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Olympic Briefs

■SAILING

Lack of wind cancels races

All racing at the Olympic sailing venue was canceled yesterday because of a lack of wind and low visibility, forcing the starts to be moved to today, when stronger winds are predicted, organizers said. Even though the sailing venue of Qingdao, some 500km south of Beijing, is notorious among sailors for its light summer winds and fog, yesterday was the first full day of racing lost because of wind conditions. On Wednesday, attempts to start the day’s second races for the Finn, Yngling, Laser and Laser Radial classes were dropped because of light winds. In a statement, the organizers said as many of the missed races as possible would be held on the reserve days set for the various classes in case of weather cancelations.



■WATER POLO

Croatia power to another win

The Croatian men’s water polo team powered their way to a 13-5 win over Germany yesterday, continuing an undefeated run that has focused attention on the players’ newly grown facial hair. The Croatian men decided two months ago to grow mustaches while preparing for Beijing, following the lead of goalkeepers Josip Pavic and Frano Vican. And there’s no way the Croats, ranked No. 1 in the world, are going to shave now. Croatia has dominated their first three matches at Yingdong Natatorium and are favorites for the gold. In other matches, Serbia (2-1) handed the US (2-1) their first loss, 4-2, and two-time defending Olympic gold medalists Hungary (2-0-1) remained unbeaten with an 8-5 win over Spain (2-1).



■CANOE-KAYAK

Events washed out

Thunderstorms and lightning washed out yesterday’s scheduled Olympic canoe-kayak events, including the semi-finals and the final of the women’s kayak single and the men’s canoe double final. The schedule was moved to today, when no competition was scheduled. The canoe double semi-finals were the only runs completed. The German team of Felix Michel and Sebastian Piersig had a flawless run through the gates in 94.38 seconds. They screamed in celebration as they crossed the finish line and exchanged a soaked high five.



■FIELD HOCKEY

Germany down the US

Germany scored three second-half goals to beat the US 4-2 in the Olympic women’s tournament yesterday. The 2004 gold medalists improved to 3-0 in Pool B and greatly improved their chances of making the medal round again. The US dropped to 0-1-2. Although the Americans have been competitive with draws against top-five teams Argentina and Japan, they will be hard-pressed to earn one of the top two slots in the six-team pool that qualify for the medal round. Earlier, the Netherlands hung on for a 1-0 win over hosts China in a match-up of undefeated teams.



■ROWING

Semi-finals set for today

Rain washed out yesterday’s scheduled Olympic rowing events, including the semi-finals in lightweight men’s and women’s double sculls, lightweight men’s four and men’s quadruple sculls. The entire schedule was shifted to today, which was to be an off day for the rowers. Heavy rain began moving through the area about an hour before the scheduled start of competition, pushing things back about 90 minutes. A second rain band, this one accompanied by thunder and lightning, then followed the first cloudburst, prompting race officials to scrub the entire card.



■VOLLEYBALL

Russia through to quarters

Russia’s men came back from a set down to defeat reigning Olympic volleyball champions Brazil yesterday, guaranteeing them a place in the quarter-finals. Brazil started the game brightly with Andre Nascimento leading the charge, scoring nine points in the set before going on to top score in the match with 26 points. But his efforts were not enough to prevent an efficient Russian side taking the next three sets and maintaining their unbeaten record in Group B after three games. Russia won 22-25, 26-24, 31-29 and 25-19 in just under two hours at Beijing’s Capital Gymnasium. Italy, competitors in every Olympic tournament since 1976 and winners of the silver medal in 2004, took a step closer to the last eight, beating Venezuela in straight sets in Group A for their second win in the tournament.



■EQUESTRIAN

Germany in pole position

Germany moved into pole position in the team event, getting set to establish dominance of the sport and the equestrian events. The Germans are already riding high with two gold medals, in the team and individual eventing, and the country’s great dressage rivalry with the Netherlands is the pivot of the competition. Heike Kemmer, riding Bonaparte, scored 72.250 percent in the Grand Prix, the first of two components of the dressage competition. The big surprise of the first session, however, was Britain’s second place, earned by Emma Hindle who rode Lancet to a score of 71.125 percent.



■JUDO

Naidan wins Mongolia gold

Tuvshinbayar Naidan of Mongolia won his nation’s first ever gold medal, defeating Askhat Zhitkeyev of Kazakhstan in the men’s 100kg class. Naidan, who upset Athens Olympic champion Keiji Suzuki of Japan in his opening bout, scored a waza ari with just under two minutes remaining, then added on two yuko to seal the victory. Movlud Miraliyev of Azerbaijan took bronze by scoring a waza ari over Poland’s Przemyslaw Matyjaszek. The second bronze went to Henk Grol of the Netherlands, who defeated Georgia’s Levan Zhorzholiani. In the women’s 78kg division China’s Yang Xiuli flipped her first four opponents then won in an overtime decision over Cuba’s Yalennis Castillo to take the gold medal, her country’s second in judo.



■HANDBALL

Germany bounce back

Germany’s handballers bounced back from a humiliating defeat by Iceland, gaining confidence by beating Egypt 25-23 in a preliminary match yesterday despite the absence of injured top player Pascal Hens. Iceland lost 21-22 to South Korea later yesterday after missing several chances for a goal and losing their focus during the game. In other games, Poland won 28-25 against Brazil, who were overwhelmed by the taller, stronger Poles. Spain smothered hosts China 36-22.



■FENCING

Ukraine stun the hosts

Olga Kharlan scored nine of the bout’s last 13 points, leading the Ukrainian women’s sabre team to a shock Olympic gold medal, 45-44 over China. Ukraine trailed 40-36 when Kharlan entered the strip for the final round against China’s Tan Xue. The first team to 45 points wins and after Kharlan rallied to a 44-all tie, everything was riding on the final point. After both fencers attacked, the official checked video replay, but awarded neither athlete a point. Kharlan then scored the winning touch to complete a remarkable comeback.


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