Magnussen fires on day four

NSWIS swimmer James Magnussen was back to doing what he does best on day four by qualifying fastest for the final of the men’s 100m freestyle.

Magnussen produced a smart swim to win his semi-final in 47.63 and move into the final, the sole Australian after compatriot James Roberts was knocked out. Also in the pool on day four was NSWIS athlete David McKeon, who competed in the heats of the men’s 4x200m freestyle before the team went on to finish fifth in the final.

The sailing events continued in Weymouth with seven NSWIS athletes in action. Tom Slingsby maintained his overall lead in the men’s laser; the 49er class duo of Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen moved into first position overall, and the women’s match racing trio of Olivia Price, Nina Curtis and Lucinda Whitty remain undefeated after six races. Jessica Crisp began her campaign in the women’s RS:X and sits 12th overall after two races.

The rowing continued at Eton Dorney with Tess Gerrand and the women’s eight moving in the the final, however fellow NSWIS athlete Rod Chisholm missed out on the medals in the men’s lightweight double scull and will compete in semi-final C for placings.

The eventing equestrian campaign came to an end for Chris Burton and Andrew Hoy, finishing 16th and 13th, respectively, while Australia finished sixth overall in the team event, and at the Royal Artillery Barracks Clive Barton finished 32nd in the men’s skeet shooting.

Team sport action saw mixed results for NSWIS athletes as the Australian men’s basketball team, including NSWIS athlete Aleks Maric, went down to Spain 70-82, before the Australian men’s water polo team, including seven NSWIS athletes, defeated Kazakhstan 7-4. The Australian women’s hockey team that featured six NSWIS athletes went on to defeat Germany 3-1 to keep their medal hopes alive.

Three medals are up for grabs on day five of Olympic competition; Magnussen takes aim at the men’s 100m freestyle, Amy Clay looks for glory in the women’s quad scull rowing, and five NSWIS athletes will attempt to power the Australian men’s eight rowing crew to gold.