arrived from London.
Capilano University and the Skyrunner World Series issued statements expressing support for McCrystal and her loved ones during the search. Athletics Canada, meanwhile, asked the media to help raise awareness of the search, describing McCrystal as a deeply respected figure both within Canadian athletics and the global skyrunning community, and expressing hope, on behalf of her family and everyone close to her, for her safe return.
“I think it’s a shock for me and for all of us because it’s so hard to lose track of somebody that we love so much,” Gerardi says. “And also, for so many of us, we can see ourselves in Kalie.”
- Brian Metzler
TANZANIA’S TOP PREMIER CLUB YOUNG AFRICANS (YANGA) LAUNCHES $2 MILLION TOWER PROJECT
DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG Africans has launched construction of a 12-storey commercial building in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam, in a move aimed at creating a new source of income for the club.
Yanga president Hersi Said announced the project yesterday during a contractsigning ceremony in Dar es Salaam.
The building, to be known as Yanga Tower, will be constructed at the junction of Mafia and Nyamwezi streets, where a large tent currently stands.
The construction contract has been awarded to Group Six International at a cost of 5.5bn/-, with Azania Bank providing financing for the project.
Hersi said the investment was part of the club’s plan to strengthen its financial position and reduce reliance on income from football.
“It has taken a long time to plan, but today we are laying the foundation for a legacy for future generations,” he said.
The tower will include shops and offices and is expected to provide Yanga with a sustainable source of revenue once completed.
- Christopher Mayaka
NIKE ALMOST DIDN'T SEE IT COMING | MICHAEL JORDAN | AIR JORDAN 1
Michael Jordan signed with Nike in October 1984 for $500,000 a year, about five times what any other player was earning on a shoe deal.
The Air Jordan 1 launched in April 1985. Nike's internal sales goal was $3 million. Per CBS News, the line did $126 million in its first year alone.
When the Air Jordan 1 launched in April 1985, Nike's plan was to move 100,000 pairs in the first year.
They sold roughly 450,000 pairs in the first month, and about 1.5 million units by the end of year one.
The shoe outran the forecast so badly that Nike had to rebuild the whole business around one rookie.
What sneaker release do you remember lining up for?
#8AtTheTable #Sports #MJ #MichaelJordan #AirJordan1 #AirJirdan #
Forty years later, Jordan Brand is still the standard.
What is the best endorsement deal in sports history?
- 8atthetable
SIR LEWIS HAMILTON VS. MICHAEL SCHUMACHER | STATS | FORMULA 1
Two different eras, but the same incredible number at the top: 7 world titles each. 🏆🏆
Michael Schumacher set the standard for dominance in the 1990s and 2000s, winning 91 races and setting records that stood for years.
Lewis Hamilton spent the following two decades chasing those numbers and eventually matching Schumacher’s seven championships, while going on to surpass him in wins, poles and podiums.
Their careers even briefly crossed in 2007, when rookie Hamilton raced against Schumacher during his comeback. What looked like a simple meeting of two generations would eventually become one of F1’s greatest statistical battles.
Different eras, different rules, different points systems. But the same level of greatness. 👑
#F1 #Formula1 #HamiltonVsSchumacher #Ferrari
- Tiara Pane
Thursday, 10 September 2026
FRENCH FOOTBALL FEDERATION WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR FIFA CHIEF INFANTINO
France joins Sweden, Scotland, Italy, Belgium in withdrawing backing for Infantino's bid for another term
İSTANBUL
The French Football Federation (FFF) has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's bid for another term, French broadcaster Franceinfo reported Thursday.
The decision was announced following an FFF executive committee meeting on Thursday.
Infantino is currently the only declared candidate for the FIFA presidency ahead of the election scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.
Potential challengers have until Nov. 18 to enter the race.
France's decision follows similar moves by several other national football federations, including those of Sweden, Scotland, Italy and Belgium, which have also withdrawn their support for Infantino.
Infantino has faced growing criticism since the 2026 World Cup, with disputes over his leadership contributing to divisions within world football.
One of the most controversial issues was a FIFA proposal to create a commercial company that would allow private investors to acquire a 20% stake in the management of World Cup commercial rights.
The proposal was developed without consultation with FIFA's member associations and drew strong opposition before Infantino abandoned it several days later.
Despite the withdrawals, Infantino remains the only declared candidate for the March election.
