1.   Product champions are almost essential and the role of Alastair Pilkington in the float process is often cited in this respect.

2.   The defending World Cup champion was fastest in practice.

3.   The great champions were aggressive, took chances.

4.   Their great champion was far away.

5.   Yet the world champion is so unpredictably gifted that one on-song display could easily enable her to sweep aside the opposition.

6.   In Italy its champions were more nervous of its social-revolutionary implications than of papal thunderbolts, but nevertheless confident enough.

7.   The former English national champion is now out of the singles competition but has reached the semi-finals of the doubles.

8.   Muhammed Ali three times world heavyweight champion is still the Greatest.

9.   Tarmac champion Fisher is in the Isle of Man this weekend preparing for the Manx International and was not available to comment.