NEW ZEALAND'S ROAD TO RIO - WEEKLY ROUNDUP 20 - 27 Oct

Price ends European season with dramatic third

Tim Price and his trusted horse Wesko have claimed third place in a dramatic final four-star event of the European season in France.

Olympic champion Michael Jung of Germany looked to have sewn up first and second going into the showjumping phase of the CCI4* at Les Etoiles de Pau, until one horse was withdrawn at inspection, and the other knocked off a rail, allowing Frenchman Astier Nicolas to take the overall win, and Kiwi Price to move into third. 

Its great for Wesko to keep coming out and remaining consistent, especially the year before an Olympic Games" said Price. Olympic legend Sir Mark Todd was the next best New Zealander in 10th on NZB Campino. 

Rio hopes dashed for Black Sticks Men

A gutsy fightback wasnt enough for the Black Sticks men in their Oceania Cup showdown with Australia a 3-2 loss snuffing out their chances of automatic qualification for the Rio Olympic Games.

The hockey men needed to beat the world No. 1 Australians in the tournament final at Stratford, but they failed to contain the fast-breaking Aussies, who scored twice in the first quarter. New Zealand still has an outside chance of playing in Rio next year, but its dependant on South Africas qualification.

The Black Sticks women, who have already secured their Olympic spot, suffered a heart-breaking final loss to Australia, 2-1, in a penalty shoot-out. 

Drysdale sprints to second in Philly

Olympic rowing champion Mahe Drysdale narrowly missed top honours at the Gold Cup sprint race in Philadelphia on Sunday, finishing just three seconds behind winner Kjetil Borch of Norway.

Drysdale, who won the Head of the Charles event in Boston the previous weekend, felt the pain in the 750m men's single scull race on the Schuylkill River.  

"Good but tough race today; another second place. Amazing how painful a sprint can be."

Lydia Ko back on top of the world? ?

Lydia Kos latest victory in the LPGA Taiwan Championship has seen her regain the No. 1 spot in womens golf world rankings.??

The 18-year-old New Zealander, who also has her sights set on playing at next years Olympic Games, wrested the top spot from South Koreas Inbee Park. Kos whopping nine-shot win in Taiwan was her fifth LPGA tour victory of the season and the 10th of her young career.

Kiwi sailors honoured with worlds best nomination

Kiwi sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have been nomination for sailing's top honour, the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year award, for the second year running.

The two-time 49er world champions have not been beaten in the class since they won the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games a consecutive run of 20 regatta victories.  The two Emirates Team New Zealand crewman are up against French offshore racer Loick Peyron, and three British sailors, Giles Scott, Ian Walker and Ian Williams.

Courtney McGregor twists to new high

Courtney McGregor has twisted herself into the world's top 20 vaulting specialists at the world gymnastics championships in Glasgow.??Executing her double twisting Yurchenko, McGregor finished 17th in the two-vault division, and her all-round placing of 71 has qualified New Zealand a country spot at the Rio Olympic Test Event in April.

New Zealand team-mate Charlotte Sullivan performed best on beam, where she finished 67th, and was 118th in the all-round competition. Mackenzie Slee was forced to withdraw through injury.