SCOOP Olympic update

SCOOP Olympic update, Sunday 17 9 00
Article: Mathew Loh

IN a grueling contest over a picturesque course New Zealand triathlon great Hamish Carter failed in his quest for legendary status as the sport's first men's Olympic gold medalist.

A disappointing performance from the former World Champion saw Carter home in 26th place behind gold medalist Simon Whitfield of Canada; German silver medalist Stephan Vikucic; and bronze medalist Jan Rehula of the Czech Republic.

With New Zealand expecting Carter to earn the nation it's first medal it was surprising to see him finish 10 places behind the first kiwi home Craig Watson in 16th place. However with the pressure of racing in the inaugral Olympic triathlon against some the world's finest athletes taking it's toll Carter failed to capitalise on a good swim and faded from contention on the crucial final 10km run.

In other Olympic news this morning Blyth Tait had a good dressage 1st round on Ready Teddy but was far from dominant ending with a placing in the first fifteen. And at Rushcutters Bay where boardsailing's Barbara Kendall and Aaron McIntosh lead the New Zealand medal hopes sailing suffered from delays on the opening day of competition.

Meanwhile in other sporting news Taranaki upset Otage 18-16 in a tough encounter in New Plymouth overnight and the Black Caps upset negative predictions to cap an outstanding resurgence to beat Zimbabwe in the first cricket test at Bulawayo by seven wickets.

New Zealand's victory, which came after an uninspiring first innings saw pundits predicting a draw at best, was on earned courtesy of some superb bowling by all-rounder Chris Cairns who took five wickets in the Zimbabwe second innings.

Cairns' form with accurate support from Paul Wiseman and in the absence through injury of Daniel Vettori, Nathan Astle, was too much for the Zimbabwe batsmen who were knocked over early enough to give the Black Caps an easy chase for a seven wicket victory.

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