Ukraine wins first World Cup luge medal in 16 years

Germany won a World Cup luge team relay on Sunday, with Austria finishing second. That’s not exactly breaking news. Those nations have the top two luge programs in the world right now.

The news was Ukraine finishing third — and how the war-torn nation got there.

Ukraine won its first World Cup luge medal in more than 16 years. The country’s relay team finished third in a race at Sigulda, Latvia.

The medal came in a very unconventional way. There were seven teams in the relay, and four of them didn’t finish. Ukraine finished almost four seconds back of Germany’s winning time — four seconds is a lifetime in luge, a sport where races are often decided by hundredths or even thousandths of a second — but out of the three finishers, it was third-fastest.

That meant bronze.

To say Ukraine — a nation about to enter its fourth year of war with Russia — does not have much in the way of sliding resources would be an understatement.

There is no sliding track in Ukraine; the team considers the facility in Sigulda to be its home track and prepares for seasons with a fall training camp there. Sliders from many nations — Germany, the U.S., Canada, Italy, Austria, China, South Korea and Switzerland among them — often have the chance to slide on tracks in their own countries, a big advantage. Ukraine doesn’t have that luxury.

Bell, Nationals finalize $6 million, 1-year contract

WASHINGTON>> First baseman Josh Bell and the Washington Nationals finalized a $6 million, one-year contract on Sunday.

Bell returned to Washington after spending the 2021 season and bulk of 2022 there, hitting .278 with 41 homers, 145 RBIs and 48 doubles in 247 games. He was traded to San Diego with Juan Soto on Aug. 2, 2022, the first of three straight years he was moved ahead of the trade deadline.

Now 32, Bell played for Cleveland, Miami and Arizona the past two seasons. He hit .249 with 19 homers, 71 RBIs and 23 doubles in 145 games last year for the Marlins and Diamondbacks, who acquired him on July 30.

Ducks sign Vatrano to 3-year, $18M extension

ANAHEIM, Calif.>> Forward Frank Vatrano has agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2027-28 season with the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks announced the deal Sunday for the 30-year-old Vatrano, who is in his third season with Anaheim. He has 68 goals and 53 assists in 200 games for the Ducks, including nine goals and 11 assists this season.

A person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that the contract will pay Vatrano $3 million in each of the next three seasons, and he will make another $9 million in deferred salary beginning in 2035.

Croatia’s Ljutic makes it back-to-back victories

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia >> Croatian skier Zrinka Ljutic made it back-to-back World Cup wins in women’s slalom to take the lead in the standings on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Ljutic won her first title at Semmering, Austria last week and quickly followed up with her second at Kranjska Gora. Ljutic was joint-fastest with Wendy Holdener in their first run, then 0.16 seconds faster than the Swiss skier in the second. Anna Swenn-Larsson of Sweden was third, 1.19 behind Ljutic.