Sport / Rio 2016 Olympics

Meech to sail for a podium place on day 10

16:53 pm on 15 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - New Zealand could add to its Olympic medal tally overnight with sailor Sam Meech eyeing up a podium finish.

New Zealand sailor Sam Meech competing at the Rio 2016 Olympics Photo: AFP

Meech could win the country's first sailing medal at Rio in the men's Laser class, taking to the water at 5am.

He's currently in third place overall and with double points being awarded in the medal race, he needs to finish at least fifth to guarantee a place on the podium - though a gold medal is just out of reach, even if he crosses the line first.

Also in action in the sailing are the men's 49er duo of Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, who will attempt to keep their place on top of the standings in their three races beginning at 4am.

They are just two points clear of the German pair, though the rest of the teams are sitting well behind the two countries.

The women's 49er FX crew of Alex Maloney and Molly Meech will also sail three times tomorrow morning, while the women's 470 pairing of Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie will hope for a strong day's racing, with it being the final day of competition before their medal contest.

It is a big day on the water for New Zealand, with kayaker Lisa Carrington beginning her Olympic campaign in the women's K1 200.

New Zealand canoe sprint champion Lisa Carrington. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Carrington will line up for the heats shortly after 12.30am and then take to the water again at 2am in the semi-finals - if all goes according to plan.

British bookmakers have the four-time world champion and 2012 gold medallist at odds of 1-33 to defend her Olympic gold in the event.

Fellow kayaker Marty McDowell will also compete early tomorrow morning in the men's K1 1000 heats.

After the disappointment of the men's hockey team today, the Black Sticks women will be looking to go one better than their male counterparts in their quarter-final against Australia at 1am.

The women's team have had a strong tournament so far, with just one loss in pool play.

Australia will be a tough team to beat, being ranked one place higher than the New Zealanders at third in the world standings.

But the Black Sticks will fight hard for a semi-final berth, with their loss to Great Britain in the 2012 bronze medal match in London still fresh in the players' minds.

In the velodrome, Natasha Hansen will race for a place in the women's sprint quarter-finals at 1am, while Dylan Kennett and Lauren Ellis will compete in the men's and women's omnium respectively.

- RNZ