2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Kidnap
Between February 19 and early April 2003 seven independently mobile parties of European tourists in 4WDs and on motorcycles - 16 Germans, 10 Austrians, 4 Swiss, a Dutchman and a Swede – went missing in the UNESCO-listed Tassili N'Ajjer region of southeast Algeria, most while travelling along the popular 470-km 'Graveyard Piste' between Bordj Omar Driss and Illizi. On 13 April Algerian military sources announced the tourists had been kidnapped but were still alive, but the identity of kidnappers and their demands were not known. The 32 tourists had been divided into two groups.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Kidnap
A 1200-strong force of Algerian army and police continued to comb the area using camels, road blocks and helicopters, assisted by a team of specialist officers from anti-terrorist Special Intervention Group. One of the Swiss tourists had called relatives on their satellite phone just after his disappearance, but was cut off in mid-sentence. Many commentators remained perplexed as to how preparations for such a large scale abduction could pass unnoticed in an area where mobility is limited to one highway and a few pistes and valleys frequented by nomads and other locals.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Ransom demands
There had been no official word of any ransom demand from their kidnappers,  believed to be members of the Salafist Organisation for Prayer and Combat (known by the French acronym GSPC - Groupe Salafiste pour la Predication et le Combat), a militant Islamic group with links to Al-Qaeda. On 4 May the Algerian government admitted that it had been in talks for some weeks.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Ransom demands
Although the statement by tourism minister Lakhdar Dorbani did not say to whom officials were talking, it indirectly confirmed for the first time that the tourists had been kidnapped, rather than reiterating the government’s former line that they may have been lost. The German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer is reported to have held talks with the Algerian president on efforts to find the tourists.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Release of the first group
A group of 17 hostages was freed in a raid on 17 May. The Algerian Army claimed its men freed the group after a ‘brief gunfight’, but the Algerian newspaper al-Watan reported that they had been freed after a battle that left nine of the captors dead in a clash that lasted several hours. The Army were said to have found the captives in two groups in canyons west of Illizi and in the Gharis region, southwest of Amguid army base and 300 km southeast of the town of In Salah.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Release of the first group
The Algerian Army said that the terrorists killed in the raid were members of the GSPC. They went on to acknowledge the second group of 15 hostages held in the Tamelrik plateau (Oued Samene), 60 km southwest of Ilizzi in southeastern Algeria, were now at much greater risk. The German and Swiss governments expressed dismay at the use of force.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Release of the second group
The remaining 15 hostages left the Tamelrik plateau were on the move from mid-May, soon after the first group had been freed. They first headed north into the Erg Issassouane, then west to a plateau northwest of Amguid, spending a few weeks at each site. Algeria made contact with the kidnappers after using helicopters to drop leaflets over the area stating, ‘The authorities are ready to allow all the kidnappers to leave freely on the condition that the 15 hostages are liberated safe and well as soon as possible.’


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Release of the second group
A few days later the security forces were surprised to receive a reply saying that they were ‘ready to negotiate’ as long as their safety was guaranteed. In fact the GSPC were given safe passage with their captives by the Algerians leaving the south of the country, crossing into Mali near Timiaouine in late June or early July. In Mali it was thought negotiations for the hostages' release would be expedited. It was during this series of transits while at one of the hideouts southeast of In Salah that German hostage Michaela Spitzer suddenly died from heatstroke. The year 2003 was an exceptionally hot summer, both in Europe and the Sahara, and the low lying In Salah region is the hottest in Algeria.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Release of the second group
After being moved between the Ifoghas region of northeast Mali and Taoudenni far to the northwest, with the help of go-betweens or negotiators from the Ifoghas Tuareg led by former rebel leader, Iyad Ag Ghali, after five months in captivity the remaining group were released on 17 August.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Ransom Payment
The German government refused to be drawn on allegations of a ransom payment but press reports stated that a ransom of around €5 million had been paid to the kidnappers by the Malian government on Germany’s behalf, to be repaid in the form of future development aid. It is now known that GSPC was in fact responsible for the kidnapping. After a few months in northern Mali, the leader of the kidnappers, former soldier Amari Saifi ('El Para') fled east across Niger but fought and was captured by MDJT rebels in the Tibesti of northern Chad.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Ransom Payment
He was eventually handed over to the Algerians but to date has not been tried, raising accusations of at least partial complicity of the Algerian state or DRS secret service in the abductions. The GSPC is one of two Islamic terrorist groups that have been fighting to topple Algeria's military-backed government in a brutal insurgency over many years that has cost 100,000 lives. In 2007 the  GSPC subsequently rebranded themselves as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)  and were responsible for the two car bombs in Algiers on 12 December 2007 aimed at the Supreme Court and the offices of the UN High Commission for Refugees.


2003 Sahara hostage crisis, Ransom Payment
This was the first such kidnapping of foreigners for ransom in the Sahara, but over the next decade scores more tourists, as well as others travelling or working in the Sahara have been abducted and held in northern Mali by AQIM and other jihadist groups. Most are released following ransom payments or prisoner exchanges.


2003 Sai Kung District Council election
The 2003 Sai Kung District Council election was held on 23 November 2003 to elect all 20 elected members to the 27-member District Council.


2003 Saint Francis Cougars football team
The 2003 Saint Francis Cougars football team represented the University of Saint Francis, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the 2003 NAIA football season. They were led by head coach Kevin Donley, who served his 6th year as the first and only head coach in the history of Saint Francis football. The Cougars played their home games at Cougar Stadium and were members of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Mideast League (MEL). The Cougars finished in 1st place in the MSFA MEL division, and they received an automatic bid to the 2003 postseason NAIA playoffs.


2003 Saint Francis Red Flash football team
The 2003 Saint Francis Red Flash football team represented Saint Francis University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Red Flash were led by third-year head coach Dave Opfar and played their home games at the Pine Bowl. They finished the season 1–9 overall and 0–7 in NEC play to place last.


2003 Salford City Council election
Elections to Salford Council were held on 1 May 2003. One third of the council was up for election. The Labour Party kept overall control of the council. Overall turnout was 40.7%.


2003 Salvadoran legislative election
Legislative elections were held in El Salvador on 16 March 2003 to elect 84 deputies to the Legislative Assembly for a term of three years. The main opposition party, the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), won the most seats in election at 31. However the governing Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) won enough seats to continue in government with the Party of National Conciliation (PCN).


2003 Salvadoran legislative election, Background
ARENA had controlled the government of El Salvador since winning the 1989 presidential election. The 2003 legislative election was the fifth election since the ending of the Salvadoran Civil War in 1992.


2003 Salvadoran legislative election, Campaign
In total 11 political parties contested the election but it was seen as being primarily between ARENA and the opposition FMLN. ARENA campaigned for a mandate to continue the economic reforms they had been pursuing but was hurt in the election by a recent six-month strike by doctors. Meanwhile, FMLN won support from those who did not feel they have benefited from the economic reforms introduced by ARENA and they attacked the government over crime and declining economic growth.


2003 Salvadoran legislative election, Campaign
There were five deaths during the campaign related to the election and for three days around the election a ban on the sales of alcohol was introduced to prevent any trouble. Election day itself saw problems with the electoral list, with reports of voters not being on the list, while some dead people were listed. Turnout was low with only slightly less than 39% voting.


2003 Salvadoran legislative election, Results
The FMLN remained the largest party in the Legislative Assembly winning 31 seats the same as the previous election in 2000. ARENA lost two seats, but with their allies the Party of National Conciliation gaining 3 seats, they retained a majority. At the same time as the legislative election, the 262 municipalities held elections with the FMLN retaining the most important post, the mayoralty of San Salvador, when Carlos Rivas Zamora defeated Evelyn Jacir de Lovo of ARENA.


2003 Sammarinese local elections
The 2003 Sammarinese local elections were held on 30 November to elect the mayors and the councils of the nine municipalities of San Marino. Overall turnout was 55.4%. The election in Borgo Maggiore was declared invalid, as the turnout quorum was not reached. Therefore, a second election was held on 18 April 2004.


2003 Sammarinese local elections, Electoral system
Voters elected the mayor (Italian: capitano di castello) and the municipal council (giunta di castello). The number of seats was determined by law: the city councils of Chiesanuova, Faetano and Montegiardino were composed of eight members; the councils of Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, City of San Marino, Domagnano, Fiorentino and Serravalle were composed of 10 members.


2003 Sammarinese local elections, Electoral system
Candidates ran on lists led by a mayoral candidate. Voters elected a list and were allowed to give up to two preferential votes. Seats were allocated with the d'Hondt method if the winner had obtained at least 60% of the votes. Otherwise, six seats would have been allocated to the winning party (five seats if the council had eight members) and the rest of the seats would have been allocated using the d'Hondt method to the rest of the parties. The winning list mayoral candidate was proclaimed mayor.


2003 Sammarinese local elections, Electoral system
In the municipalities where only one list contested the election, the election was considered valid if the turnout was over 50% and the votes to the list were over 50% of the valid votes (votes to the list plus blank votes).


2003 Sammarinese local elections, Results, Borgo Maggiore
The election was declared invalid as the turnout quorum was not reached. The elections were repeated on 18 April 2004.


2003 Sammarinese voting system referendum
A referendum on the voting system was held in San Marino on 3 August 2003. The proposed change would have reduced the number of preferential votes from three to one. Although it was approved by 80.72% of voters, the number voting in favour (8,755) did not pass the required quorum of 32% of all registered voters (10,105).


