Weekly sports agenda: Wimbledon, Arctic golf, oil wrestling

(AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK)

Among major upcoming sporting events: London, UK, is the location for the Wimbledon tennis tournament, Iceland hosts golf's Arctic Open, and the annual Turkish Oil Wrestling festival is in Edirne.

Mediterranean Freediving World Cup
June 14-20
Kalamata, Greece

The 3rd Mediterranean World Cup Competition, accredited by the AIDA governing body, is a five-day event that welcomes contestants to go the distance in three disciplines: Constant Weight (CWT), Constant Weight without fins (CNF), and Free Immersion (FIM). Thanks to AIDA's support, competing divers are also eligible for world record status should their performance merit it.
http://www.freediving-club.gr

Royal Ascot
June 15-19
Ascot, England

One of the world's most well-known events in horse racing, the meeting at Royal Ascot is as much social and fashion event as it is sporting. As is tradition, the Queen arrives in a horse-drawn carriage for each day of the festival. Ticketholders for the Grandstand are subject to a formal dress code in keeping with Royal Ascot's reputation for the smart and stylish. Grandstand admission is £56 at the start of the week rising to £66 for the end (€66-€77). Similarly, Silver Ring tickets are £17 to £22 (€20-€26) but sell out fast. Group discounts are available.
http://www.ascot.co.uk

Golf: US Open
June 17-20
Pebble Beach, California, USA

Being part of the golfing year's schedule for both the PGA Tour and European Tour, and the second of four major championships, the US Open attracts plenty of attention due to the prestigious nature of the players granted automatic entry. The last ten US Open champions are guaranteed an invite, as are the last five from the Masters, British Open, and PGA Championship, among others. Tickets are selling out and range from $110 for grounds access up to $175 for pavilion access.
http://www.usopen.com

British MotoGP
June 20
Silverstone, UK

The 2010 motorcycling season gathers steam at Britain's historic circuit, and this is race is the first in a five-year deal with the MotoGP that saw the addition of a new infield section to the track. Sunday tickets start at £55 (€65), and there are options for more enviable views at £85 and £105 (€105, €125).
http://www.silverstone.co.uk or http://www.motogp.com

World Series of Poker
Until July 17
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Despite a panoply of WSOP-authorized tournaments throughout the year, this is the real deal, with a huge variety of poker rule sets in force for the world's best, luckiest, and most stubborn players to test their mettle against each other for a slice of the pie. The tournament culminates in the 12-day No-Limit Hold'em Championship starting on July 5, before a three-month break when the top nine players will reconvene in November for the Final Table.
http://www.wsop.com

FIFA World Cup 2010
June 11-July 11
South Africa

While European nations account for 13 of the 32 competing sides, Africa itself is the next best represented region. Half a million match tickets were held back for this, the final ticketing phase that started on April 15 and runs until the Final on July 11, should any remain unsold for that long. Prices range from $80 (€65) for Category 3 seating in group matches to $900 (€730) for Category 1 tickets for the final. Discounts are available for wheelchair users, South African residents, and there are also Team Specific Tickets that enable holders to follow a team of their choice throughout the tournament. Kick-off times are 1.30pm, 4pm, and 8.30pm South African Standard Time (UTC+2/BST+1).
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup

The Championship - Wimbledon
June 21 - July 4
Wimbledon, UK

Though the ballot for public tickets closed in December 2009, and the majority of tickets therefore already allocated, the All England Lawn Tennis Club state that around 6,000 ground passes are available per day, and 500 for the Centre, No.1 and No.2 courts. Those who manage to snag a ground pass but not a seat gather on Aorangi Terrace, known as 'Henman Hill', to watch on a huge television screen placed adjacent to No. 1 Court and join the cheers and celebrations from there. Ticket payments are to be made in cash only: ground passes cost between £8 and £20 (€9.70-24.30), while court passes are between £34 and £85 (€41.30-103.25), depending on the day. Centre court tickets for the last four days of play (Jul 1-4) will not be available for purchase at the turnstiles.
http://www.wimbledon.org

The Arctic Open
June 24-26
Akureyri, Iceland

Held at the world's most northern golf course at the Akureyri Golf Club, this tournament is scheduled at a time of year when the sun hardly dips below the horizon - though round times are a little more restrained with tee-offs at 4pm. While the Club has links with travel agents in the USA and northern Europe, there are also more locally based travel agents happy to organize tours of the country's arresting scenery for those looking for a pre-tournament jaunt. Entry to the Arctic Open costs $385, including the opening reception and closing dinner.
http://www.arcticopen.is

