Q Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie starred in the USA’s 2004 Curtis Cup team and turned pro, but what became of teammate Erica Blasberg? — Dirk St Clements, Ipswich

A Erica Blasberg was a member of the youngest ever American Curtis Cup team. She was 19 at the time of the 2004 event, Michelle Wie was 14, Paula Creamer 17, Elizabeth Janangelo 20, Brittany Lang 18, Sarah Huarte 21, Jane Park 17 and Annie Thurman 21. When selected, Blasberg had just finished her sophomore (second) year at the University of Arizona. She was the 2003 National Golf Coaches’ Association NCAA Freshman of the Year and turned professional soon after the Curtis Cup. Unlike Creamer and Wie, she has so far found the transition difficult, finishing 109th on the 2005 LPGA Tour money list with just $52,522. She played in 16 events and made 11 cuts, but had to go back to Qualifying School and narrowly missed out on fully exempt status. Even so, there is a belief that she has what it takes to make the grade. — Gerald Barnes, Oswestry

Q In horseracing, do sheepskin nosebands serve any purpose? — Jenny Daley, Derby

A A horse’s vision is largely peripheral (to warn of predators). To get maximum forward vision as required in racing, the animal has to hold its nose pointing down. Some racehorses have a natural inclination to hold their heads high. Fitting a noseband ensures that they can see nothing in front of them if they carry their head in this way. The noseband ensures the horse keeps his nose down. This is even more relevant in National Hunt racing, where it is vital for the horse to get a good early view of the hurdle or fence. However, many Flat racing horses have also worn nosebands, notably Mill Reef in the early 1970s. — Andy Hill, Halse, near Taunton

Q Who was the last American Formula One world champion? — Dave Shaw, Bedford

A There has not been an American F1 champion since 1978, when Mario Andretti took the title. Andretti was born in Italy in 1940 but emigrated to the US with his family as a 15-year-old. He and his twin brother, Aldo, began working in their uncle’s garage in Pennsylvania and developed an interest in motor racing, initially against their father’s wishes. Eventually Aldo married and quit racing, but Mario continued and was given his first IndyCar ride in 1964. He qualified fourth-fastest in the 1965 Indianapolis 500, finished third in the race, and went on to win the IndyCar championship. He was champion again in 1966, then began to try other kinds of racing. He won Nascar’s Daytona 500 in 1967, and in 1968 he got his first F1 ride in the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, but was forced out early by clutch trouble. Andretti began to concentrate on F1 in 1977, winning four events, and in 1978 he won six races to become only the second American to win the world championship — the first was Phil Hill in 1961. Andretti returned to IndyCar racing in 1982 and won his fourth championship in 1984. In 128 grands prix he won 12 and took a further 19 podium places. — Charlie Simpson, Altrincham

Q Why does Mozambique compete in the Commonwealth Games? — Edward Mansfield, Norwich

A Only one member of the Commonwealth has never had any constitutional link to the British Empire or another Commonwealth member. Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony in east Africa, was admitted in 1995 after its first democratic elections. The move was supported by its Commonwealth neighbours, which wanted to offer support after Mozambique’s opposition to white minority regimes in Zimbabwe and South Africa. In 1997 Commonwealth heads of government said Mozambique should be seen as a special case and not set a precedent. — Ron White, Truro

Any Answers?

Send questions or answers to Peter Boyle, Q & A, The Sunday Times Sport, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST, or e-mail peter.boyle@sunday-times.co.uk

Q Is it true the 1949 boxing film The Set-Up was based on a poem, and, if so, is it still in print? — Keith Farnsworth, Sheffield

Q What triggered the violence in Celtic’s 1967 world club championship clash with Racing Club, and is the match available on DVD? — S Grewal, Ealing

Q Who was the first American owner of a Grand National winner? — Frances Jennings, Petersfield, Hampshire

Q Why are there no women’s sprint canoe events in the Olympic Games? — Sophie Flint, Portsmouth