2003 Sammarinese voting system referendum, Background
The original proposal was to only reduce the number of preferential votes for overseas voters. However, the Electoral Tribunal ruled on 10 June 2003, that this was inadmissible, as it differentiated between voters in the country and abroad.


2003 Samoa National League
The 2003 Samoa National League, or also known as the Upolo First Division, was the 15th edition of the Samoa National League, the top league of the Football Federation Samoa. Strickland Brothers Lepea won their second consecutive title.


2003 Samoa National League, Champion of Champions
The 'Champion of Champions' is the knockout competition held after the regular season to decide the league champion.


2003 Samoa rugby union tour of Africa
The 2003 Samoa rugby union tour of Austral Africa was a series of matches played in July 2003 in Namibia and South Africa by Samoa national rugby union team, to prepare the 2003 Rugby World Cup.


2003 Samoa rugby union tour of Africa
The Samoans played three match against South African provincial teams and one test match against Namibia.


2003 Samoa rugby union tour of Africa
Namibia: Jurie Booysen, 14.Riaan van Wyk, 13.Du Preez Grobler, 12.Corne Powell (capt), 11.Melrick Afrika, 10.Emile Wessels, 9.Hakkies Husselman, 8.Kees Lensing, 7.Hugo Horn, 6.Niel du Toit, 5.Heino Senekal, 4.Wolfie Duvenhage, 3.Eben Isaacs , 2.Schalk van der Merwe, 1.Sean Furter,  – replacements: 16.Cor van Tonder, 17.Herman Lintvelt, 18.Jurgens van Lill, 19.Ronaldo Pedro , 20.Mot Schreuder, 21.Deon Mouton    –  No entry : 22.Johan JenkinsSamoa: 15.Fa'atonu Fili, 14.Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13.Terry Fanolua, 12.Brian Lima, 11.Dom Feau'nati, 10.Earl Va'a, 9.Steve So'oialo, 8.Semo Sititi (capt), 7.Maurie Fa'asavalu, 6.Des Tuiali'i, 5.Leo Lafaiali'i, 4.Opeta Palepoi, 3.Jeremy Tomuli, 2.Jonathan Meredith, 1.Kas Lealamanu'a,  – replacements: 16.Denning Tyrell, 17.Mahonri Schwalger, 18.Tamato Leupolu , 19.Pama Petia, 20.Dale Rasmussen, 21.Gaolo Elisara


2003 San Antonio Silver Stars season
The 2003 WNBA season was the 1st season for the franchise in San Antonio and the 7th season in the league as a franchise.


2003 San Antonio Silver Stars season, Player stats
Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average


2003 San Diego Chargers season
The 2003 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 34th season in the National Football League (NFL), its 44rth overall and the second under head coach Marty Schottenheimer. They finished the campaign last in their division with only four wins and earned the #1 pick in the 2004 NFL draft. They played one “home” game during the season, against the Miami Dolphins, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona where the Arizona Cardinals played, due to the Cedar Fire.


2003 San Diego Chargers season
The team declined from the previous season, as the Chargers won four games and surrendered the second most points per game (27.6), trailing only the Arizona Cardinals during the season. On April 11, 2003 general manager John Butler died from lymphoma and A.J. Smith a former assistant to Butler took over the position for the next 10 seasons, during the season the Chargers wore a patch on their jerseys with the initials "JB" to commemorate John Butler.


2003 San Diego Chargers season, Schedule
In addition to their regular games with AFC West rivals, the Chargers played teams from the AFC North and NFC North as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Jaguars and the Dolphins based on divisional positions from 2002.


2003 San Diego Chargers season, Schedule
Oddly, this season marked the first time that the Chargers played the Jaguars, despite that team existing since 1995. This occurred due to old NFL scheduling formulas in place prior to 2002, whereby teams had no rotating schedule opposing members of other divisions within their own conference, but played interdivisional conference games according to position within a season’s table. The Chargers played the Tennessee Titans only once during this period (in 1998) but played the Bengals five times during these years.


2003 San Diego Chargers season, Schedule
In preceding years, even longer gaps between two teams playing each other had occurred. For instance the Jets never opposed the Cardinals between 1979 and 1995 inclusive.


2003 San Diego Chargers season, Schedule
The Week 8 home game against the Miami Dolphins was relocated to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona due to a massive wildfire that turned Qualcomm Stadium into an evacuation site.


2003 San Diego Padres season
The 2003 San Diego Padres season was the 35th season in franchise history.


2003 San Diego Padres season, Player stats, Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in


2003 San Diego State Aztecs football team
The 2003 San Diego State Aztecs football team represented San Diego State University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Aztecs, led by head coach Tom Craft, played their home games at the Qualcomm Stadium.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season
The 2003 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 57th season in the National Football League.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season
The team entered their 2003 season attempting to improve upon their 10–6 output from the previous year. This was the first season under head coach Dennis Erickson, whose hiring was highly controversial due to the way the coaching change was handled. The 49ers failed to surpass their 2002 record and finished the season 7–9 by losing six close games.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season
It was Terrell Owens, Garrison Hearst’s, Tai Streets, and Jeff Garcia's final season as 49ers.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
Weather 66 °F (Partly cloudy)Sunday, September 7, 2003 at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
The 49ers started the season off strongly, defeating the Bears 49–7. The game was close in the second quarter, with the 49ers leading 10–7, however, the Bears' defense gave way to the 49ers' offense who scored 39 unanswered points. The Bears were also plagued with turnovers; the team lost two fumbles and quarterback Kordell Stewart tossed three interceptions. The 49ers' offensive line performed exceptionally well, as quarterback Jeff Garcia of the 49ers was not sacked during the course of the game.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
SF- Garrison Hearst 12-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Jeff Chandler kick)SF 10-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
CHI- Desmond Clark 3-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Paul Edinger kick)SF 10-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
SF- Tai Streets 16-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (kick failed)SF 23-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
SF- Ahmed Plummer 68-yard interception return (Jeff Chandler kick)SF 30-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
Sunday, September 14, 2003 at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
Coming off of a blowout, the 49ers played a tight match against the division rivals St. Louis Rams. It was a back-and-forth game, with the lead changing hands four times. The 49ers scored a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter with a pass to Terrell Owens. In overtime, the Rams' Jeff Wilkins kicked a 28-yard (26 m) field goal to win the game, the team overcoming their four turnovers. The loss meant the 49ers started the season 1–1.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
SF- Tai Streets 16-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Jeff Chandler kick) SF 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
STL- Torry Holt 11-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick) TIED 7-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
STL- Marshall Faulk 2-yard rush (Jeff Wilkins kick) STL 14-10


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
SF- Kevan Barlow 19-yard rush (Jeff Chandler kick) SF 17-14


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
STL- Dane Looker 19-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick) STL 21-17


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
SF- Terrell Owens 13-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Jeff Chandler kick) TIED 24-24


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns
Weather 90 °F (Sunny)Sunday, September 21, 2003 at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns
In a low-scoring contest, the 49ers lost in a squeaker. After a scoreless first quarter, the 49ers struck first, however, they could not get into the endzone, scoring only four field goals. However, it appeared it would be sufficient; the 49ers led 12–0 in the final quarter. This would not be the case, though, as Browns' quarterback Kelly Holcomb went on to throw two touchdown passes. Losing dropped the 49ers to 1–2.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns
CLE- André Davis 2-yard pass from Kelly Holcomb (Phil Dawson kick)SF 12-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns
CLE- André Davis 11-yard pass from Kelly Holcomb (pass failed) CLE 13-12


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
Playing against the undefeated Vikings, the 49ers were unable to keep pace with their opponent. Scoring only in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, the 49ers were, at one point, behind 35–0. Several times the 49ers came within striking distance, however, three interceptions sealed their fate. The 49ers lost their third consecutive game and fell to 1–3.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
MIN- Randy Moss 15-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Aaron Elling kick) MIN 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
MIN- Onterrio Smith 5-yard rush (Aaron Elling kick) MIN 14-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
MIN- Randy Moss 35-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Aaron Elling kick) MIN 21-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
MIN- Nate Burleson 22-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Aaron Elling kick) MIN 28-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
MIN- Randy Moss 59-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Aaron Elling kick) MIN 28-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
SF- Tai Streets 37-yard pass from Tim Rattay (Owen Pochman kick) MIN 35-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
Weather 71 °F (Partly cloudy)Sunday, October 5, 2003 at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
Attempting to snap a three-game losing streak, the 49ers hosted the Detroit Lions, who were led by former head coach Steve Mariucci. A game riddled with errors, the 49ers fumbled three times (recovery each time), Jeff Garcia threw an interception, and Joey Harrington tossed two. The Lions never led, with the 49ers opening up a 17–0 lead in the second quarter. With their first win since the season opener, the 49ers moved up to 2–3.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
SF- Terrell Owens 6-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Owen Pochman kick) SF 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
SF- Aaron Walker 14-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Owen Pochman kick) SF 17-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
DET- Mikhael Ricks 6-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Jason Hanson kick) SF 17-10


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
SF- Jeff Garcia 1-yard rush (Owen Pochman kick) SF 24-10


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
DET- Olandis Gary 2-yard rush (Jason Hanson kick) SF 24 -17


