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McCormick and Smith shape up as NZs last medal hopes
Friday, August 19th, 2005
BOARDSAILOR Matthew McCormick and 5000m runner Kimberley Smith shape as the last New Zealand medal hopes at the World University Games in Izmir.
New Zealand had high hopes of Fiona Crombie adding to their record four Summer Universiade medals in the 3000m steeplechase early this morning but the United States based Kiwi faded after a promising start to finish eighth in 10min 08.42s. Hungarian Livia Toth won in 9min 40.37s ahead of Australia’s Victoria Mitchell and Turk Turkan Erismis.
Stuart Kerr (9min 17.10s) finished 14th in the men’s steeplechase shortly afterwards behind Turkish winner Halil Akkas (8min 30.16).
Crombie’s disappointment leaves her former Providence College (Rhode Island) schoolmate Smith as the last serious medal contender for New Zealand on the track following Mary Davies bronze medal run in the 10,000m on Tuesday.
Smith, 14th in the 10,000m at last week’s world championships and now running professionally for sportswear giant Reebok, is one of the favourites for the 5000m in Izmir which is scheduled for 4.50am on Saturday NZT. She qualifies to run in Izmir because she was still studying at the time of the Universiade entry deadline.
Meanwhile, McCormick sailed into the bronze medal position in the men’s Mistral yesterday despite failing to finish the regatta’s fifth race when his boom snapped. His resulting 25th and last placing can be discarded but means the Aucklander can ill afford any more mishaps if he is to hold off fourth-placed German Toni Wilhelm for the bronze.
McCormick leads the German by a single point with Pole Piotr Myszka second behind flying Frenchman Fabrice Hassen who has won all six races to date.
The Auckland University arts and engineering student admits Hassen, a regular top-10 place-getter at world championships, has sailed sublimely.
“At the moment he’s just sailing really, really fast and not making any mistakes. Barring him not finishing any more races, there’s no way he won’t win it,†McCormick said of Hassen.
“The silver’s not gone if we get enough races for a second discard…the problem is when I beat the Pole he finishes right behind me. I’ve just got to finish in the top three as often as I can and I’ll be fine.â€
Meanwhile, New Zealand finished the swimming competition with three silver medals after Melissa Ingram, the only Kiwi A finalist yesterday, finished eighth in 200m backstroke in 2min 16.89s.
New Zealand face a grudge soccer rematch with the Turkish women overnight after losing their opening pool match to the hosts 2-1 to a late goal. Grant Harrison’s Kiwi volleyballers face Australia in the women’s wooden spoon match while the sailing and track and field competitions continue.
Source: KENT GRAY The Dominion Post
