The French Open

#54 The French Open is held annually from mid-May to early June.

It’s Significance:

Tournoi de Roland-Garros (Tennis French Internationals of Roland Garros) is the premier clay court tennis tournament in the world. Many know it by its other name, the French Open. The annual event calls Roland Garros Stadium (named after a famous World War I pilot) home.

The French Open started as a national tournament in 1891 for tennis players licensed in France, a tradition that ended in 1924. Originally a men’s-only tournament, a women;s tournament was added six years later. By 1912, the surface was changed to red clay made from crushed red brick. That surface makes for slow play and balls that bounce high, earning it a reputation as the most physically demanding tennis tournament in the world. That standing is a result of not only the surface, but also the five-set men’s single matches without a tiebreak in the final set.

The challenging play does not diminish the importance of the French Open. The second of the Grand Slam tournaments is broadcast to a worldwide television audience. Today the French Open features professionals and amateursfrom all over the world. They play for not only the French Open championship, but also individual prizes that include the Prix Orange for sportsmanship and press-friendliness, Prix Bourgeon for being the tennis player revelation of the year, and the McEnroe-like Prix Citron for strongest character and personality.

Sports Travel Insider’s Edge:

Best way to watch the action- It doesn’t get any better than watching the French Open on a terrace while surrounded  by beautiful flowers. The Roland Garros Restaurant offers food, drink, and a perfect view of Centre Court.

Best place to get up close- Take a tour of Stade de Roland Garros, the home of the French Open. See where the players change, relax, and compete. Even if you do not speak French, English tour guides are provided upon request.

Best travel tip- While the French Open provides its own history, make sure to check out the famed landmarks of Paris, including the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre.

The NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships

The NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship is ranked number 95 on the list and took place this past weekend. While not enjoying the prominence of NCAA Men’s Basketball’s Final Four, the NCAA Lacrosse Championship match has it beat in attendance and drawing power. For three days, the Division I, II, and III champions are decided, the only NCAA event that allows three divisions at one site. A lacrosse fanatic’s dream come true. Truly the best of the best battling it out on the lacrosse field. Syracuse took the Division I title this year.

The weekend is more than just lacrosse matches. Fan-oriented events are scheduled, including youth lacrosse clinics, interactive fan zones, and community-oriented initiatives.

Fun Facts:

The average lacrosse program has anywhere from forty-five to fifty players.

From 1996 to 2006, 152 new NCAA lacrosse programs were added.

Twenty-seven new varsity lacrosse programs were started in 2008.

The NCAA National Lacrosse championships boast an attendance of 50,000 per division championship.

As of 2007, there were nearly 17,000 male college lacrosse players.

Participation in NCAA men’s lacrosse has increased by over 25 percent from 1997to 2007.

Men’s lacrosse ranks fifth out of eighty NCAA sponsored championships in merchandise sales.

New York has the greatest number of men’s college lacrosse teams in the country. California is a close second.

Since the Indy 500 is in a few days…

Since the Indy 500 is in a few days, I thought I would list the restaurants that appear in the book so that every one attending knows the hot spots to dine at while in Indianapolis.

1. St. Elmo’s Steak House

127 South Illinois Street

As a downtown landmark since 1902, this steakhouse has earned national praise for its steaks, seafood, chops, and high level of service. The first restaurant anyone mentions when discussing Indianapolis dining.

2. Harry and Izzy’s

153 SouthIllinois Street

The founders of St. Elmo’s established a restaurant with a more casual environment for their customers while maintaining the quality of the food and service.

3. Oceanaire

30 South Meridian Street

Fresh seafood is flown in daily from around the world. New menus are printed for lunch and dinner every day to accommodate those different choices.

4. Six Lounge & Restaurant

247 South Meridian Street

Ideal for private parties. Food is provided by Chef Tyler and music is provided by resident DJ, which made this lounge and restaurant a unique and exciting experience. Open seven days a week.

5. Capital Grille, The Conrad Hotel

50 West Washington Street

The place to go for dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood that is flown in daily. Choose from their award-winning collection of over 400 wines.

6. Mikado

148 South Illinois Street

Well-known for their sushi and other great Japanese cuisine.

7. Dunaway’s

351 South East Street

Enjoy rooftop dining when the weather allows for it.

8. Mug-N-Bug Drive-In

5211 West 10th Street

Classic drive-in atmosphere and old school diner food. Root beer brewed on site.