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
For the second time in four games, the 49ers lost by a one-point differential. Playing against division rival Seahawks, the 49ers fell behind 17–0 before halftime and had to play catch up in the second half. Slowly closing the gap, the 49ers scored 19 straight points to take the lead 19–17.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
However, the defense was unable to stop the Seahawks' 2-minute drill as Seattle's team drove into field goal range and scored the game-winning field goal off the foot of kicker Josh Brown and on the final drive of the game, Garrison Hearst fumbled the ball away at their own 43-yard-line to seal the loss. With the loss, the 49ers fell to 2–4.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
SEA- Itula Mili 15-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck (Josh Brown kick)SEA 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
SEA- Mack Strong 21-yard rush (Josh Brown kick) SEA 17-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
SF- Garrison Hearst 6-yard rush (Owen Pochman kick) SEA 17-10


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Weather 73 °F (Sunny)Sunday, October 19, 2003 at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hosting the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 49ers got their third win of the season, knocking off the Buccaneers 24–7. The 49ers led the entire game and statistically dominated on both sides of the ball, both scoring often and forcing turnovers. Both teams were able to score touchdowns on passes of 75 yards (69 m). With the victory, the 49ers moved to 3–4 on the season.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SF- Garrison Hearst 7-yard rush (Owen Pochman kick) SF 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TB- Keenan McCardell 75-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Martin Gramatica kick) TIED 7-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SF- Tai Streets 14-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Owen Pochman kick) SF 14-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SF- Terrell Owens 75-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Owen Pochman kick) SF 21-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 8: at Arizona Cardinals
In an attempt to win their second-straight game for the first time this season, the 49ers traveled to Arizona to play against their division rival, the Cardinals. The game was close throughout, being tied up in the fourth quarter off a one-yard fumble return for a touchdown. However, it was decided in Arizona's favor in overtime with a 39-yard (36 m) field goal. In that game, kicker Owen Pochman missed two field goals and an extra point, and would be replaced by Todd Peterson for the rest of the season. With the loss, the 49ers instead of improving to .500, they dropped to 3–5.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 8: at Arizona Cardinals
AZ- Jeff Blake 1-yard rush (Tim Duncan kick) AZ 7-6


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 8: at Arizona Cardinals
SF- Kwame Harris 1-yard fumble return (Owen Pochman kick) TIED 13-13


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
At San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick PointWeather 55 °F (Mostly cloudy)Sunday, November 2, 2003


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
Playing their second straight game against a division rival, the 49ers hosted the St. Louis Rams. The 49ers kick returner Cedrick Wilson returned the opening kick 95 yards (87 m) for a touchdown and the 49ers would not relinquish their lead. The 49ers offense became potent, opening up a 30–3 lead in the third quarter. The win brought the 49ers up to 4–5 heading into their bye week.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
SF- Cedrick Wilson 95-yard kickoff return (Todd Peterson kick) SF 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
SF- Terrell Owens 5-yard pass from Tim Rattay (Todd Peterson kick) SF 14-3


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
SF- Brandon Lloyd 27-yard pass from Tim Rattay (Todd Peterson kick) SF 24-3


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
SF- Tai Streets 5-yard pass from Tim Rattay (kick failed) SF 30-3


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
STL- Torry Holt 41-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick) SF 30-10


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
At San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick PointWeather 54 °F (Clear)Monday, November 17, 2003


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Coming off their bye, the 49ers strung together their second straight victory, this time over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 49ers shut out the Steelers in the first half, leading 10–0 at halftime. The Steelers offense came together in the second half to put some points on the board, statistically leading the 49ers, however it wasn't enough to close the gap. The 49ers' victory brought them to 5–5.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
SF- Terrell Owens 61-yard pass from Tim Rattay (Todd Peterson kick) SF 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
PIT- Jerome Bettis 1-yard rush (Jeff Reed kick) SF 10-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
SF- Kevan Barlow 78-yard rush (Todd Peterson kick) SF 17-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
SF- Fred Beasley 28-yard pass from Tim Rattay (Todd Peterson kick) SF 24-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
PIT- Antwaan Randle El 32-yard pass from Tommy Maddox (Jeff Reed kick) SF 30-14


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 12: at Green Bay Packers
After completing their first two-game win streak of the season, the 49ers traveled to their conference rival, the Green Bay Packers in Week 12. The Packers dominated on both sides of the ball, leading 17–3 at the half. Despite forcing Brett Favre into throwing three interceptions, the 49ers offense could only manage 192 total yards, a majority coming off the performance of their two star players, Garrison Hearst and Terrell Owens. Losing dropped the 49ers back under .500, at 5–6.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 12: at Green Bay Packers
GB- Javon Walker 66-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick) GB 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 12: at Green Bay Packers
GB- Robert Ferguson 16-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick) GB 14-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 12: at Green Bay Packers
SF- Terrell Owens 24-yard pass from Tim Rattay (Todd Peterson kick) GB 17-10


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens
The 49ers were dismantled by the Ravens easily, 44–6, with the 49ers limited to only two field goals. The 49ers were plagued with turnovers, quarterback Jeff Garcia throwing four interceptions, one of which was returned 29 yards (27 m) for a touchdown by Ray Lewis. With the loss, the 49ers fell to 5–7, including six losses on the road.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens
BAL- Jamal Lewis 6-yard rush (Matt Stover kick) BAL 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens
BAL- Marcus Robinson 38-yard pass from Anthony Wright (Matt Stover kick) BAL 17-6BAL- Ray Lewis 29-yard interception return (Matt Stover kick) BAL 24-6


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens
BAL- Terry Jones 6-yard pass from Anthony Wright (Matt Stover kick) BAL 34-6


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens
BAL- Musa Smith 2-yard rush (Matt Stover kick) BAL 44-6


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick PointWeather 55 °F (Sunny)Sunday, December 7, 2003


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
After an embarrassing loss, the 49ers regrouped to beat division rival, the Arizona Cardinals 50–14. The 49ers' offense dominated throughout the game, at one point leading 36–0 and rolling up nearly 500 yards (460 m) of total offense. A rare safety was also scored, just after halftime. The defense also performed well, forcing two fumbles. With the win, the 49ers climbed to 6–7 on the season.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
SF- Jeff Garcia 3-yard rush (Todd Peterson kick) SF 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
SF- Terrell Owens 1-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) SF 14-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
SF- Tai Streets 18-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) SF 21-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
SF- Cedrick Wilson 27-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (kick failed) SF 27-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
SF- Terrell Owens 2-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) SF 34-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
AZ- James Hodgins 3-yard pass from Josh McCown (Neil Rackers kick) 36-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
SF- Jeff Garcia 4-yard rush (Todd Peterson kick) SF 43-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
SF- Kevan Barlow 46-yard rush (Todd Peterson kick) SF 50-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Arizona Cardinals
AZ- Anquan Boldin 16-yard pass from Josh McCown (Neil Rackers kick) SF 50-14


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
A high-scoring shootout, the 49ers were slightly outscored by the Bengals, 41–38. The 49ers topped 500 yards (460 m) of total offense, but surprisingly never led in this close game. This can be partially attributed to their four fumbles, three of which were lost to the Bengals. One fumble was returned 10 yards (9.1 m) for a touchdown by Bengals' Kevin Hardy. The loss meant the 49ers fell to 6–8. Of the 49ers' season, this was the 13th time in 14 games in which the home team won (including the last 11 games), the home team outscoring the visitor 422–199 so far this season.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
CIN- Chad Johnson 10-yard pass from Jon Kitna (Shayne Graham kick) CIN 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
CIN- Kevin Hardy 10-yard fumble return (Shayne Graham kick) CIN 14-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
SF- Terrell Owens 58-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) CIN 14-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
SF- Tai Streets 41-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) TIED 14-14


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
CIN- Peter Warrick 31-yard pass from Jon Kitna (Shayne Graham kick) CIN 21-14


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
CIN- Rudi Johnson 49-yard rush (Shayne Graham kick) CIN 28-17


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
SF- Jeff Garcia 6-yard rush (Todd Peterson kick) CIN 31-24


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
SF- Kevan Barlow 1-yard rush (Todd Peterson kick) CIN 34-31


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
CIN- Rudi Johnson 3-yard rush (Shayne Graham kick) CIN 41-31


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
SF- Kevan Barlow 3-yard rush (Todd Peterson kick) CIN 41-38


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
Another squeaker, this game marked the sixth time this season the 49ers played a game that was decided three points or less, and the only one of those six in which the 49ers walked away with a victory.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
The 49ers outgained the Eagles, 414 to 293, and dominated in time of possession, but they failed to put away the Eagles in regulation due largely to three special teams miscues by punter Bill LaFleur: a fumbled hold on a first-quarter field goal attempt, a punt returned 81 yards for a touchdown by Brian Westbrook, and an 8-yard punt that set up an Eagles touchdown. But the 49ers were able to win when kicker Todd Peterson from 22 yards (20 m) out during overtime. With the victory, the 49ers moved up to 7–8.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
SF- Kevan Barlow 15-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) SF 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
PHI- Duce Staley 7-yard rush (David Akers kick) TIED 7-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
PHI- Duce Staley 1-yard rush (David Akers kick) PHI 14-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
SF- Brandon Lloyd 33-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) TIED 14-14


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
PHI- Brian Westbrook 81-yard punt return (David Akers kick)  PHI 21-14


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
SF- Kevan Barlow 1-yard rush (Brandon Lloyd pass from Jeff Garcia)  SF 28-21


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
PHI- Todd Pinkston 19-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick) TIED 28-28


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick PointWeather 49 °F (Partly Cloudy)Saturday, December 27, 2003


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The last game of the season, the 49ers hosted division rival Seattle Seahawks. The game was tied at the end of the first quarter and again at halftime, but the 49ers were unable to keep in during the second half, losing 24–17. With the loss, the 49ers clinched a losing season, at 7–9, after winning the division the previous year.


