Sunday's sports briefs

Larry Ellison's space-age trimaran BMW Oracle won back the America's Cup for the United States by speeding across the Mediterranean and beating two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland in a two-race sailing sweep.

Ellison's victory over rival Ernesto Bertarelli sends the oldest trophy in international sports to San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club. The America's Cup had been away for 15 years.

"I am so proud to bring the America's Cup after such a long absence back to the United States of America," Ellison said.

Ellison's trimaran featured a controversial wing sail that made it nearly unbeatable and led to a tumultuous legal fight before the race.

Streak to end for Yankees trainer The Yankees will be without a familiar and beloved face when the defending World Series champions begin trickling into Florida for spring training this week. The team announced that longtime head trainer Gene Monahan is taking a medical leave of absence to deal with "a significant illness" that could keep him out through the start of the regular season. The nature of his illness was not disclosed.

Monahan, 65, hasn't missed spring training in 48 years, including the past 38 as the Yankees trainer. He's the longest-tenured active head trainer in the major leagues.

"I miss not being around my professional family already, but I'm battling," Monahan said in a statement released by the team. He's expected to remain in New York to receive "extensive treatment" over the next several weeks.

Righthander Edwin Jackson and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $13.35 million, two-year deal, avoiding an arbitration hearing. Jackson went 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA in 33 starts for the Tigers last season.

Women's tennis: Top-seeded Elena Dementieva recovered from a set down to beat Lucie Safarova 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4 in the final of the Open GDF Suez in Paris. It was the second victory of the season for the world's No. 7-ranked player. ... Vera Zvonareva successfully defended her Pattaya Open title in Pattaya, Thailand, beating hometown favorite Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-4, 6-4 in the final.

Men's tennis: Second-seeded Fernando Verdasco rallied to beat Andy Roddick 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the men's SAP Open, taking his fourth career title. ...Robin Soderling won the ABN Amro final in Rotterdam, Netherlands, when former champion Mikhail Youzhny retired because of a thigh injury. ... Top-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Lukasz Kobut 6-1, 6-0 to win the Brazil Open in Costa do Sauipe.

Bowling: Walter Ray Williams Jr. won his second U.S. Bowling Congress Masters title for his record 47 PBA Tour victory, beating top-seeded Chris Barnes 290-217 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. The victory also was Williams' eighth major title, tying him with Pete Weber and Mike Aulby for second place on the career list, two behind Earl Anthony.

Drag racing: Funny Car star John Force ended a 20-month victory drought, winning at the Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) also won their divisions.