9. Union Jack Pub

924 Broad Ripple Avenue

Many of the drivers, crew, and officials hang out here. The highlight is the hundreds of drivers’ helmets that adorn the wall. Definitely try the pizza that they’re known for.

The Indy 500 is this weekend!

Since the 31st event in the book, the Indy 500, is coming up this weekend, I thought it would be helpful to share some tips from the book, but here’s a little random information first.  The Indianapolis 500 boasts one of the largest attendances and highest television and radio rating of any single-day-sporting event on a nationwide basis. While it is televised live throughout the nation on ABC, local residents must attend the event to see it as the network blacks it out in the immediate area. The Indy 500 attracts well over a quarter million casual fans and race enthusiasts each year. It has enjoyed over ninety runnings for the coveted Borg-Warner Trophy. While its scope is national, the Indy 500 is truly a community event for the residents of Indianapolis.

Now for those tips I promised. These tips will give you an insider’s edge on the best ways to watch the event. The first tip is, no seat will provide you with a full view of the entire track, so watching can be a struggle from time to time. JumboTron video screens will keep you up on the action. The “E” Penthouse is located at the entrance to turn one and provides a view of the entire straightaway. Hospitality suites are the way to go. Tip number two, attend Carb Day the Friday before the Indianapolis 500. It’s the last practice for the Indy cars before the race and always a blast. Tip number three, and probably the best advice I can give you, get to the track early! With so many in attendance, it’s important to beat the crowds and soak up the event’s ambiance. I would advise being in your seat about ninety minutes prior to the start of the event just to see all of the pageantry and pre-race events.  And it would not be the Indy 500 if you did not purchase and wear and Indy 500 shirt customized with the name and number of your favorite driver.

So I hope these tips will help you make the most out of your trip to the Indy 500 and remember, this events is “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”!

Little known events like the Little 500 are what make this book unique

o.k. , so we all know the Super Bowl, Final Four, and the Masters golf tournament have made the 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live but what about the events you might not have ever heard of? or might not even care about? Well I am here to tell you why you should care and will care.

Three of my favorite little known events that are a big success each year have either just taken place or are about to take place. The 2009 version of the Little 500 last week was one of the best ever according to Jenny Bruffey, who heads up the IU Student Foundation. Jenny promised me some good pics that she took that I can’t wait to see.

The image that always comes to mind whenever I see this event is of the movie Breaking Away. That great movie took the Little 500 off the IU campus and into theaters across the world. Yes, that race really does happen each year and there is a team called the Cutters. My favorite character in the movie is the guy who also played Kelly Leek in Bad News Bears. Which brings me to another great event you may not have guessed made the list, the Little League World Series.

The Little League World Series takes place in Williamsport, PA each year. What an awesome tournament this one is. I totally wanted to play in this event as a kid, but now I have to settle for watching. Hell, I could watch pick up softball in Central Park and be happy.  Go to this one and you might just see the next Danny Almonte in action! Well, maybe not him but who can forget Chris Drury, yes that Chris Drury winning the title for Trumbull, CT in 1989. The best part is watching these kids from all over the world play against each other. Its tough to come to grips with, knowing that so many 12 year olds can strike me out, but I usually get over it by the second day.

Then there is one of my all time favorites which many people don’t even consider a real sport. What is a real sport anymore anyway when most people consider poker to be one. At least the Nathans Hot Dog Eating contest has some real physical exertion going on. Hey, don’t get me wrong I love poker as much as the next guy but I have a better chance of winning the WSOP then beating Joey Chestnut in a hot dog eating contest.  This is one you have to go see live. They do an awesome job with the whole event and whats better then the 4th of July on Coney Island?

Red Sox vs. Yankees at Yankee Stadium #9 on the list is set for the new stadium

Tonight starts a new chapter in the Red Sox vs. Yankees rivalry as the teams are set to take their grudge to the new stadium in the Bronx. Lets hope the ghosts cross the street and the magic of this match up is restored to its glorious animosity of past seasons. Not sure if that last line makes sense but it sure sounds good! Yankees vs. Red Sox is what anger and hatred are all about, see you in the Bronx tonight!

Kentucky Derby Tomorrow, I loved the Oaks today!

I just got back from a day at Churchill Downs, not for the Derby but for the Oaks. This event the day before the big one is heavily attended by the locals who avoid the massive traffic of derby day. It was really an interesting atmosphere with probably 3/4 the amount of people who will take over the place tomorrow. Had a great time, the weather was overcast and not too hot. Oh yea, only picked one winner all day!