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
SF- Jed Weaver 18-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) SF 7-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
SF- Cedrick Wilson 14-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Todd Peterson kick) SF 14-0


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
SEA- Alex Bannister 31-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck (Josh Brown kick) SF 14-7


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
SEA- Shaun Alexander 3-yard rush (Josh Brown kick) TIED 14-14


2003 San Francisco 49ers season, Regular season, Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
SEA- Koren Robinson 30-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck (Josh Brown kick) SEA 21-17


2003 San Francisco Bowl
The 2003 San Francisco Bowl was the second edition of the post-season college football bowl game between the Colorado State Rams and the Boston College Eagles at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco on December 31, 2003. The game was the final contest of the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 35–21 victory for Boston College.


2003 San Francisco Giants season
The 2003 San Francisco Giants season was the Giants' 121st year in Major League Baseball, their 46th year in San Francisco since their move from New York following the 1957 season, and their fourth at Pacific Bell Park. The Giants finished in first place in the National League West with a record of 100 wins and 61 losses. They lost the National League Division Series in four games to the Florida Marlins.


2003 San Francisco Giants season, Regular season
The Giants only played 161 games. One game (at New York Mets) was postponed due to the Northeast Blackout of 2003 and was not rescheduled as it had no playoff implications.


2003 San Francisco Giants season, Regular season
Ray Durham and Benito Santiago became the first pair of Giants teammates to homer in each of the team's first two games of a season since at least 1901.


2003 San Francisco Giants season, Regular season
On June 23 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Barry Bonds stole second in the 11th inning, the 500th steal of his career. He became the first major leaguer to collect 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases in a career.


2003 San Francisco Giants season, Player stats, Batting, Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in


2003 San Francisco Giants season, Player stats, Batting, Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in


2003 San Francisco Giants season, Player stats, Pitching, Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


2003 San Francisco Giants season, Player stats, Pitching, Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


2003 San Francisco Giants season, Player stats, Pitching, Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


2003 San Francisco Giants season, 2003 National League Division Series
The Giants lost to the Florida Marlins in the NLDS.


2003 San Francisco Giants season, 2003 National League Division Series
This was the last playoff series that the Giants lost before winning 10 straight, a streak that ended in the 2016 division series against the Chicago Cubs.


2003 San Francisco mayoral election
The 2003 San Francisco mayoral election occurred on November 4, 2003. The incumbent, Willie Brown, was termed out of office and could not seek a third term. The general election included three top candidates including then Supervisor Gavin Newsom and then president of the board of supervisors, Matt Gonzalez and former supervisor Angela Alioto. No candidate received the required majority, so the race went into a run-off of the two top candidates, which were Gavin Newsom and Matt Gonzalez. The run-off occurred on December 9, 2003, where Gavin Newsom was elected mayor of San Francisco.


2003 San Francisco mayoral election
Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, though most candidates in San Francisco do receive funding and support from various political parties.


2003 San Francisco mayoral election
In 2003, then-supervisor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, ran in a large field of challengers, including Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, Supervisor Tom Ammiano, former supervisor Angela Alioto, city treasurer Susan Leal, and former police chief Tony Ribera. Newsom and Gonzalez took first and second place, respectively, but neither won a majority, so the two advanced to a runoff election. Third party advocates saw it as a chance to dethrone the Democratic Party.


2003 San Francisco mayoral election
Newsom ran as a moderate against leftist/progressive Gonzalez, a member of the Green Party. It was the first mayoral election in San Francisco that a Green Party candidate took a noticeable amount of the vote. The election was close, with Gonzalez leading in the polls and winning the popular vote among ballots cast on election day, while Newsom had a larger lead on absentee ballots. The strong showing of the Green Party's performance can somewhat be attributed to Peter Camejo making an rare second place finish in San Francisco County behind incumbent Democratic governor Gray Davis and ahead of Republican Bill Simon in the 2002 California gubernatorial election, a year prior.


2003 San Jose Earthquakes season
The 2003 San Jose Earthquakes season was the eighth season of the team's existence, and saw the franchise win its second MLS Cup.


2003 San Jose Earthquakes season, Squad, Current squad
As of December 26, 2012. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003 San Jose State Spartans football team
The 2003 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team played their home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. They participated as members of the Western Athletic Conference. They were coached by head coach Fitz Hill.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix
The 2003 San Marino Grand Prix (formally the Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003) was a Formula One motor race held on 20 April 2003 at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, with the race taking place on Easter Sunday. It was the fourth round of the 2003 Formula One season  The 62-lap race was won by Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher for the Ferrari team after starting from pole position. Kimi Räikkönen, driving for McLaren, finished second with Rubens Barrichello third in the other Ferrari. The remaining points-scoring positions were filled by Ralf Schumacher (Williams), David Coulthard (McLaren), Fernando Alonso (Renault), Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams) and Jenson Button (BAR). Schumacher's victory for Ferrari was his and the team's first of the season.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix
Schumacher and his brother Ralf raced despite the death of their mother Elisabeth before the Grand Prix. The brothers led the field at the start with Ralf leading having overtaken Michael and held the lead until the first round of pit stops.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix
As a consequence of the race, Räikkönen increased his lead in the World Drivers' Championship, over teammate David Coulthard to 13 points with Michael Schumacher climbing to third. In the World Constructors Championship, McLaren increased their lead to 16 points with Ferrari overtaking Renault for second.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Background
Heading into the fourth race of the season, McLaren driver Kimi Räikkönen was leading the World Drivers' Championship with 24 points, teammate David Coulthard was second on 15 points, 9 points behind Räikkönen. Behind Räikkönen and Coulthard in the Drivers' Championship, Fernando Alonso was third on 14 points in a Renault, with Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli on 10 and 9 points respectively. In the World Constructors' Championship, McLaren were leading on 39 points and Renault were second on 23 points, with Ferrari on 16 points.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Background
At the preceding Brazilian Grand Prix, confusion caused by a red flag at the end of the race led to Räikkönen being declared the winner. An investigation by Formula One's governing body the FIA in the days following the race proved that Fisichella had been the actual victor. The investigation discovered that Fisichella started his 56th lap when the red flag was shown and the results were rolled back to 54 laps. Under the countback rule, the driver leading two laps before a race is stopped is declared the winner.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Background
During a meeting organised by the teams, the countback rule would be placed under review having highlighted potential problems. Fifteen minutes before the start of the first practice session, a ceremony was held in which Räikkönen and McLaren team principal Ron Dennis presented their winners' trophies to Fisichella and Jordan team principal Eddie Jordan.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Background
Ferrari originally planned to debut its new car the F2003-GA at Imola. However, issues with reliability led to the decision to race the F2002. Ferrari stated the F2002 was still a competitive car and believed racing the F2003-GA would be "risky" despite testing the car at Mugello and Fiorano.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Friday drivers
The 3 teams in the 2003 Constructors' Championship had the right to drive a third car on Friday that were involved in additional training. These drivers did not compete in qualifying or the race.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Practice and qualifying
Three practice sessions were held before the race; the first was held from 11:00 to 12:00 local time on Friday, and two 45 minute timed sessions were also held on Saturday from 09:00 to 09:45 and 10:15 to 11:00 local time. The Qualifying session was run as a one-lap session and took place on Friday and Saturday afternoon. The cars were run one at a time; the Friday running order was determined with the Championship leading heading out first. The Saturday running order was determined by times set in Friday afternoon qualifying with the fastest heading out last and the slowest running first. The lap times from the Friday afternoon session did not determine the grid order.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Practice and qualifying
Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya set the pace in the Friday free practice, which took place in dry and sunny conditions, with a time of 1:21.335. Montoya was less than sixth hundredths of a second behind, ahead of Jaguar driver Mark Webber, Coulthard, Alonso and BAR driver Jenson Button. Michael Schumacher clipped the kerb at the Variante Bassa chicane, damaging the Ferrari's left rear suspension.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Practice and qualifying
In the Saturday afternoon qualifying session, Schumacher clinched his second pole position of the season with a time of 1:22.327. He was joined on the front row by his brother Ralf Schumacher, who was 14 thousands of a seconds behind. Rubens Barrichello was third in the other Ferrari, with Montoya fourth. Webber took fifth, with Räikkönen taking sixth. Minardi driver Jos Verstappen crashed into the wall at the Variane Alta chicane becoming the first driver to not set a competitive lap time under the new qualifying format.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Race
The race took place in the afternoon and started at 14:00 local time, in dry and clear weather. As usual, the race was broadcast worldwide, with the "World Feed" coverage being produced by host broadcaster RAI. Michael Schumacher, from pole position on the grid, lost the lead from Ralf Schumacher before the first corner. Webber, from fifth, made a poor start dropping down to eleventh. Räikkonen managed to gain one position for fifth with teammate Coulthard making the best start and gained four places to go into eighth position. Webber's teammate Antônio Pizzonia stalled on the grid. Trackside marshals pushed Pizzonia's car to the exit of the pitlane where Jaguar mechanics managed to restart the car's engine enabling Pizzonia rejoin at the back of the field.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Post-race
Ralf and Michael Schumacher raced despite the death of their mother Elisabeth just hours before the race with the pair flying on a private jet to Cologne to be at her side. They sported black armbands and no champagne was sprayed on the podium as a mark of respect. Ralf also sported a black stripe on his racing helmet. The Schumacher brothers left the circuit immediately after the podium celebrations and Ferrari team principal Jean Todt took Michael's place at the post-race press conference. Race stewards Tony Scott-Andrews, Roger Peart and Giuseppe Musiconi formally excused the Schumacher brothers from the pre and post-race formalities.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Post-race
At the subsequent post-race press conference, Todt revealed that Schumacher made the decision to compete in the Grand Prix with Ferrari giving their full support to Schumacher. Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug expressed sympathy for the Schumacher brothers while also praising them for their performance during the race.


