The sporting weekend commenced with very sad news, following the death of Severiano Ballesteros.
The loss of Seve has been particularly keenly felt across the world, as he represented the romantic and swashbuckling antidote to an increasingly sterile and commercialised world. There is a sense that with his passing, a whole era has ended. His charisma, natural talent and competitive spirit made for a potent cocktail, lacking in the vast majority of other players.
In the late 1970s and 1980s, Seve performed the role for European golf which Arnold Palmer had fulfilled for the game across the Atlantic, bringing renewed zest, and attracting legions of new fans.
Leeds United needed a victory at QPR, and help from Crystal Palace, in order to qualify for the Championship play-offs. United delivered a praiseworthy win at Loftus Road, but in fairness it was expecting too much for the other variables to work in their favour.
Many fans expected a season of consolidation, but at the same time to come so close is very disappointing. One can only hope that the coaching staff and players can learn from this season, and make a concerted and consistent promotion bid next term.
The mood of us Leeds supporters was not helped when Manchester United defeated Chelsea at Old Trafford, thereby putting themselves on the brink of clinching the Premier League title. At least the fourth Champions League spot is being keenly contested...
On Sunday the Turkish Grand Prix produced more exciting and competitive racing, even if Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel emerged as a reasonably comfortable victor in the end.
There has been some comment in the media to the effect that the new technical measures have made overtaking too easy, and watching the highlights from Istanbul gave some credence to this view, cars sailing effortlessly past their helpless opponents. However, on balance I feel that things are just about right. Many of the people now criticisng the FIA are the same observers who for years have been pilloring the sport for its perceived lack of entertainment value. They cannot have it both ways.
Let us hope that the rest of the season sees racing of the quality which we have witnessed thus far in 2011!
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