Think of Bode Miller in shorts and balmy weather, tennis racquet in hand.

The three-time world ski champion is entered in the Hawai'i Pacific Sectional of the inaugural U.S. Open National Playoffs. Miller is one of 10 men and 13 women entered. Winners of each division qualify for the U.S. Open National Playoffs, run in conjunction with the Olympus U.S. Open Series this summer.

Those winners receive a wild card into this year's U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament, Aug. 24 to 27 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

The Hawai'i event starts Thursday at the Patsy T. Mink CORP Tennis Complex. Finals are next Sunday (June 6). It is one of 16 sectionals.

"Although we are geographically the furthest away from Flushing Meadows," said Hawai'i Pacific Section Executive Director Ron Romano, "this event certainly brings us and our tennis community closer than ever to the U.S. Open."

Miller, who has also won two Olympic silver medals and two World Cups, is coming the farthest — from New York City. He was the 1996 state singles champion in Maine and his family owns the Tamarack Tennis Camp in New Hampshire. It was founded by his grandparents.

The women's field also includes Chaminade senior Tiffany DeVincent, Sacred Hearts' Kelly Domingo and Litia Godinet, from American Samoa. Litia's brother, Muka, is in the men's draw, along with state high school runner-up Matt Westmoreland and pro Ikaika Jobe, a Punahou graduate now going to law school and serving as volunteer assistant at University of Hawai'i.

Youngest entry is 14-year-old Sarah Dvorak, from Kurtistown. Oldest is Amy Alcini, 41, from Malibu, Calif. There are players from seven states and American Samoa here.

Matches start at 2 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. the final three days.

SEVEN IN NATIONALS

Seven teams from the USTA's Hawai'i Pacific Section advanced to the national championship of the world's largest adult recreational tennis league last weekend. The teams won the Hawai'i Section Championships, at the Patsy T. Mink CORP Tennis Complex.

Winners advance to USTA League National Championships this fall on the Mainland.

The winning teams, with their hometown and captain:

Women: 3.0—Lemon Drop, Kailua-Kona, Lani Morris; 3.5—Wailea Suns, Kihei, Dorothy Crouzet-Pascal; 4.0—Kanalima, Honolulu, Betty Clark; 4.5—Wailea, Lahaina, Chris Scharein.

Men: 3.0—Latecomers II, Honolulu, Spencer Nishimura; 3.5—Tennis da Menace, Kailua, Dennis Yamamoto; 4.0—Good Vibrations, Alan Kim, Honolulu.

CLINIC TO CELEBRATE

The U.S. Professional Tennis Association Hawai'i Division will celebrate Tennis Across America Day tomorrow with a free clinic at the University of Hawai'i Tennis Complex.

It runs from 10 a.m. until noon and is open to all ages. It will be hosted by USPTA-certified professionals.

Several courts will be used with each offering a different stroke progression, drill, game or activity, including Cardio Tennis and USTA's QuickStart program. Racquets and other equipment provided free.

To register, email USPTAhawaii@yahoo.com or call 382-5968.