2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Report, Post-race
As a consequence of the race, Räikkönen increased his lead in the World Drivers' Championship, over teammate David Coulthard to 13 points with Schumacher climbing to third. In the World Constructors Championship, McLaren increased their lead to 16 points with Ferrari overtaking Renault for second.


2003 San Miguel Beermen season
The 2003 San Miguel Beermen season was the 29th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).


2003 San Miguel Beermen season, Finals stint
After missing out the finals in the last five conferences, the Beermen made it to the championship playoffs in the Reinforced Third Conference. The Beermen dropped their first five games in the eliminations, playing without an import in their first game before returnee Shea Seals suited up. Seals was replaced by Eric Dailey, who played one game before the Beermen reactivate Seals only to be replaced again this time by former Sta. Lucia import Kwan Johnson, who led the team to their first victory in their six outing, an 85–73 win over Purefoods TJ Hotdogs on September 26.


2003 San Miguel Beermen season, Finals stint
San Miguel had five wins and eight losses at the end of the elimination round. The Beermen scored a two-game sweep off FedEx Express in the best-of-three quarterfinals and a three-game sweep over Sta.Lucia Realtors in the best-of-five semifinals to make it all the way to the championship series against the Coca-Cola Tigers. The Beermen led 2–1 in the series but lost to the Tigers in seven games.


2003 San Miguel Beermen season, Occurrences
Center Dorian Peña was suspended for two games during the All-Filipino Cup when he was tested positive of traces of marijuana in a drug test conducted by the PBA.


2003 San Miguel Beermen season, Occurrences
On June 12, two-time MVP Benjie Paras came out of retirement to sign a two-month contract with San Miguel, only his second team in a 14-year PBA career that started in 1989. The former Shell franchise player announced his retirement earlier in the year.


2003 San Miguel Beermen season, Occurrences
When Kwan Johnson suffered a groin injury in Game one of the PBA Reinforced Conference finals, San Miguel played importless in the second game of the title series which they lost via rout. The Beermen decided to tap NBA veteran Cedric Ceballos as a temporary replacement in Game three and then opted to stick with Kwan Johnson for the rest of the finals series.


2003 San Simeon earthquake
The 2003 San Simeon earthquake struck at 11:15 PST (19:15 UTC) on December 22 on the Central Coast of California, about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of San Simeon. Probably centered in the Oceanic fault zone within the Santa Lucia Mountains, it was caused by thrust faulting and the rupture propagated southeast from the hypocenter for 12 miles (19 km).


2003 San Simeon earthquake
The most violent ground movement was within 50 miles of the epicenter, though the earthquake was felt as far away as Los Angeles. With a moment magnitude of 6.6, it was the most destructive earthquake to hit the United States since the Northridge quake of 1994.


2003 San Simeon earthquake, Damage
The area around the epicenter being sparsely populated, the most severe damage was in Paso Robles, 24 miles (39 km) east-southeast. Two women were killed when the Acorn Building, an unreinforced masonry structure built in 1892, collapsed. Other unreinforced masonry buildings, some more than a century old, were extensively damaged. No structure that had even partial retrofitting collapsed.


2003 San Simeon earthquake, Damage
Two sulfur hot springs in Paso Robles erupted after the earthquake. One was underneath the parking lot of the recently opened city hall/library building. There was formerly a bath house at the location, and the spring was capped after it closed down. Hot water and sediment were released at a rate of about 1,300 gallons per minute (4,900 liters per minute), forming a large sinkhole and endangering the building. Emergency efforts saved the building. However, it took until 2010 to fully repair the damage and fill in the hole. This was mainly caused by the requirement for a full Environmental Impact Study, and the inability to do any work on the project, other than the initial emergency work. Another hot spring flowed out of the embankment at the Paso Robles Street exit on U.S. Route 101.


2003 San Simeon earthquake, Damage
Other unreinforced masonry buildings, some more than a century old, in the city's historic downtown area also had extensive damage. However, none of the buildings that had even partial retrofitting collapsed. There was a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the relatives of the 2 women killed in the earthquake against Mary Mastagni, and several trusts which owned the Acorn Building. The jury found Mastagni negligent in the care and maintenance of the Acorn Building, due to not retrofitting the building, in violation of city ordinances. The jury awarded nearly $2 million to the plaintiffs.


2003 San Simeon earthquake, Damage
Outside of Paso Robles the damage was less severe, with unreinforced masonry buildings taking minor to moderate damage. Buildings even 40 miles from the epicenter in San Luis Obispo suffered minor damage such as ceiling tiles falling. Brick veneers were also disproportionately affected. In addition, water tanks in Paso Robles, Templeton and Los Osos were damaged. Residential buildings, predominantly one- to two-story wood-frame structures, weathered the quake with little or no damage. The building that housed Atascadero's City Hall was damaged and vacated shortly after the quake. After extensive repairs, it reopened in August 2013.


2003 San Simeon earthquake, Damage
Some wineries, especially those near the epicenter along State Route 46, reported damage such as barrels toppling and bursting. The Mission San Miguel Arcángel had $15 million worth of damage. The earthquake also caused extensive damage to George H. Flamson Middle School. The main building was damaged and had to be demolished in 2004. A new building reflecting the original 1924 building was opened for use in August 2010. In Templeton, Bethel Lutheran Church (ELCA), sustained major damage to its 110+ year old building and the apse had to be rebuilt.


2003 San Simeon earthquake, Aftermath
Following the event, California enacted A.B. 2533, amending the California Business and Professions Code § 8875.8, requiring that certain unreinforced masonry buildings that have not been seismically retrofitted have posted notice of the potential earthquake hazard. The law was called Jenna's Bill, after Jennifer Myrick, who died in the quake.


2003 San Simeon earthquake, Faulting
The area where the quake struck displays complex faulting, between the Oceanic Fault and Nacimiento Fault zones, along with possible interaction from the Hosgri fault and San Simeon Fault zones.


2003 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election
The 2003 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 1 May 2003 to elect members of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in the West Midlands, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Labour Party stayed in overall control of the council.


2003 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election, Campaign
Before the election the Labour party held control of the council with 57 seats, while the Conservatives had 8 seats and the Liberal Democrats 6 seats. A further seat was vacant in Great Bridge ward after the death of Labour councillor Jean Marson. 24 seats were being contested in the election by a total of 83 candidates. Labour was defending 20 of the 24 seats, with the mayor and 5 members of the cabinet among those contesting the election. The Conservatives contested every seat, the Socialist Labour Party stood in 15 seats, Liberal Democrats 10, British National Party 5 and there were 2 candidates from the Freedom Party.


2003 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election, Campaign
The candidates from the British National Party and the Freedom Party caused controversy, with the UNISON trade union calling on its members to vote against them and boycott any councillors from those parties. A local Labour Member of Parliament Tom Watson meanwhile said that property prices would fall if any candidates from the British National Party were elected.


2003 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election, Election result
The results saw the British National Party win 2 seats on the council for the first time. The British National Party's John Salvage gained Princes End by 37 votes and David Watkins took Great Bridge by nearly 100 votes. Meanwhile, Labour held control of the council despite dropping seats. The Conservatives gained 1 seat, while the Liberal Democrats stayed on 6 seats.


2003 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election, Election result
The first council meeting following the election on 20 May saw a protest by union members against the presence of a British National Party councillor.


2003 Santa Fe flood
This article is about the flooding of Santa Fe, capital of the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, in April 2003. Santa Fe is the fifth most populated city in Argentina (~370,000 inhabitants), and it is surrounded by rivers. The flooding was described as the worst since the city was founded in 1573.


2003 Santa Fe flood
At the end of April 2003, several days of heavy rainfall caused some major rivers in the Santa Fe area to rise as much as 50 cm in 12 hours. The water level of the Salado River (which flows through the north of the province and empties into the Paraná) rose by almost two metres in just three hours.


2003 Santa Fe flood
On 28 April, the Salado overflowed its margins and flooded large sections of Santa Fe. About 100,000 people had to be evacuated, 154 people died, and 28,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. A dyke had to be blown up in order for ease the flow of the floodwaters out of the city. In this key area for the agricultural and ranching industries, over 30,000 km2 of farmland were destroyed. The flood hit the capital hardest, but many other communities were also affected.


2003 Santa Fe flood
The flood was unusual because it is generally the east side of Santa Fe, beside the Paraná, which is affected by floodings. Salado River floodings are less usual.


2003 Santa Fe flood
Soon after the initial flooding, President Eduardo Duhalde declared the province a "disaster zone" and announced a $2 million emergency aid package. The World Bank later offered an additional $110 million. The Red Cross launched an emergency appeal in response to the flooding on 6 May.


2003 Santa Fe flood
According to a UN assessment requested by the provincial governor Carlos Reutemann, the total damages were about $1,000 million, and implied the loss of about 12% of Santa Fe's GDP.


2003 Santa Fe flood
The rains continued into the next days, exacerbating the catastrophe. As of 8 May, a quarter of Santa Fe remained under water. Precarious evacuation centres appeared in the capital and nearby towns to accommodate the evacuees.


