More dogs than ever

If Big Air dogs is for canine long jumpers, Disc Drive is for every pooch that ever wanted to be a wide receiver.

"We added a new event to Great Outdoor Games V to build even more excitement into our competitions," said Cadence Harkins, assistant director of the Great Outdoor Games in charge of sports and competition. "Americans, and our fans in particular, love dogs and love sporting dog competitions. It makes a great live competition, it's just as much fun for our television audience, and we can't wait to bring it to Madison."

The new event at will match 12 dog-and-handler teams against one another in a distance throw and catch. The dogs will start by their handlers' sides, then race to catch a Frisbee disc before it hits the ground. The teams that catch their discs at the farthest distance will earn medals at the Great Outdoor Games, slated for the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., July 8-11.

"This new event is fast-paced, easy to understand, and while not every dog can compete at the same level as GOG competitors, this is a sport that dog lovers around the country can participate in with their dogs," Harkins said. "We anticipate that this will bring new dog breeds into the GOG family of champions and we hope that it will bring new fans to our event."

Fly anglers, mark your calendars

Is "A River Runs Through It" your favorite movie? Is your copy of Isaac Walton's "The Compleat Angler" more than a little dog-eared? Then pack your fly rod and your favorite wooly bugger and get ready to be on ESPN: There will be two qualifying events for the ESPN Great Outdoor Games Fly Fishing Competition and six of the 12 spots in each competition are open to anyone.

Any anglers who hope to qualify for the Games - scheduled for July 8-11 in Madison, Wis. - must fill out an application form. A committee of sport organizers and ESPN officials will tap six anglers to compete in each qualifier. The remaining six anglers will earn their spots through an open-call casting competition that will be held early on the first day of each of the two qualifiers.

East Coast anglers can head down to Islamorada in the Florida Keys for the Eastern qualifier April 6-8. West Coast anglers can pack their fly rods and head for the Eagle River near Vail, Colo., May 4-6.

Click here for applications and additional information.

Sue's little girl

Georgia retriever handler Jerry Day just can't stay away from the Games. When Great Outdoor Games legend Super Sue retired last year, fans seemed a little concerned that nothing could replace her — or her garrulous, charming handler. But Day is back, and if he hasn't brought Sue, a yellow lab who stands alone in the annals of retrieving achievement, he has the next best thing: her daughter.

And Nike bids fair to follow in her mother's footsteps, with a first-place finish at the Super Retriever Series qualifier in New Orleans already under her collar.