Italy Crewman Injured in Loss to New Zealand

Italian bowman Massimiliano Sirena suffered a three-inch gash after he was apparently hit in the head by a pole being used by another crewman during Luna Rossa’s loss Tuesday in the America’s Cup in Auckland, New Zealand.

Down one crewman and its hull splattered with blood, Luna Rossa could only watch helplessly as New Zealand’s Black Magic won by two minutes, 43 seconds to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-nine series.

Race 3 is scheduled for Thursday.

Pro Football

The New Orleans Saints signed free-agent receiver Jake Reed to a two-year contract. The Minnesota Vikings released Reed, a nine-year veteran, on Feb. 10 as part of cost-cutting moves. The Saints sent receiver Eddie Kennison to Chicago for a fifth-round draft choice. Phil Pettey, an assistant coach at USC, was hired by the Saints as offensive coordinator for quality control. . . .

The Detroit Lions re-signed unrestricted free-agent punter John Jett to a four-year deal and also signed free-agent quarterback Steve Stenstrom and tight end Tony Johnson. . . . The Carolina Panthers signed unrestricted free-agent Chuck Smith, a defensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons the last nine seasons, to a five-year, $21-million contract. The Phoenix Cardinals re-signed offensive lineman Matt Joyce.

Obituaries

Bob Fischer, UCLA’s athletic director from 1980-83, between J.D. Morgan and Peter Dalis, died Sunday of congestive heart failure at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. Fischer, who lived in Encino, was 78.

Fischer joined the UCLA athletic department in 1964 as assistant athletic director and became associate director in 1978. When Morgan retired in 1979, Fischer was appointed acting athletic director. The next year he got the permanent job. He retired in 1983.

During Fischer’s stint as athletic director, UCLA won eight NCAA team titles, including five in one year, and the 1983 Rose Bowl.

A native of San Francisco, Fischer graduated from UCLA in 1945.

A Mass will be said Friday at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church in Encino. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the UCLA athletic department.

Longtime Southern California soccer promoter Tony Morejon has died at 79. Morejon was president of the Greater Los Angeles Soccer League for 20 years and for three decades promoted most of the international games played in Southern California. Funeral services are Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Miscellany

Julio Cesar Chavez is back on the Felix Trinidad-David Reid card March 3 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Chavez, 103-4-2 with 86 knockouts, will take on Bobby Elkins (28-7, 22 knockouts) in a 12-round bout.

Temple tailback Elmarko Jackson was in critical but stable condition after being stabbed outside a dormitory at Philadelphia.