Formula One: European Grand Prix
June 27, 2pm (BST+1)
Valencia, Spain

Nearly halfway through the 2010 Formula One calendar, the race at Valencia's Street Circuit could prove decisive in Mark Webber's quest to win the Championship. Grandstand passes start at €305 and rise to €715, covering practice and qualifying days as well as the race.
http://www.formula1.com or http://www.valenciastreetcircuit.com

Kirkpinar Wrestling Festival
June 25-27
Edirne, Turkey

The 649th Turkish Oil Wrestling Festival Week is centered around events in Sarayici Stadium, with competitors rubbed down and clad in leather chaps. Though the cultural festival runs from Monday 21, sporting events do not get underway until Friday 25, with finals on Sunday 27. An estimated 700 male competitors will take part across seven categories, and for Edirne it's the biggest tourist attraction of the year.
http://www.turkishoilwrestling.net

Maryhill Festival of Speed
June 30 - July 4
Goldendale, Washington, USA

The first round in the International Gravity Sports Association's World Cup schedule, Maryhill hosts for only the fourth year but is already a top draw location for competitive downhill skateboarding and street luge.
http://www.maryhillfestivalofspeed.com

Freediving Team World Championships
June 30 - July 10
Okinawa, Japan

Though Freediving is in the main a solo sport, AIDA's Team World Championships are an opportunity for solidarity through combined effort. There are events in static apnea (holding one's breath underwater) as well as submerged distance swimming over the 11-day championship. Entrance to events at the Okinawa General Playground pool is free of charge.
http://www.aida2010.net

Goodwood Festival of Speed
July 2-4
Goodwood Estate, West Sussex, England

Billed by organizers as the "world's largest car event," the Goodwood Festival of Speed brings together cars of all types from all countries. From current Formula 1 racers and 200 mph supercars to steam-powered carriages of the 19th century, the event is part show, part race and a must-see event for car buffs. General admission for the entire weekend costs £107 (€130), one-day tickets are £40 (€50) on Saturday and Sunday.
http://www.goodwood.co.uk

97th Tour de France
July 3-25
Netherlands, Belgium, France

This year, the 20-stage tour starts in the Netherlands and Belgium before crossing into north-east France. Descending into more central areas and the famous Burgundy region, it then traces a route around the Alps, southern France, and the Pyreneés before the penultimate stages in and around Bordeaux. As is tradition, the final stage finishes in Paris, on the Champs Élysées. There are no admission fees, so arrive early to snag a good spot - seasoned spectators bring stepladders.
http://www.letour.com

15th Wife Carrying World Championships
July 3
Sonkajarvi, Finland

One way to guarantee a decent supply of free beer is to win the grueling wife-carrying championships, whose 253m course covers sand, grass, gravel, and various wet and dry obstacles. Fun is a mandatory requirement, admission costs for spectators are €20 per person, €5 for under 12s with plenty to see and do.
http://www.eukonkanto.fi/en

Catalan MotoGP
July 4
Montmelo, Catalonia, Spain

One of four MotoGPs to take place in Spain over the course of the 18-race season, three-day grandstand passes are €99 in the main grandstand or €163.80 for one that overlooks several corners and a jumbo TV wall. A wider selection may be available directly from the Circuit de Catalunya.
http://www.motogp.com or http://www.circuitcat.com

40th Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship
July 8-17
Istanbul, Turkey

Taking place at the Turkish capital's Atakoy Marina on the Sea of Marmara, the Youth Worlds are set to welcome 344 sailors from 63 countries. There are boys and girls' races for one- and two-person dinghies, windsurfers, and then an open class for multihull and high performance dinghies.
http://www.isafyouthworlds.com

99th Davis Cup - Quarterfinals
July 9-11
Various locations

Eight teams remain for the second-round knockout stage. France host 2009 champions Spain in Clermont-Ferrand (tickets: €23-€78), Russia and Argentina meet in Moscow ($200-$5,600+), Serbia travel to Split in Croatia (€14-€42), and Chile must beat last year's runners-up Czech Republic ($44-$244) in Conquimbo to progress.
http://www.daviscup.com