Still in the hunt for gold

Day two of Olympic competition saw 26 NSWIS athletes competing, with mixed results along the way.

The day was highlighted by medal opportunities for swimmers James Magnussen and Eamon Sullivan, as well as Amanda Spratt in the women’s cycling road race. Spratt, part of the three-person Australian team, finished over the time limit in the event as she chased gold, while Magnussen and Sullivan finished fourth as part of the Australian men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team. Both swimmers will have more opportunities for gold as they take aim at the men’s 50m freestyle, while Magnussen will also compete in the men’s 100m freestyle. The order for the men’s 4x100m medley relay is still yet to be decided.

Also competing in the pool was NSWIS athlete and Olympic debutant Daniel Arnamnart, who performed solidly to make the semi-finals of the men’s 100m backstroke before missing out on the final.

Elsewhere across London, the Australian men’s water polo and basketball teams began their Olympic campaigns. The water polo team, featuring seven NSWIS athletes, suffered a tough 5-8 loss to reigning world champions Italy, while the basketball team, including NSWIS athlete Aleks Maric was unable to chase down Brazil, going down 71-75 in a close encounter.

The Australian women’s hockey team that featured six NSWIS athletes was unable to overcome trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in a 0-1 loss, however in the equestrian, Australia is solidly positioned in second place following day two of competition in the team’s eventing. NSWIS athletes Chris Burton and Andrew Hoy are placed 13th and 24th, respectively, in the individual competition.

Three NSWIS sailors kickstarted their London Games in style, with Olivia Price, Nina Curtis and Lucinda Whitty recording two wins from two races in the women’s match racing regatta, while rower Bronwen Watson fought hard to secure a semi-final berth in the women’s lightweight double scull. Fellow rowers Rod Chisholm and Tess Gerrand will compete in the repechages of the men’s lightweight double scull and women’s eight, respectively.

Twenty-six NSWIS athletes will compete on day three of Olympic competition, with highlights including the first match for the Australian women’s water polo team (three NSWIS athletes), the Australian men’s hockey team (three NSWIS athletes), Jessica Fox in the canoe slalom, and sailors Tom Slingsby, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen.