Ups And Downs
UPS AND DOWNS
UP: To tennis ace Gabriela Sabatini, for her adventures off the court. Earlier this year, Sabatini, who is currently ranked third in the world, purchased a black-and-hot-pink 1992 Honda CBR600F2. Not only does the 21-year-old enjoy late-night cruises, she recently rode her CBR to Florida after winning a tournament in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Sabatini’s enthusiasm for motorcycles was chronicled in a recent issue of the New York Times. In the article, Patricia Tarabini, a fellow player and one of Sabatini’s riding partners, said, “It can be freezing cold, but it doesn’t matter to Gaby. She says that is what she loves most in her life, those moments when she feels free.”
DOWN: To
Electronic Arts, for its video game, “Road Rash.” Designed for use with Sega’s Genesis homeentertainment system, the game is billed as “Unsanctioned, Unnerving and Probably Unlawful.” According to the brightly colored packaging, players can “Kick and punch opponents outta the way at 150 mph. Snatch a club-if you wanna-to do some real damage. Avoid cows, oil spills and oncoming traffic! Finish the race to take home cash or look for a police escort to your favorite jail!”
When questioned about the game, a spokesperson for Electronic Arts said, “Road Rash is a game; it’s meant for pure entertainment. Obviously, there can be negative implications, but we haven’t received any complaints.”
In its favor, Electronic Arts includes a disclaimer in the game’s manual. But Road Rash, which retails for $49.95, is hardly a positive learning tool for impressionable young minds. □