2003 Santa Fe flood
The provincial government was heavily criticized for ignoring warnings about the possibility of a sudden rise of the Salado River, and for ignoring appeals to build the necessary preventive infrastructure to contain or divert floods. The official treatment of the people who lost their homes, possessions and jobs was also questioned; food relief and promised subsidies for reconstruction were insufficient. Governor Reutemann saw the end of his term in office marked by these problems. The critical situation of Argentina at the time (recovering from a major economic crisis) did not help. On 30 January 2004, nine months after the flood and under the administration of Jorge Obeid, a demonstration asking for government assistance to those affected by the flood ended with the burning of the government house's facade and several offices destroyed.


2003 Santos FC season
The 2003 season was Santos Futebol Clube's ninety-first season in existence and the club's fifty consecutive season in the top flight of Brazilian football.


2003 Santos FC season, Players, Squad information
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003 Sarasota Clay Court Classic
The 2003 Sarasota Clay Court Classic was a women's tennis event played on outdoor green clay courts in Sarasota, Florida in the United States that was part of the Tier IV category on the 2003 WTA Tour. It was the second and last edition of the tournament and was held from March 31 through April 6, 2003. Second-seeded Anastasia Myskina won the singles title.


2003 Sarasota Clay Court Classic, Finals, Doubles
Liezel Huber /   Martina Navratilova defeated  Shinobu Asagoe  /  Nana Miyagi, 7–6(10–8), 6–3


2003 Sarasota Clay Court Classic – Doubles
Jelena Dokić and Elena Likhovtseva were the defending champions, but Likhovtseva chose not to compete in 2003. Dokić played with Nadia Petrova, but lost in the quarterfinals.


2003 Sarasota Clay Court Classic – Singles
Jelena Dokić was the defending champion, but lost in the first round to Paola Suárez.


2003 Sarasota Clay Court Classic – Singles
Anastasia Myskina won the title, defeating Alicia Molik in the final in straight sets.


2003 Saskatchewan Roughriders season
The 2003 Saskatchewan Roughriders finished in 3rd place in the West Division with an 11–7 record. They defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West Semi-Final, but lost the West Final to the Edmonton Eskimos.


2003 Saskatchewan Scott Tournament of Hearts
The 2003 Saskatchewan Scott Tournament of Hearts women's provincial curling championship, was held January 22–26 at the Balgonie Stardome in Balgonie, Saskatchewan. The winning team of Jan Betker, represented Saskatchewan at the 2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts in Kitchener, Ontario, where the team finished round robin with a 7-4 record, losing the 3-4 game to Newfoundland's Cathy Cunningham.


2003 Saskatchewan general election
The 2003 Saskatchewan general election was held on November 5, 2003, to elect the 58 members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan (MLAs). The election was called on October 8 by Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Lynda Haverstock, on the advice of Premier Lorne Calvert.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Campaign
Going into the election, the popularity of the New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan (NDP) had declined because of several controversies.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Campaign
Voters in this agrarian province were disgruntled because of a mediocre harvest, a disastrous summer for cattle producers – the American border had been closed to Canadian beef due to fears of mad cow disease; and the actions of a member of the NDP Cabinet who was found to have misled the people of the province on the nature of the Saskatchewan Potato Utility Development Company ("SPUDCO") – a publicly owned potato company that was inappropriately characterized as a public-private partnership.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Campaign
Election issues included emigration (the province's population was falling because young people were leaving the province to look for work), honesty and integrity, privatization of public inter-city transit and energy supplies, and utility rates.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Campaign
During the campaign, the NDP was attacked for an internal cartoon that had been leaked to the media. It depicted Saskatchewan Party leader Elwin Hermanson directing persons labeled 'NDP sympathizers' onto railway boxcars. The cartoon referred to speculation that, if elected, Hermanson would replace civil servants who were NDP supporters with Saskatchewan Party supporters. However, many associated it with the Holocaust – in particular Nazi Germany's deportation of Jews to concentration camps.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Campaign
The campaign as a whole was seen as being quite negative, as the NDP constantly claimed that the Saskatchewan Party had a 'secret agenda' to privatize crown corporations to finance large tax cuts for business; the Saskatchewan Party had a difficult time refuting these claims, as several party members made comments that seemed consistent with this view.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Campaign
Unlike many of the other provincial elections held in 2003, the election was widely regarded as too close to call up until a large proportion of the polls had reported. To the surprise of observers who believed the NDP would be affected by the poor pre-election conditions, the NDP won its fourth term in government. It actually picked up the one seat it needed for a bare majority. The election was ultimately decided in Regina Wascana Plains, which the NDP won by only 543 votes. Had the Saskatchewan Party won here, both parties would have had 29 seats each. All of the NDP's ministers were re-elected; except for two who had defected to the party from the Liberals.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Campaign
The Saskatchewan Party cemented its grip on most of the rural seats, yet was unable to make further gains in urban areas. It won two additional seats in Saskatoon, but was completely shut out in Regina (though as mentioned above it nearly won Regina Wascana Plains). Believing he had taken the party as far as he could, Hermanson resigned as leader on November 18, 2003.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Campaign
Although speculation was high that they could form the balance of power in the case of a minority government, the Liberals lost their one seat, shutting them out of the legislature for the first time since 1982. As of 2020, they have yet to return.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Results
Note: * Party did not nominate candidates in previous election.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Riding-by-riding results
People in bold represent cabinet ministers and the Speaker. Party leaders are italicized. The symbol " ** " represents MLAs who are not running again.


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Opinion polls
NDP – 42%Saskatchewan Party – 39%Liberals – 18%Other – 1%


2003 Saskatchewan general election, Opinion polls
NDP – 47%Saskatchewan Party – 37%Liberals – 14%Other – 2%


2003 Saudi Crown Prince Cup
The 2003 Crown Prince Cup was the 28th season of the Saudi premier knockout tournament since its establishment in 1957. It started with the qualifying rounds on 9 January 2003 and concluded with the final on 9 April 2003.


2003 Saudi Crown Prince Cup
In the final, Al-Hilal defeated defending champions Al-Ahli 1–0 to secure their fourth title. The final was held at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. As winners of the tournament, Al-Hilal qualified for the 2004 AFC Champions League group stage.


2003 Saudi Crown Prince Cup, Qualifying rounds
All of the competing teams that are not members of the Premier League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 4 available places in the Round of 16. The qualifying competition began on 9 January 2003. First Division sides Abha, Al-Ansar, and Al-Taawoun as well as Second Division side Al-Nahda qualified.


2003 Saudi Crown Prince Cup, Round of 16
The Round of 16 fixtures were played on 19 and 20 March 2003. All times are local, AST (UTC+3).


2003 Saudi Crown Prince Cup, Quarter-finals
The Quarter-finals fixtures were played on 24 and 25 March 2003. All times are local, AST (UTC+3).


2003 Saudi Crown Prince Cup, Semi-finals
The Semi-finals fixtures were played on 28 and 29 March 2003. All times are local, AST (UTC+3).


2003 Saudi Crown Prince Cup, Final
The 2003 Crown Prince Cup Final was played on 9 April 2003 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. This was the fourth Crown Prince Cup final to be held at the stadium. This was the first meeting between these two sides in the final. All times are local, AST (UTC+3).


2003 Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup
2003 Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup, the 2nd and last Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup, league and cup champions from each Saudi Arabia and Egypt qualified, the four teams were drawn into two ties, In each tie, the two teams played an annual match, the leagues winners participated on President Mubarak's Cup Winners' Super Cup, the cups winners participated on King Fahd's League Winners' Super Cup.


2003 Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup (President Mubarak's League Winners' Super Cup)
2003 Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup (President Mubarak's League Winners' Super Cup), was the second tie of 2003 Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup, the match took place on 24 July 2003, at Cairo Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, between Zamalek the 2002–03 Egyptian Premier League winner, and Ittihad the 2002–03 Saudi Premier League winner.


2003 Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup (President Mubarak's League Winners' Super Cup)
Zamalek won the trophy after beating Ittihad 2–1 in the penalty shoot-out, with the game ending 0–0.


2003 Scarborough Borough Council election
Elections to Scarborough Borough Council were held on 1 May 2003. The whole council was up for election with boundary changes since the last election in 1999 increasing the number of seats by one. The Conservative party gained control of the council from no overall control.


2003 Scheldeprijs
The 2003 Scheldeprijs was the 90th edition of the Scheldeprijs cycle race and was held on 16 April 2003. The race was won by Ludovic Capelle of the Landbouwkrediet–Colnago team.


2003 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa
The 2003 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa was a short series of matches played in June 2003 in South Africa by Scotland national rugby union team.


