1991 in sports

1991 in sportsdescribes the year's events in world sport.

Alpine skiing

Alpine Skiing World Cup
- Men's overall season champion:Marc Girardelli,Luxembourg
- Women's overall season champion:Petra Kronberger,Austria

American football

Super Bowl XXV– theNew York Giants(NFC) won 20–19 over theBuffalo Bills(AFC)
- Location:Tampa Stadium
- Attendance: 73,813
- MVP:Ottis Anderson,RB (New York)
Thurman Thomasof the Buffalo Bills is named theNFL MVP
Orange Bowl(1990 season):
- TheColorado Buffaloeswon 10–9 over theNotre Dame Fighting Irishto win theAP Poll national championships
Desmond Howard,University of Michigan wide receiverseals theHeisman Trophywith a 93-yard punt return in Michigan's 31–3 hammering ofOhio State.
World Bowl'91:London Monarchswon 21–0 over theBarcelona Dragonsin the inaugural World Bowl.
QuarterbackStan Gelbaughof theLondon Monarchsis named the World League of American Football's inaugural seasons Most Valuable Player

Artistic gymnastics

World Artistic Gymnastics Championships–
- Men's all-around champion:Grigory Misutin,USSR
- Women's all-around champion:Kim Zmeskal,United States^[1]
- Men's team competition champion: USSR
- Women's team competition champion: USSR

Association football

European Cup–Red Star BelgradebeatOlympique de Marseille5–3 on penalties (0–0 aet)
FIFA Women's World Cup–United Stateswon 2–1 overNorway

Athletics

1991 World Championships in Athleticsheld in Tokyo
30 August – Track & Field World ChampionshipMike PowellbreakingBob Beamon's 23-year-old Long Jump world record with a mark of 29' 4 1/2 "

Australian rules football

Australian Football League
- TheAdelaide Crowsjoin the league
- 25 April –North MelbourneandSydneykick between them 32.18 (210) in the first half. It is the record aggregate score for a half of VFL/AFL football.
- 2 June –Carltonkick their first goal with 33 second to go againstFootscray,the closest a team has come to finishing goalless sinceRichmondkicked 0.8 (8) in1961againstSt. Kilda.
- 8 September –HawthornbeatWest Coast18.16 (124) to 15.11 (101) in the first final outside Melbourne.
- 1991 AFL Grand Final(28 September) – Hawthorn wins the 95th AFL premiership beating West Coast 20.19 (139) to 13.8 (86) in the only Grand Final atVFL Park.
- Brownlow Medalawarded toJim Stynes(Melbourne)
7 October – death ofDarren Millane,who played forCollingwoodbetween 1984 and 1991, from a car crash inPrahran.

Baseball

Dave RighettibreaksSparky Lyle's major league record for left-handers of 238 career saves.
1 May –Nolan Ryanpitchers his seventh career no hitter with a 3–0 victory overthe Toronto Blue Jays
28 July –Dennis Martínezofthe Montreal Expospitches the 13thperfect gamein major league history, beatingthe Los Angeles Dodgers2–0.
World Series–The Minnesota Twinswin 4 games to 3 overthe Atlanta Braves.The series MVP isJack Morrisof Minnesota.
Cal Ripken Jr.ofthe Baltimore Oriolesis namedAL MVP
Terry Pendletonofthe Atlanta Bravesis namedNL MVP
Roger Clemensofthe Boston Red Soxis namedAL Cy Youngaward winner. It is his third of six in his career
Tom Glavineofthe Atlanta Bravesis namedNL Cy Youngaward winner
Chuck Knoblauchofthe Minnesota Twinsis namedAL Rookie of the Year
Jeff Bagwellofthe Houston Astrosis namedNL Rookie of the Year

Basketball

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship–Dukewins 72–65 overKansas
Larry JohnsonofUNLVis namedNaismith College Player of the Year
9 February –Dee Brownwin theGatorade Slam Dunk Contest
10 February –NBA All-Star Gameis held in Charlotte, North Carolina
12 June –NBA Finals:Chicago Bullswin 4 games to 1 overthe Los Angeles Lakersto earn the franchise's first championship, starting a run of six titles in eight seasons.
Michael Jordanis named theNBA MVP,his second of 5 awards.
7 November – Lakers' superstarMagic Johnsonannounces he tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS, thus ending his career in theNBA.
National Basketball League (Australia)Finals:Perth Wildcatsdefeated theEastside Melbourne Spectres2–1 in the best-of-three final series.
17 December –The Cleveland Cavaliersbeatthe Miami Heat148 to 80, the largest margin of victory in anyNBAgame.

Boxing

3 March –Mike TysondefeatsDonovan Ruddockin a seventh-round TKO
19 April –Evander HolyfielddefeatsGeorge Foremanto retainWBC,WBA&IBFHeavyweight titles
7 to 12 May –29th European Amateur Boxing Championshipsheld inGothenburg,Sweden
3 June –Thomas HearnsdefeatsVirgil Hillwith a unanimous decision to winWBA Light Heavyweighttitle
1 June atPalm Springs, California–Terry Norrisknocked outDonald Curryin the 8th Round to win the WBC Super Welterweight Championship.
28 JuneMike TysondefeatsDonovan Ruddockin a rematch with a 12-round unanimous decision
2 to 18 August –Pan American Gamesheld inHavana,Cuba.
5 October –James ToneydefeatsMichael Nunnwith a TKO to winIBFMiddleweight title
James Toneyis namedRing Magazine fighter of the year

Canadian football

Grey Cup–Toronto Argonautswin 36–21 over theCalgary Stampeders
B.C. LionsQuarterbackDoug Flutieis namedCFL Most Outstanding Player
Vanier Cup–Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawkswin 25–18 over theMount Allison Mounties

Cricket

South Africa readmitted to theInternational Cricket Councilfollowing the abolition ofapartheid,and play their first international game since 1970.