- Şeyma Erkul Dayanç
CHELSEA BOSS XABI ALONSO'S VERDICT ON SECOND-HALF LEEDS UNITED.BLITZ AS 12-MINUTE PERIOD TURNS GAME
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso believes an increase in quality and tempo saw his side overcome Leeds United in the second half.
Alonso made 10 changes to his Chelsea side for the Carabao Cup and while Daniel Farke also made eight, it was his Leeds side who looked far more ready. They went 1-0 up through a Tarik Muharemovic header and doubled their lead through Brenden Aaronson early in the second half.
Four half-time changes saw Alonso introduce Reece James, Pedro Neto, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer with the latter scoring twice in two minutes. Chelsea eventually scored four in 12 and six across the second-half.
“For sure, I take responsibility for all of them,” Alonso said. “No, no player is to blame, it is the decisions that we took. For sure, in the first half things were not going the way we wanted.
“When you haven't had time, and when you don't have this time to work with them, it's difficult to compete at this level, so it's my responsibility. We had to take decisions at half-time, and we have seen another second half with more quality, more tempo, and we need to analyse.
“But happy that we are going through, happy with the reaction, but as well analytical about what we have done.”
Chelsea will have questions to ask about those on the fringes who couldn’t compete with a rotated Leeds side in the first half. Alonso shouldered the blame for introducing such out-of-favour stars against a ‘strong’ opponent in Leeds.
“I will have a deeper assessment about how I can help players that are not playing that much to have a better impact, to have a better feeling, and today it was difficult for them,” he added. “Maybe I made it too difficult because Leeds were a strong side.
“But overall you need to to react. You need to make decisions, and the impact was good from the players that came on.”
- Kyle Newbould
WASHINGTON SPIRIT SIGNS TANZANIAN STAR CLARA LUVANGA
Standout forward inks four-year contract in transfer from Al–Nassr FC
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Spirit has signed Tanzanian national team forward Clara Luvanga to a four-year contract through the 2029 season, the club announced today. The striker is set to be the first player from Tanzania in NWSL history. As part of the move, the Spirit will pay a transfer fee to Luvanga’s former club Al-Nassr FC of Saudi Arabia’s top-flight Saudi Women’s Premier League.
“I am very excited to join the Washington Spirit and to take on this new challenge in the NWSL,” said Luvanga. “I know I am arriving with the season already underway, but I’m really excited to play in a new league and a new country. The team is in a strong position and I want to help in whatever way I can between now and the playoffs. Go Spirit!”
Luvanga joins the Spirit after three illustrious seasons in Saudi Arabia. Upon joining Al-Nassr FC in 2023, the striker led her side to three straight Saudi Women’s Premier League titles, a Saudi Women’s Cup title, a Saudi Women’s Super Cup title and the 2026 WAFF Women’s Clubs Championship title. Individually, Luvanga earned the Saudi Women’s Premier League Golden Boot award this past season as the league’s top scorer with 24 goals. The 21-year-old also collected a hat trick in this year’s Saudi Women’s Super Cup final.
“Clara adds an exciting new dimension to our attack as we head toward the playoffs,” said Sporting Director James Hocken. “Despite her young age, she has demonstrated the ability to score goals in different ways and has the profile to be very successful in this league.”
Originally from Tanzania on the east coast of Africa, Luvanga made her debut for the Tanzanian senior team in 2024. Prior to joining Al-Nassr FC in 2023, she competed for DUX Logroño in Spain after spending her youth development years with Tanzanian club Yanga Princess.
The Spirit will take the pitch at Audi Field next on Sunday, September 13 when the side hosts expansion side Boston Legacy FC. Kicking off at 1 p.m. EDT, the match will be Washington’s annual Spirit & Paws Day as the club welcomes fans and their furry friends. Tickets are available at WashingtonSpirit.com/tickets.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
- Washington Spirit
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
DAVI RAYA IS NIMINATED FOR THE MEN'S GOSLKEEPER OF THE YEAR AWARD | BALLON D'OR
David Raya nominated for the 2026 Men's Goalkeeper of the Year
#DavidRaya #Arsenal #ballondor
Selección Española de Fútbol (SeFutbol)
MIKEL ARTETA NOMINATED MEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR
Mikel Arteta nominated for the 2026 Men's Coach of the Year.
#Mikel Arteta #Arsenal #The Gunners #BallondO #ballondor
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