2003 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa, Results
South Africa: Ricardo Loubscher, 14.Stefan Terblanche, 13.André Snyman, 12.Trevor Halstead, 11.Ashwin Willemse, 10.Louis Koen, 9.Joost van der Westhuizen (capt), 8.Lawrence Sephaka, 7.Danie Coetzee, 6.Richard Bands, 5.Bakkies Botha, 4.Hendrik Gerber, 3.Victor Matfield, 2.Wikus van Heerden, 1.Pedrie Wannenburg,  – replacements: 20.Robbi Kempson, 21.Cobus Visagie, 22.Selborne Boome, 19.Juan Smith, 17.Jaco van der Westhuyzen     –  No entry : 16.Craig Davidson, 18.Gcobani BoboScotland: 15.Glenn Metcalfe, 14.Chris Paterson, 13.Andy Craig, 12.Andrew Henderson, 11.Kenny Logan, 10.Gregor Townsend, 9.Bryan Redpath (capt), 8.Simon Taylor, 7.Andrew Mower, 6.Jason White, 5.Nathan Hines, 4.Scott Murray, 3.Bruce Douglas, 2.Gordon Bulloch, 1.Gavin Kerr,  – replacements: 16.Robbie Russell, 18.Jon Petrie, 19.Martin Leslie, 22.James McLaren      –  No entry: 17.Gordon McIlwham, 20.Mike Blair, 21.Gordon Ross


2003 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa, Results
South Africa: Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 14.Stefan Terblanche, 13.Marius Joubert, 12.Trevor Halstead, 11.Ashwin Willemse, 10.Louis Koen, 9.Joost van der Westhuizen (capt. ), 8.Lawrence Sephaka, 7.Danie Coetzee, 6.Richard Bands, 5.Bakkies Botha, 4.Hendrik Gerber, 3.Victor Matfield, 2.Wikus van Heerden, 1.Pedrie Wannenburg,  – replacements: 16.Robbi Kempson, 17.Cobus Visagie, 18.Selborne Boome, 19.Juan Smith, 21.Gcobani Bobo     –  No entry : 20.Craig Davidson, 22.Brent RussellScotland: 15.Glenn Metcalfe, 14.Chris Paterson, 13.Andy Craig, 12.Andrew Henderson, 11.Kenny Logan, 10.Gregor Townsend, 9.Bryan Redpath (capt. ), 8.Simon Taylor, 7.Andrew Mower, 6.Jason White, 5.Nathan Hines, 4.Scott Murray, 3.Bruce Douglas, 2.Gordon Bulloch, 1.Gavin Kerr,  – replacements: 16.Robbie Russell, 17.Gordon McIlwham, 18.Jon Petrie, 19.Martin Leslie, 20.Mike Blair, 21.Gordon Ross, 22.Brendan Laney


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts
The 2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts was held at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ontario from February 15 to 23. The defending champion, Colleen Jones won the right to represent "Canada" and she would go on to win her third straight championship. From here, she would go on to the 2003 Ford World Curling Championship where she won silver.


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Colleen Jones Third: Kim Kelly Second: Mary-Anne Waye Lead: Nancy Delahunt Alternate: Laine Peters


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Deb SantosThird: Jackie-Rae GreeningSecond: Brenda BohmerLead: Kate HorneAlternate: Shannon Orsini


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Toni FisterThird: Teri FisterSecond: Denise ByersLead: Angela StrachanAlternate: Jacquie Armstrong


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Barb SpencerThird: Darcy RobertsonSecond: Barb EnrightLead: Faye UnrauAlternate: Tanya Craig


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Heidi Hanlon Third: Stacey Lacey Second: Jennifer Gogan Lead: Judy BlanchardAlternate: Sheri Stewart


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Cathy CunninghamThird: Peg GossSecond: Kathy KerrLead: Heather MartinAlternate: Anna-Mae Holden


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Nancy McConneryThird: Colleen PinkneySecond: Shelley MacNuttLead: Wendy CurrieAlternate: Karen Hennigar


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Anne DunnThird: Lindy MarchukSecond: Gloria CampbellLead: Fran ToddAlternate: Cheryl McPherson


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Suzanne GaudetThird: Rebecca Jean MacPheeSecond: Robyn MacPheeLead: Susan McInnisAlternate: Donna Butler


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Nathalie Gagnon Third: Karine MarchandSecond: Joëlle Belley Lead: Julie BlackburnAlternate: Ginette Simard


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Jan Betker Third: Sherry Linton Second: Joan McCusker Lead: Marcia Gudereit Alternate: Nancy Inglis


2003 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Dawn MosesThird: Sharon CormierSecond: Tara NauglerLead: Ann LangeAlternate: Coralee Round


2003 Scottish Borders Council election
Elections for the Scottish Borders Council took place on Thursday 1 May 2003, alongside the wider Scottish local elections.


2003 Scottish Borders Council election
No party held a majority, with the largest grouping - local Independents - winning 14 of the council's 34 seats.


2003 Scottish Challenge Cup Final
The 2003 Scottish Challenge Cup Final was played on 26 October 2003, at McDiarmid Park in Perth and was the 13th staging of the final in the history of the tournament. It was played between Inverness Caledonian Thistle of the First Division and Airdrie United of the Second Division. Inverness Caledonian Thistle emerged winners after defeating Airdrie United 2–0 to win the competition for the first time.


2003 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, Route to the final, Inverness Caledonian Thistle
The first round draw saw Inverness Caledonian Thistle travel to Raydale Park to face Gretna with Caley Thistle emerging 5–0 victors. The second round was another away game with Peterhead providing the opposition, Inverness won 2–1 to progress to the quarter-finals. A home game at the Caledonian Stadium against rivals Ross County was the reward for reaching the quarter-finals, with the home side edging out the opposition to win 1–0. The semi-final draw paired the club with Raith Rovers away from home at Stark's Park. Inverness Caledonian Thistle triumphed to win 4–0 and book a place in the Scottish Challenge Cup final for the second time after losing the 1999 final to Alloa Athletic.


2003 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, Route to the final, Airdrie United
Airdrie United were drawn against Montrose at home in the first round and produced a 2–0 victory over the club. The second round saw United drawn against Greenock Morton away from home at Cappielow and produced 2–1 win to progress to the quarter-finals. Another away game awaited Airdrie United in the quarter-finals as they were drawn against Forfar Athletic which saw the club produce a 2–0 win and a second clean sheet of the tournament to progress to the semi-finals. The opposition provided was Brechin City at Glebe Park, again away from home with Airdrie United emerging 2–1 winners after extra time. Airdrie United reached the Scottish Challenge Cup final for the first time in the club's history.


2003 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, Pre-match, Analysis
Inverness Caledonian Thistle scored a total of twelve goals in the rounds preceding the final whilst conceding only one goal in the process. Compared with Airdrie United who scored eight goals in total and conceded two, although only managing two clean sheets compared to Inverness Caledonian Thistle's three. Both teams played three games away from their respective homes of Caledonian Stadium and New Broomfield, whilst only playing one home game each. Inverness Caledonian Thistle reached the Scottish Challenge Cup final for the second time in its history after losing on penalties in the 1999 final to Alloa Athletic after a 4–4 draw after extra time, whereas it was Airdrie United's first time in the final under their new identity.


2003 Scottish Claymores season
The 2003 Scottish Claymores season was the ninth season for the franchise in the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Gene Dahlquist in his third year, and played its home games at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. They finished the regular season in third place with a record of six wins and four losses.


2003 Scottish Cup Final
The 2003 Scottish Cup Final was played on 31 May 2003 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 117th Scottish Cup. The final was contested by Dundee and Rangers. Rangers won the match 1–0 with a Lorenzo Amoruso headed goal in the second half.


2003 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2003 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 16 March 2003 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 56th Scottish League Cup. The final was contested by Celtic and Rangers. Rangers won the match 2–1, thanks to goals from Claudio Caniggia and  Peter Løvenkrands. John Hartson missed a penalty kick late in the game that would potentially have taken the match into extra time.


2003 Scottish National Party leadership election
There was a Scottish National Party leadership election in 2003 following a challenge to John Swinney's position as National Convener of the Scottish National Party (SNP). Ultimately Swinney won a commanding victory against his challenger, although his victory would be short lived, and he would step down the following year following an unsuccessful European election.


2003 Scottish National Party leadership election, Background
Following the poor showing of the SNP in the 2003 parliamentary and local elections, SNP activist Bill Wilson challenged Swinney for the party leadership. Wilson accused Swinney of ignoring the grassroots party membership, and argued that the SNP had failed to adequately fight for independence. Roseanna Cunningham called Wilson was a "stalking horse" candidate put forward to "weaken and damage" the leadership.


2003 Scottish National Party leadership election, Issues
Wilson ran a campaign attacking Swinney's proposals for party reform, which he claimed would centralise power and impoverish local branches. Wilson also challenged Swinney to a series of debates, although Swinney refused to take part. Wilson also attacked what he saw as the "New Labourization" of the party, and argued that the party was more effective at pressuring Labour into changing positions on issues, rather than actively seeking power itself.


2003 Scottish National Party leadership election, Issues
The election was also yet another fight between the party's Fundamentalists and gradualists, with Wilson attacking Swinney's proposal for a referendum on independence before pursuing negotiations with the British government. Wilson argued that as soon as the SNP can form a government it should pursue negotiations to end the union.


2003 Scottish National Party leadership election, Result
The election was held at the party's 69th annual conference, and saw Swinney winning a massive victory over Wilson. Moves in support of Wilson's proposition of pursuing independence negotiations without a referendum were thrown out at the party conference, and Swinney won significant policy battles over imposing a monthly levy on party MP's, MSP's, and MEP's. In a surprise result, the new central membership system was also approved. The membership changes had been a key issue of attack from Wilson.


2003 Scottish National Party leadership election, Result
The election was the last SNP election to use the delegate voting method. Future elections would be based on a one-person-one-vote postal vote system.


2003 Scottish Open (snooker)
The 2003 Regal Scottish Open was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 5–13 April 2003 at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was the seventh and penultimate ranking event of the 2002/2003 season.


2003 Scottish Open (snooker)
David Gray won his first ranking title by defeating Mark Selby 9–7 in the final. This was Gray's only ranking final victory, and was Selby's first appearance in a ranking final. The defending champion, Stephen Lee, was defeated in the quarter-finals by John Higgins.


2003 Scottish Open (snooker)
This was the final tournament held under the Scottish Open name, being re-branded the following season as the Players Championship before being discontinued. The tournament would be revived under the Scottish Open name in 2016.


