Crunch time on day 11

A variety of NSWIS athletes were in action on day 11, looking to keep alive their chances of winning an Olympic medal.

The Australian men’s hockey team remained on track for gold as they accounted for Pakistan 7-0. It was the perfect birthday gift for NSWIS athlete Matthew Butturini, who turned 25 yesterday, with Australia scoring after four minutes and never looking back. NSWIS athletes Kieran Govers and Simon Orchard also played in the rout.

It was a similar story for NSWIS sailor Malcolm Page, who kept his gold medal hopes alive in the men’s 470 with compatriot Mat Belcher. Page and Belcher won races nine and 10 of their regatta to hold a four point lead heading into the medal race on Thursday. Fellow NSWIS athletes Olivia Price, Nina Curtis and Lucinda Whitty were locked in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands after the first two of five races in the women’s match racing quarter-finals.

There were unbelievable scenes at the water polo arena as Australia took on the USA in the women’s semi-finals. The Australians were down 8-9 with only one second remaining, however the USA coach called a time-out while Australia was in possession of the ball, leading to a five metre penalty which Ash Southern converted. However, from there the Australians were unable to score and eventually went down 9-11. They will take on Hungary in the bronze medal match, a rematch from four years ago in Beijing.

The canoe sprint events continued at Eton Dorney, with Murray Stewart and Naomi Flood in action. Stewart joined the Australian men’s K4 1000m crew as they powered their way to the final, while Flood and the Australian women’s K2 500m crew were eliminated in the semi-finals of their event.

Also on day 11 of Olympic action; Brad Kahlefeldt finished 32nd in the men’s triathlon, Eloise Wellings finished 15th in the women’s 5000m, and Australia finish ninth in the team dressage event.

Day 12 of action is headlined by sailors Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen, who are all but assured of a gold medal in the men’s 49er class. They’re joined in action by Melissa Wu, who begins her London campaign, and seven NSWIS athletes in the men’s water polo as they come up against Serbia in the semi-finals.