Hermann Maier retires from skiing

Two-time Olympic champion Hermann Maier retired Tuesday, ending a career in which he became one of Alpine skiing’s most prolific racers and almost lost a leg in a motorcycle accident in 2001.

The 36-year-old Maier cited surgery on his right knee in the off-season as the main reason for his retirement.

The Austrian speed specialist won two golds at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, and earned three world championship titles. He won 54 World Cup races and four overall titles, putting him second only to Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark, who captured 86 race victories.

“I gave it a lot of thought but decided spontaneously that now is the best time for retirement,” Maier said.

TENNIS

Warriors Jackson no longer team captain

Disgruntled Golden State star Stephen Jackson asked to relinquish his captain title during a meeting Tuesday with Warriors Coach Don Nelson and General Manager Larry Riley.

Nelson accepted Jackson’s request and called it a “good thing” on the heels of the emotional swingman’s two-game suspension for an outburst directed at the coach early in Friday’s exhibition against the Lakers at the Forum.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West returned to practice in Independence, Ohio, after missing one week to attend to personal issues. West has been treated in the past for bipolar disorder. He was arrested in Maryland last month on misdemeanor weapons possession charges. . . . Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards were fined $25,000 apiece by the NBA because Arenas has not been talking to the media during the preseason, including before and after exhibitions.

TENNIS

Roddick halts match with pain in knee

Andy Roddick was forced to retire with left knee pain while leading Stanislas Wawrinka, 4-3, in the second round of the Shanghai Masters.

Roddick, who limped into the postmatch news conference, quit after wasting a break point.

The 22nd-ranked Wawrinka will play 13th-seeded Radek Stepanek in the third round. Lleyton Hewitt defeated John Isner, 6-2, 6-4.

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Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the second round of the Japan Women’s Open in Osaka by beating Ayumi Morita, 6-4, 6-1. The defending champion and U.S. Open runner-up had three aces in the match at Utsubo Tennis Center. She will next face Katie O’Brien.

JURISPRUDENCE

Gillispie, Kentucky settle their cases

Former men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie and the University of Kentucky have settled their cases over his firing for nearly $3 million, the school said.

Gillispie was dismissed earlier this year and sued for breach of contract and fraud in May, seeking at least $6 million. The university countersued.

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University of Louisville forward Terrence Jennings and senior guard Jerry Smith were taken into custody by Jeffersonville, Ind., police after a confrontation with off-duty officers at an alumni homecoming party early Sunday morning.

Police have asked prosecutors to charge Jennings and Smith with resisting law enforcement, battery and disorderly conduct.

GYMNASTICS

Uchimura takes lead at championships

Kohei Uchimura cruised to the top spot after the first two sessions of qualifying at the world gymnastics championships in London. His score of 90.925 points was more than 1 1/2 points better than anyone else, with one session left.

Maxim Deviatovski of Russia, the leader after the first session, is second with 89.350 points and American Tim McNeill, competing at his first major international competition, is a surprising third with 88.775 points.

ETC.

Sabean, Bochy get contract extensions

San Francisco Giants General Manager Brian Sabean and Manager Bruce Bochy each received two-year contract extensions with a club option after meeting with managing general partner Bill Neukom.

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Purdue guard Lewis Jackson has been suspended for two exhibition games and the season opener for violating team and NCAA rules. He’ll sit out the season opener against Cal State Northridge on Nov. 13.

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Coaches in the Los Angeles Unified School District could face a 50% reduction in their stipend pay under a proposal that the Los Angeles Board of Education is considering for the 2010-11 school year, according to Barbara Fiege, the City Section commissioner.

-- Eric Sondheimer