Positive signs after day three

No medals were on offer for NSWIS athletes on day three of Olympic competition, however several athletes put themselves in contention to stand on the dais, with outstanding performances in their events.

The day was highlighted by NSWIS rower James Chapman, who was part of the Australian men’s four rowing crew that clocked a new Olympic best of 5:47.06. The win in the heat saw the crew progress straight to the semi-finals.

Also in action at Eton Dorney was Brooke Pratley in the women’s double scull; Amy Clay in the women’s quad scull, and NSWIS athletes Sam Loch, Francis Hegerty, Matt Ryan, Toby Lister and Nicholas Purnell in the men’s eight. All seven athletes will feature in the finals of their events.

NSWIS sailors Tom Slingsby, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen all made flying starts to their respective regattas. Slingsby finished second in race one and first in race two of the men’s laser to sit atop the overall standings, while Outteridge and Jensen sit third overall in the men’s 49er after finishing eighth and first in two races. Fellow NSWIS athletes Olivia Price, Nina Curtis and Lucinda Whitty defeated the USA and Great Britain to remain undefeated in the women’s match racing.

Canoe slalom athlete Jessica Fox began her campaign in style, qualifying for the semi-final of the women’s K1 in fourth place; Chris Burton and Andrew Hoy are placed 10th and 15th, respectively, after the cross country stage of the three day event; archer Elisa Barnard was unfortunately eliminated from the women’s individual after a tough 3-7 loss, and Clive Barton placed 29th after the qualification round of the men’s skeet shooting.

There was plenty of positive news in team sport action, with the Australian men’s hockey team and Austrailan women’s water polo team beginning London 2012 with a win. The hockey team trounced South Africa 6-0, with NSWIS athlete Matthew Butturini scoring a goal, while the water polo team accounted for Italy 10-8. NSWIS athlete Nicola Zagame scored two goals, with Holly Lincoln-Smith chipping in for a goal as well.

Day four of the Games will see four athletes have a chance at a medal. Burton and Hoy compete in the jumping discipline of their eventing competition; Barton will have a shot in the men’s skeet if he can rally to make the final; and David McKeon lines up for his second swim of the Games in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, looking to secure a finals berth.