London, Dec. 30 : Manchester United will continue winning trophies even after he retires, as it has the required structure in place to do so, believes club coach Alex Ferguson.

The Scot has brought an unprecedented amount of silverware to Old Trafford since joining the club in 1986, but he knows he cannot continue at the top forever.

Semmering, Austria  - Maria Riesch of Germany survived a mistake in the second run to win a slalom ski race on Monday which was dominated by the World Cup leaders.

Riesch, 24, hung on to her first-run lead despite the hiccup halfway through the second run as she won in a combined total 1 minute 55.97 seconds. It was her second season win and eighth overall.

Tanja Poutiainen of Finland came second on 1:56.18 and American World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn fought from sixth place after the opening run to third overall in 1:56.69.

Moscow - Russian ice-hockey talent Alexei Tcherepanov committed blood doping ahead of his death in mid-October, investigating prosecutors said on Monday.

The authorities said that examinations of urine and blood samples revealed the doping and that they may take action against doctors at his club Avangard Omsk.

Prosecutors also said that Tcherepanov should never have allowed to play his sport professionally as doctors diagnosed heart problems.

Oberstdorf, Germany  - Simon Ammann drew first blood for Switzerland at the Four Hills Tour on Monday when he edged Austrian Wolfgang Loitzl for victory in the opener of the famous ski-jumping series.

The World Cup leader Ammann soared 136.5 metres in the first round and added 134m in the second for a winning total of 286.4 points.

It was the fifth season win and eighth overall for the double Olympic champion from 2002 and 2007 world champion.

Prague  - Arianna Follis of Italy claimed the women's Tour de Ski lead after three stages with a sprint victory on Monday while Swiss Dario Cologna retained first place overall on the men's side of the cross-country skiing event.

Tor Arne Hetland of Norway won the men's freestyle sprint in the Czech capital from Vassili Rotchev of Russia and Frenchman Jean Marc Gaillard.

Hamburg - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and American swimmer Michael Phelps aim to confirm their greatness with world championship titles in 2009 against the backdrop of the global economic crisis.

Fans will also follow football's Confederations Cup in South Africa which serves as a test for the World Cup there in 2010.

The 2016 Olympic host city is elected while Formula One gears up for another dramatic world championship in which Briton Lewis Hamilton has his title to defend.