New Zealand sailors may have run out of puff in their medal chances on the penultimate day of fleet racing on day nine of the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. After completing just six races in the first four days of racing with a lack of wind, their fortunes changes when an unexpected 10 knot breeze blew today which prompted Jack Collinson to win race seven while fellow Auckland team-mate Elise Beavis managed a regatta-best sixth. While Collinson made a fatal error after a bright start in race eight, Beavis soldiered to a solid eighth place before the winds then reduced to a zephyr, leading officials to call off the ninth race. With only one day remaining before the medal round, the sailors can only complete 11 races in the Byte II class which means they can only drop a single worst performance. The New Zealanders were hoping for a 12th race to drop two blowouts and significantly improve their chance. Beavis now moves into the top 10 for the first time while Collinson is 12th. I had a really good downwind in the morning race, caught up with the leader upwind and went well downhill again. Its the best feeling you can get to win that, Collinson said. Then I slipped back in the next one which was disappointing. I think I still have a chance because people can come up hugely in the medal race. Beavis enjoyed her best day of the regatta with sixth and eighth placings. With my weight I am okay through the range of winds but I guess being from New Zealand we are used to racing with more wind so I was reasonably at home today, Beavis said. My goal today was to get into the top 10 and so I was really pleased to achieve that. I was a bit uncertain of the quality of the fleet before this event and therefore how I would go. Its only my second time racing here in Singapore. The place is interesting because the winds change so much. We think New Zealand is shifty with the weather but here changes much more. Earlier the mens basketball team finished 14th from 20 teams in the three-on-three competition, losing their final match to Egypt 29-26. The kiwis were in charge for much of the match, up by 16-14 at halftime and never behind until they allowed too much space with two late three pointers from Egypt which earned them the win. It was a disappointing way to finish. We just didnt defend well enough today, said big man Michael Karena. We have had our ups and downs as a team, sometimes playing really well but sometimes terrible. I think the one thing that let us down was our finishing. Just didnt convert some of easy hoops that meant we dropped some games we should have won. With three-on-three you have to be way more fitter. Youve got 10 minutes and you have to give it your all. You have to be able to work every position, make your shots and make instant decisions if a play breaks down because of the 10 second shot rule. I think it can really improve your overall game. Its been a lot of fun and the overall experience has been amazing. James Ashby and Ben Fraser led scorers with eight points each. In track action Julia Ratcliffe (Hamilton) finished second in the B final of the hammer throw with a best effort of 50.49m while Jenna Hansen (Hamilton) was seventh in the B final of the 2000m steeplechase in 8:03.65. Tomorrow Jake Lambert is back for the second round of show jumping in the equestrian individual finals, sitting on 12 faults after getting his rein caught under his stirrup in the first round. The main focus is the bronze medal match in junior girls hockey with New Zealand taking on Korea at the Sengkeng Hockey Stadium. The sailors have three more races scheduled at the Singapore national sailing centre while Julia Wu and Kevin Wu join up for the mixed competition in table tennis. Day 9 results: Athletics, B finals: Girls Hammer throw: Louisa James (GBR)53.21, 1; Julia Ratcliffe (NZL) 50.49, 2; Marianne Fuentes Diaz (CUB) 49.59, 3. 2000m steeplechase: Nina Habold (FRA)7:00.64, 1; Ouafa Tijani (MAR) 7:05.75, 2; Katazyna Dulak (POL) 7:08.51, 3. Also: Jenna Hansen (NZL) 8:03.65, 5. Basketball, 13th playoff: New Zealand 26 Egypt 29 (James Ashby, Ben Fraser 8, Michael karena 6, Reuben Te Rangi 4). Halftime 16-14. Fina: Serbia 22 Croatia 9. Broze match: Greece 34 USA 25. Sailing, Byte II class, race 7 male: Jack Collinson (NZL) 1, Pavlo Babych (UKR) 2, Darren Choy (SIN) 3. Race 8: Marco Benini (ITA) 1, Marti Llena (ESP) 2, Peter Batho (HUN) 3. Also: Collinson 21. Points after 8 races: Choy 38, 1; Ian Barrows (ISV) 42, 2; Florian Haufe (GER) 43, 3. Also: Collinson 76, 12. Female, race 7: Min Gu (CHN) 1, Constance Stolz (GER) 2, Daphne van der Vaart (NED) 3. Also: Elize Beavis (NZL) 6. Race 8: Daphne van der Vaart (NED) 1, Niki Blassar (FIN) 2, Lara Vadlau (AUT) 3. Also: Beavis 8. Points after 8 races: Vadlau 18, 1; Stolz 30, 2; Celine Carlsen (DEN) 38, 3. Also: Beavis 99, 10.
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