2022 in Review: February
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The Winter Olympics start in Beijing. The New Zealand team send 15 athletes. The gold medal won by Zoi Sadowski-Synnott in Snowboard (Slopestyle) is New Zealand’s first ever Winter Olympic gold. Nico Porteous adds a second in the Freestyle Skiing (Halfpipe) while Sadowski-Synnott also picks up a silver medal in the Big Air event.
It’s South Africa’s turn to face the Blackcaps in a two-test series and it’s a strong start for the home side, bowling the visitors out for just 95 on the first afternoon. New Zealand, still without Kane Williamson, and with Ross Taylor having departed the test match arena, post a dominant 482 in their first innings, including a century from Henry Nicholls on his home ground and 96 from Tom Blundell. South Africa are reduced to 4-3 in the fifth over of their second innings before spluttering to 111 all out and a defeat by an innings and 276 runs. With concerns over an Omicron outbreak, the second test is also in Christchurch, with the Blackcaps again showing their inconsistent form as they fall to defeat to a much-improved Proteas by 198 runs.
The Auckland Aces win their third Ford Trophy in five years, beating the Central Stags by eight wickets.
The Otago Sparks, inspired by Eden Carson who took 5-17, upset the Wellington Blaze, who had been unbeaten all season, to take the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, winning by 138 runs.
Super Rugby Pacific gets underway as the New South Wales Waratahs beat the Fijian Drua 40-10 in Parramatta.
Scott McLaughlin wins his first IndyCar race (in just his second season) at the Grand Prix of St Petersburg in Florida. He sets up the win in the season opener by securing pole position for his Team Penske Chevrolet outfit.
Ryan Fox wins the second European Tour event of his career, beating Ross Fisher by five shots to take the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in the United Arab Emirates.
The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 to win Superbowl LVI in Inglewood, California.
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