Other serious contenders are Sharp and Kyocera.
He was one of Garmin-Sharp's top contenders along with fellow American Andrew Talansky, Irishman Dan Martin and Canadian Ryder Hesjedal.
The day also saw competing visits to Capitol Hill by the vying vice-presidential contenders, Dick Cheney and Joseph I. Lieberman, and sharp division among Republicans over how to end the lame-duck 106th session.
The drift away from audience-oriented contenders has precipitated a sharp drop in viewers for the annual Oscar show.
To Honor and Serve, one of the more intriguing Classic contenders, turned in a sharp workout as well, rolling five furlongs in 1 00.40 for the trainer Bill Mott.
Now Sarah is a whiny presidential contender, complaining about the sharper microscope that women wanting to progress this country are under and rejecting advice to work harder to prove herself capable.
Tsongas, for example, backs nuclear power more enthusiastically than any of the Democratic contenders--despite persistent sharp questions from environmentalists.
Meanwhile, international politics welcomes a new contender for the title of sharp dresser.
In North Carolina, Democratic Senator Kay Hagan and Republican contender Thom Tillis illustrate the sharp political and policy divide around abortion rights, state education funding and federal Medicaid expansion.
"As professional players we work immensely hard and there comes a time when you know that a fresh environment will help you retain the sharp edge of determination required to remain a contender for top honours".
The final section was steep and icy, with sharp curves that caused several racers, including the podium contender Hannes Reichelt of Austria, to ski off the course.
