Silver, bronze to close week one

A further two medals were won by NSWIS athletes on day eight of competition, with the Games now heading into their second week.

The day’s events were highlighted by rower James Chapman, who won silver as part of the Australian men’s four rowing crew. The race was billed as a classic between Australia and Great Britain, and it didn’t disappoint, with both teams fighting for gold. The action eventually came down to the final 500m before Australia claimed silver. Chapman’s silver was then followed by a fifth place finish by Bronwen Watson in the final of the women’s lightweight double scull.

Chapman’s efforts at Eton Dorney were complemented by James Magnussen at the London aquatic centre, who anchored the men’s 4x100m medley relay team to a bronze medal. Magnussen powered home in the freestyle to move Australia from fourth at the last change into the medals, his second of the Games after silver in the men’s 100m freestyle.

The medals from day eight now take the NSWIS medal tally to four silver and three bronze medals, with plenty of action still to come.

NSWIS sailors continued to impress in Weymouth, with Tom Slingsby and Malcolm Page asserting their dominance in their respective events; Slingsby leads the men’s laser, while Page leads the men’s 470. The NSWIS trio of Olivia Price, Nina Curtis and Lucinda Witty remain undefeated in the women’s match racing to lead proceedings, while Jessica Crisp sits 11th overall in the women’s RS:X.

The first night of track & field saw mixed results for the NSWIS contingent. Dani Samuels finished 12th in the women’s discus and Ben St Lawrence finished 20th in the men’s 10000m, but the highlight of the action was Steven Solomon in the men’s 400m. Solomon won his heat on Olympic debut in a personal best time of 45.18, qualifying for today’s semi-final.

There were also mixed results in team sport action. The Australian men’s basketball team defeated Great Britain 106-75 to keep their medal chances alive, while the Australian women’s hockey team continued their solid play with a 1-0 victory over South Africa; NSWIS athlete Jade Close was the difference maker with the goal. However, the Australian men’s water polo team, featuring seven NSWIS athletes, fell 6-11 to Crotia, while Justin Han and the Australian men’s table tennis team lost 0-3 to Singapore.

Elsewhere on day eight, the Royal Artillery Barracks played host to the women’s trap shooting event, where Athens gold medallist Suzy Balogh finished sixth, and at Greenwich Park, NSWIS athletes Julia Hargreaves and Edwina Tops-Alexander began their equestrian jumping event strongly by completing clean runs to be in equal first position.

Only one NSWIS athlete has a medal chance on day nine of competition, with shooter Daniel Repacholi competing in the men’s 50m pistol event.