Cycling

Giro d'Italiawon byFranco Chioccioliof Italy
Tour de France–Miguel Indurainof Spain
UCI Road World Championships – Men's road race–Gianni Bugnoof Italy

Dogsled racing

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog RaceChampion –
- Rick Swenson won with lead dog:Goose

Field hockey

Men's Champions Trophy:Germany
Women's Champions Trophy:Australia

Figure skating

World Figure Skating Championships–
- Men's champion:Kurt Browning,Canada
- Ladies' champion:Kristi Yamaguchi,United States
- Pair skating champions:Natalia Mishkutenok&Artur Dmitriev,Soviet Union
- Ice dancing champions:Isabelle Duchesnay&Paul Duchesnay,France

Golf

Men's professional

Master–Ian Woosnam
U.S. Open–Payne Stewart
British Open–Ian Baker-Finch
PGA Championship–John Daly
PGA Tourmoney leader –Corey Pavin– $979,430
Senior PGA Tourmoney leader –Mike Hill– $1,065,657
Ryder Cup– United States team won 14½ – 13½ over the Europe in team golf.

Men's amateur

British Amateur–Gary Wolstenholme
U.S. Amateur–Mitch Voges
European Amateur–Jim Payne
Tiger Woods,at age 15, won his firstUSGAtitle, theU.S. Junior Amateur.

Women's professional

Nabisco Dinah Shore–Amy Alcott
LPGA Championship–Meg Mallon
U.S. Women's Open–Meg Mallon
Classique du Maurier–Nancy Scranton
LPGA Tourmoney leader –Pat Bradley– $763,118

Harness racing

North America Cup–Precious Bunny
United States Pacing Triple Crown races–
United States Trotting Triple Crown races–
1. Hambletonian–Giant Victory
2. Yonkers Trot– Crown's Invitation
3. Kentucky Futurity–Whiteland Janice
Australian Inter Dominion Harness Racing Championship–
- Pacers:Mark Ranover
- Trotters:Fraggle Rock

Horse racing

Steeplechases

Flat races

Australia –Melbourne Cupwon byLet's Elope
Canadian Triple Crown Races:
1. Queen's Plate–Dance Smartly
2. Prince of Wales Stakes– Dance Smartly
3. Breeders' Stakes– Dance Smartly
- Dance Smartly becomes the country's third consecutive Triple Crown winner.
France –Prix de l'Arc de Triomphewon bySuave Dancer
Ireland –Irish Derby Stakeswon byGenerous
Japan –Japan Cupwon byGolden Pheasant
English Triple Crown Races:
1. 2,000 Guineas Stakes–Mystiko
2. The Derby–Generous^[2]
3. St. Leger Stakes–Toulon
United States Triple Crown Races:
1. Kentucky Derby–Strike the Gold
2. Preakness Stakes–Hansel
3. Belmont Stakes–Hansel
Breeders' CupWorld Thoroughbred Championships:

Ice hockey

Art Ross Trophyas theNHL's leading scorer during the regular season:Wayne Gretzky,Los Angeles Kings
Hart Memorial Trophyfor the NHL's Most Valuable Player:Brett Hull,St. Louis Blues
Stanley Cup
- Pittsburgh Penguinswin 4 games to 2 overthe Minnesota North Stars
Conn Smythe Trophy–Mario Lemieux,Pittsburgh Penguins
World Hockey Championship
- Men's champion:Sweden defeated Canada
- Junior Men's champion:Canada defeated the USSR
Sheffield Steelersformed
San Jose Sharksformed
Northern Michigan Universitywins theNCAA Division I titlein hockey, 8–7 in the third overtime againstBoston University.

Lacrosse

TheDetroit Turbosdefeat theBaltimore Thunderto win theMajor Indoor Lacrosse Leaguechampionship

Motorsport

Radiosport

The Friendship Radiosport Games held inPortland, Oregon,United States was the first internationalAmateur Radio Direction Findingcompetition held in the Americas.
Third EuropeanHigh Speed TelegraphyChampionship held inNeerpelt,Belgium.

Rugby League

Penrith Panthersdefeat two-time defending premiersCanberra Raidersin theNew South Wales Rugby LeagueGrand Final at theSydney Football Stadium.It is Penrith's first premiership since their admission in1967.
Wigan retained their title in the English Rugby League competition, with Oldham, Sheffield Eagles and Rochdale Hornets being relegated. To date this is Rochdale's last appearance in the top flight.

Rugby Union

97thFive Nations Championshipseries is won byEnglandwho complete theGrand Slam
Australiawins the1991 Rugby World Cup

Snooker

World Snooker Championship–John ParrottbeatsJimmy White18–11
World rankings–Stephen Hendryremainsworld number onefor 1991/92

Swimming

The sixthFINA World Championships,held inPerth,Australia (3 January – 13)
EleventhPan American Gamesheld inHavana,Cuba (12–18 August)
20thEuropean LC Championships,held inAthens,Greece (18–25 August)
FourthPan Pacific Championships,held inEdmonton,Alberta, Canada (22–25 August)
FirstEuropean Sprint Championships,held inGelsenkirchen,Germany (6–8 December)
13 December –Steve Crockersets the first officialworld recordin the men's 50m freestyle (short course) inSheffield,United Kingdom, clocking25.64.