The New Zealand men were bowled out of the running for hockey medals in the most heartbreaking fashion on day nine.
New Zealand played above themselves and led Germany, the defending champions, 2-0 with just four minutes remaining.
Amazingly the Germans piled on three goals in that short time, the final one coming with just a second remaining.
The New Zealand men were shell-shocked afterwards. They knew they had played well enough to win and could not fathom what had happened. They will now play off for places five to eight.
The men’s golf finished today and New Zealanders Danny Lee and Ryan Fox both recorded good rounds under par. Lee finished tied for 27th and Fox tied for 39th. The women’s tournament starts in two days’ time.
Tracey Lambrechs finished fifth in her Group in the 75kg+ weightlifting contest. The Aucklander had two misses in her snatch and managed just 98kg. In the clean and jerk Lambrechs, missed at 133kg, then got it and then missed at 139kg (which would have been a national record). She finished with a total of 231kg.
Dylan Kennett finished the first day of the omnium at the velodrome in 10th place. He has three more events tomorrow to lift himself up the placings. Also at the velodrome Natasha Hansen rode extremely well in the women’s individual sprint, setting a new national record and qualifying for the quarter-finals. Liv Podmore was not as successful and bowed out in qualifying.
The New Zealand sailors had a mixed day.
Defending women’s 470 sailing champions Polly Powrie and Jo Aleh today suffered the second disqualification of their Olympic campaign, severely denting their medal chances.
The two New Zealanders won their first race of the day, only to learn they had been disqualified for crossing the start line early.
They bounced back with a 3rd placing in their other race today, but are now in some trouble. Two disqualifications in one regatta is a stiff hurdle to overcome. They lie seventh on the overall standings with 42 points, well behind the British team that leads with 20 points.
There are four races remaining.
There was better news in the nacra mixed, where Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders had placings of 13th, 13th and 2nd. Going into the medal race, they are in fifth spot on 79 points, seven points behind the third-placed team. Argentina leads with 65 points.
Finn sailor Josh Junior fought hard in his two races, grabbing 4th and 6th placings to lift himself to seventh in the overall standings. He was eager to get into the top 10 and so make the medal race and achieved that goal.
Men’s 470 sailors Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox were 5th and 2nd today, probably their best day of the Olympics. They are now ninth overall with four races to go. They have 54 points.
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