Leading Off

Board Stiff
Kimiko Soldati goes parallel (sans bars) during competition last week at the 2002 Speedo Fina/ USA Grand Prix in Coral Springs, Fla.

Cliff Hanger
Celtics guard Paul Pierce can't wait to see how this one turns out after inducing Pistons forward Cliff Robinson to leave his feet a little early during Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series in Auburn Hills on May 8.

Kick Start
USA midfielder Cobi Jones (left) plays footsies with Pablo Garcia of Uruguay during a World Cup tune-up at RFK Stadium on Sunday. The U.S. won 2-1, spurred by the strong play of 19-year-old DaMarcus Beasley, who scored a first-half goal.