2013 Sports Picture Story
First Place: Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
A glimpse of the 2013 NASCAR season from in the cockpit to the infield fans. LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 20: Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac Ford, sits in his car in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20, 2013 in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 06: Fans tailgate prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 22, 2013 in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 07: Fans watch race action during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 56th Annual Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 7, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 06: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 28: A race fan holds an American flag prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samuel Deeds 400 At The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 28, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 27: Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, zips up her fire suit during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samuel Deeds 400 At The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 06: Kyle Busch, driver of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota, and wife Samantha Busch sit on the wall of the grid as they take part in pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway on September 6, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
KANSAS CITY, KS - APRIL 19: Sam Hornish, Jr., driver of the #12 SKF Ford, flips his daughter Addison, 5, after qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 19, 2013 in Kansas City, Kansas.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 05: Cars are involved in a wreck when Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, drove into Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Time Warner Cable Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 27: Kyle Busch, driver of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Indiana 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
First Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 07: Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Kellogg's / Cheez-It Ford, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 56th Annual Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 7, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place: Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
A horse returns from the gallops at the Cheltenham racecourse in western England March 12, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
A racegoer watches the action through binoculars during the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England, March 13, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Horses jump a fence during the Novices' Steeple Chase race at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England March 14, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Racegoers attend the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England March 12, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
A racegoer is seen through a window as she drinks champagne on Ladies Day, the second day of racing at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England March 13, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Poole Master falls, unseating jockey Tom Scudamore during the Specialty Handicap Steeple Chase at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England March 12, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Racegoers react as they watch a race during the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England, March 13, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Racegoers stand on a bench during the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England, March 15, 2013.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
A racegoer attends Ladies Day, the second day of racing at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England March 13, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Racehorses compete during the Supreme Novices Hurdle Race, the first race of the day, during the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England March 12, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Horses jump a fence during a hurdle race at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England, March 14, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Second Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Tony McCoy is seen during the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England, March 15, 2013. The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British- and Irish-trained horses race to an extent which is relatively rare during the rest of the season. Large amounts of money are gambled during Cheltenham Festival week, with hundreds of millions of pounds being bet over the four days. Cheltenham is often noted for its atmosphere.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Third Place: Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
A glimpse at the Baltimore Orioles season as they chase a spot for the playoffs with the home run leader Chris Davis. BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 28: A rainbow shines in the sky as pitcher Kevin Gausman #37 of the Baltimore Orioles works batter Alberto Gonzalez #40 of the New York Yankees in the fourth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 28, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 21: Center fielder Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles stands with teammates Nate McLouth #9 and Nick Markakis #21 during the national anthem before playing the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 21, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 28: Pitcher Pedro Strop #47 of the Baltimore Orioles has a moment to himself during the national anthem before playing the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 28, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 15: Nate McLouth #9 of the Baltimore Orioles stands on deck in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres as storm clouds linger over Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 15, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 28: Third basemen Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles cannot make an out on Zoilo Almonte #45 of the New York Yankees (not pictured) in the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 28, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 18: Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on againt the Colorado Rockies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 18, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 25: Baltimore Orioles grounds crew member Donald Clark takes a nap on grooming mat between the third inning of an MLB game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 25, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 17: Batter Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles hits the ground after a pitch is thrown in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 17, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 29: Left fielder Nate McLouth #9 of the Baltimore Orioles cannot catch a foul ball hit by Jayson Nix #17 of the New York Yankees (not pictured) in the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 29, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 15: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles runs to first base after hitting a grounder in front of him against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 15, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 11: Chris Dickerson #36 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates Adam Jones #10 (L) and Nick Markakis #21(R) after defeating the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 11, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place - 2013 Sports Picture Story
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 13: Designated hitter Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning RBI against the Boston Red Sox in the 13th-inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 13, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Honorable Mention: David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of Santo Spirito Bianchi Team waves to their supporters as they walk into the square during the semi-final match against the Santa Maria Novella Rossi Team at the La Santa Croce square on June 15, 2013 in Florence, Italy. Brief: Calcio Storico Fiorentino is an early form of football, originating in the 1500s, which is still played today in Florence, Italy. The official rules of calcio were written for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de Bardi, a count from Florence. Originally calcio (which is also the name for modern day football/soccer in Italy) was played for rich aristocrats, and even popes were known to play. Now, the tournament is held the third week of June at the Santa Croce square in the centre of Florence. Four teams representing the neighbourhoods of Florence face each other in the first semi-finals. The winners go to the final, played every year on June 24, the day of the patron saint of Florence, San Giovanni (however the 2013 final was postponed until June 30, due to heavy rain). The winner is honoured with a cow. The teams are formed by 27 players and the ball can be played either with feet or hands. They can fight using tactics such a punching, elbowing and all martial arts techniques, but kicks to the head are forbidden, as are fights of two or more against one. There is a referee, a field master, and six linesmen. A game lasts 50 minutes, and the winning team is the one who scores most points. The playing field is a giant sand pit with a narrow slit constituting the goal running the width of each end. Calcio Storico was not played for 200 years, until its revival in 1930. The four neighbourhoods taking part are Santa Croce (the blue team), Santa Maria Novella (the red team), Santo Spirito (the white team), and San Giovanni (the green team). In 2006, the tournament was suspended for two years after big riots between the white team and the blue team.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
La Santa Croce Azzurri Team player Leonardo Schiavoni, 40, dines as his daugther Mia Schiavoni caresses his head on June 13, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri Team during a training session at the Azzurri Headquarter on May 8, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) and relatives of the La Santa Croce Azzurri Team make a barbecue after a training session at the Azzurri Headquarter on May 8, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri Team Antonio Schiavoni, 43, (L) and his brother Leonardo Schiavoni, 40, work out boxing at their gym on June 13, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi Team pray the day before their semi-final at the Santo Spirito church on June 14, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri Team on their way by bus to La Santa Croce square before the semi-final match against the San Giovanni Verdi Team on June 16, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri (Blue) Team and Santo Spirito Bianchi (White) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri (Blue) Team and Santo Spirito Bianchi (White) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri (Blue) Team and Santo Spirito Bianchi (White) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri Team celebrate after defeating the Santo Spirito Bianchi Team during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Sports Picture Story
La Santa Croce Azzurri Team player Antonio Schiavoni, 43, celebrates after defeating the Santo Spirito Bianchi Team during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy.
David Ramos / Getty Images