2003 Scottish Parliament election
The 2003 Scottish Parliament election, was the second election of members to the Scottish Parliament. It was held on 1 May 2003 and it brought no change in terms of control of the Scottish Executive. Jack McConnell, the Labour Party MSP, remained in office as First Minister for a second term and the Executive continued as a Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition. As of 2021, it remains the last Scottish Parliament election victory for the Scottish Labour Party.


2003 Scottish Parliament election
The results also showed rises in support for smaller parties, including the Scottish Green Party and the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) and declines in support for the Labour Party and the Scottish National Party (SNP). The Conservative and Unionist Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrats each polled almost exactly the same percentage of the vote as they had in the 1999 election, with each holding the same number of seats as before.


2003 Scottish Parliament election
Three independent MSPs were elected: Dennis Canavan, Margo MacDonald and Jean Turner. John Swinburne, leader of the Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party, was also elected. This led to talk of a "rainbow" Parliament, but the arithmetic meant that the coalition of Labour and Scottish Liberal Democrats could continue in office, which they did until the 2007 election.


2003 Scottish Parliament election
The decline in support for the SNP was viewed by some as a rejection of the case for Scottish independence. Others argued against this, pointing out that the number of MSPs in favour of independence actually rose because most of the minor parties such as the SSP share this position with the SNP.


2003 Scottish Parliament election, Retiring MSPs
At the dissolution of Parliament on 31 March 2003, ten MSPs were not seeking re-election.


2003 Scottish Parliament election, Campaign
The parliament was dissolved on 31 March 2003 and the campaign began thereafter.


2003 Scottish Parliament election, Coalition
As part of the coalition deal between Labour and the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Labour allowed proportional representation to be used in Scottish local government elections. This system was first used in 2007.


2003 Scottish Parliament election, Party political and administration costs
The Lib Dems declared a total of £130,358 was spent on the campaign, SSP spent £74,361 the Greens spent £65,852 and the Scottish Senior Citizens' Unity Party spent 3,558. The Scottish People's Alliance spent £188,889 and UKIP spent £39,504.


2003 Scottish local elections
The Scottish local elections, 2003 were held on 1 May 2003, the same day as Scottish Parliament elections and local elections in parts of England. All 32 Scottish councils had all their seats up for election – all Scottish councils are unitary authorities.


2003 Scottish local elections
This was the last election for local government in Scotland to use the first past the post electoral system.


2003 Scottish local elections, Boundary changes
Minor council boundary took place to better reflect certain areas:


2003 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 2003 season was their 27th since the franchise creation. The team finished 2nd in the American League West with a record of 93-69.


2003 Seattle Mariners season
The team used only five starting pitchers the entire season, which was unusual. The five starting pitchers were Ryan Franklin, Freddy Garcia, Gil Meche, Jamie Moyer and Joel Piñeiro.


2003 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Batting, Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In


2003 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Batting, Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In


2003 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Pitching, Starting pitchers
Note; G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


2003 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Pitching, Relief pitchers
Note; G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO = Strikeouts


2003 Seattle Mariners season, Major League Baseball Draft
The following is a list of 2003 Seattle Mariners draft picks. The Mariners took part in both the Rule 4 draft (June amateur draft) and the Rule 5 draft. The Mariners made 53 selections in the 2003 draft, the first being shortstop Adam Jones in the first round. In all, the Mariners selected 30 pitchers, 8 outfielders, 6 catchers, 4 shortstops, 4 third basemen, and 1 first baseman.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season
The 2003 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 28th season in the National Football League, The second season in Qwest Field and the 5th under head coach Mike Holmgren. After going 31–33 in his first four years as head coach, the Seahawks went undefeated at home for the first time in franchise history and improved to 10–6, thus making the NFC playoffs as a wild card team, the first of nine playoff appearances in twelve seasons. However, the team fell 33–27 to the Green Bay Packers in the opening round due to an interception returned for a touchdown by Green Bay's Al Harris in overtime. Following the season, Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle retired after 14 seasons.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints
Shaun Alexander bulled the Seahawks to a 27–10 win as he rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown while also catching a touchdown. The Saints fumbled away the ball three times and also committed eleven penalties.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals
After forcing four turnovers by the Saints, the Seahawks picked off Jeff Blake and Josh McCown four times while swallowing two fumbles en route to a 38–0 shutout win. Maurice Morris and Shaun Alexander split carries for 118 yards and a touchdown while Matt Hasselbeck ran in a touchdown and threw another.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 3: vs. St. Louis Rams
The Rams and Seahawks began to build a bitter rivalry as the two clubs met with the Rams at 1–1 and the Seahawks 2–0. A Rams goalline fumble led to a Seahawks touchdown before the Rams reeled off 23 points by the fourth quarter. Then Matt Hasselbeck erupted to two fourth-quarter touchdowns and the 24–23 Seahawks win.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
Mike Holmgren returned to Lambeau Field and saw his Seahawks routed 35–13 by his old team, the Packers. Brett Favre threw two touchdowns while Ahman Green and Tony Fisher combined for 141 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Matt Hasselbeck was intercepted once while Shaun Alexander managed 102 yards and a score.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Former Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson came to Seattle and saw his 49ers fall behind 17–0 in the second quarter. The Niners clawed back but a failed point after kick left them trailing 17–16 in the third; it proved fatal as the Seahawks won 20–19 on a late 37-yard field goal.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Chicago Bears
Despite two Chris Chandler interceptions and just 211 yards of offense, the Bears erased a 17–6 Seahawks lead and tied the game in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks then finished it off on Shaun Alexander's 25-yard score and a 24–17 win.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals
The Seahawks season began to take on a concerning problem of road performances. Their second straight road loss and sixth in their last two seasons came in a game where the lead tied or changed seven times; the Seahawks fumbled twice and Matt Hasselbeck was intercepted three times; Chad Johnson's 53-yard touchdown catch gave the Bengals the 27–24 win.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 9: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The first three quarters were a battle of field goals, then in the fourth up 9–6 the Seahawks scored twice while Tommy Maddox had a touchdown. The 23–16 Seahawks win left them at 6–2 with the Steelers 2–6.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 10: at Washington Redskins
For the third straight road game the Seahawks fell short, blowing a 14–3 lead as Patrick Ramsey and Rod Gardner combined for three touchdowns. The Seahawks lost two fumbles while Matt Hasselbeck was intercepted once.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 11: vs. Detroit Lions
Bobby Engram scored twice, on a 34-yard catch from Matt Hasselbeck and an 83-yard punt return. The Seahawks and Lions combined for 49 points in the first half before being shut out in the second as Seattle won 35–14.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens
Former Seahawks beat writer Clare Farnsworth called this game "one of the monumental collapses in Seahawks history." After going 29 minutes with just a pair of field goals and resultant 3–3 tie, the Seahawks scored 14 points to end the first half, then built a 41–24 lead in the fourth quarter. Ed Reed scored on a blocked punt, then Anthony Wright erupted with huge throws to Frank Sanders and Marcus Robinson and the score was now 41–38 Seahawks.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens
In the final 33 seconds an administrative mistake on a Seahawks run and a withdrawn ineligible player penalty by referee Tom White stopped the clock and saved the Ravens from using their final timeout; they stopped a Matt Hasselbeck sneak on fourth down, then a pass interference penalty set up Matt Stover's tying field goal. In overtime ex-Raven Trent Dilfer had to come in for one play but the Seahawks had to punt and the Ravens won on another Stover field goal. It was Seattle's fourth straight road loss.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 13: vs. Cleveland Browns
Still angry over the loss to the Ravens, the Seahawks finished the AFC North portion of their schedule by crushing the Browns 34–7; Andre King scored on a blocked Seahawks punt in the fourth quarter but by then Matt Hasselbeck had thrown three touchdowns and the Seahawks had forced three Browns turnovers.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings
The Seahawks' road struggles continued as Randy Moss and Kelly Campbell caught touchdowns from Daunte Culpepper while Matt Hasselbeck was picked off by Mike Nattiel and Nattiel scored from 80 yards out. The Vikings won 34–7 by outgaining the Seahawks 463 total yards to 258, leaving both teams at 8–5.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 15: at St. Louis Rams
The Seahawks fell out of contention for the NFC West as the Rams won 27–22 to go to 11–3 with the Seahawks clawing for a wildcard spot at 8–6 with their sixth straight road loss. The deciding play came in the final seconds when Hasselbeck launched a Hail Mary pass from the 50; a referee stumbled and Bobby Engram tripped over him short of the goalline as the pass was nearly intercepted.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 16: vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Seahawks climbed back into wildcard contention as they sacked Josh McCown eight times, Shaun Alexander rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns, Matt Hasselbeck and Trent Dilfer combined for a touchdown and an interception apiece, and Seattle won 28–10. Seattle stood tied with the Vikings (45–20 winners over Kansas City) and Green Bay (who would blast the Oakland Raiders 41–7 on Monday Night Football the next night) all at 9–6 with the Cowboys holding the first wildcard at 10–5.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Regular season, Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers
Seattle finally won a second road game as they clawed from down 17–14 with a Matt Hasselbeck touchdown and a field goal; Jeff Garcia's 4th down incompletion sealed a 24–17 Seahawks win. The game was the second of a pre-New Year's Saturday triple header; the Seahawks thus had to wait until Sunday before a win by Green Bay, a loss by Dallas, and a last-second loss by Minnesota sorted out the NFC playoff picture, putting Seattle as the conference's fifth seed.


2003 Seattle Seahawks season, Game Summaries, Postseason
Seattle entered the postseason as the #5 seed in the NFC.