Stalwart New Zealand canoe slalom champion Luuka Jones has bounced back well on the opening day of the women's K1 event on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time).
Jones, who is competing in her fifth Olympic Games, won a silver medal in the K1 in Rio de Janeiro in 2016,
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In a field of 25 in Paris, the top-22 were assured of progressing to Sunday's (Monday NZT) semifinals, but it was important to Jones that she used her time on the water well.
She struggled in her first run and was timed at 102.90 seconds, including a two-second penalty. However, she improved markedly in her second run and her of 97.13 seconds score landed her in 15th spot.
Jones, 35, said it was good to blow out some cobwebs.
“The first run was not good, but in the second one I put down a fast run. I was hit with two penalties in each run and I’ll be looking to tidy that up for tomorrow’s semifinals.
“But I was pleased with my pace and feel encouraged going into the semifinals.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s three-day eventers are well in touch with the podium after the dressage at Versailles.
The team sits fourth, just a smidgen behind France. Clarke Johnstone, aboard Menlo Park, fared the best of the New Zealanders in the dressage and is ninth in the individual standings with the cross-country and showjumping to come.
Johnstone was ecstatic with his horse’s efforts.
“I’ve been dreaming of doing a test like that at the Olympics,” he said. “I’m so excited. It’s pretty amazing. He’s fit but calm. I’ve been thinking he could do a test like that ... It’s just a great, great result.”
Tim Price on Falco was happy with his 12th place after a 26.5 penalty point effort, while four-time Olympian Jonelle Price and Hiarado, who were out first for New Zealand, posted a 30.8 to put them into 27th.
On the streets of Paris, Kim Cadzow rode the race of her life to claim seventh place in the women’s individual road cycling time trial.
The 22-year-old defied a high-quality field and treacherously wet conditions to place herself among some of cycling’s biggest names.
Wanaka-based Cadzow finished strongly and managed to stay upright – there were any number of spills in the slippery conditions - in 2 minutes 13.43 seconds. For a long period she held first position among those who had finished, but she slipped down a few notches at the end.
She was still buzzing some time after the race.
"I'm super, super proud of my performance," she said. "There were some crazy conditions out there ... I had a few nerves in the morning, especially looking at the weather, but it was great. I love being in the village and the crowds today on the side of the road were fantastic."
In the men's road race, New Zealander Laurence Pithie finished 24th of the 32 riders who finished.
Pithie covered the course in 38:49.76, which was 2:33.60 behind the winner, Belgian Remco Evenpoel.
On the other side of the world, New Zealand surfers Billy Stairmand and Saffi Vette moved onto the second round of the surfing events in Teahupo'o, Tahiti.
Stairmand was third in his heat with a score of 5.53 and best wave score of 3.33. He will compete for a place in the third round against Brazilian Felipe Toledo, from 9.48am Monday NZT.
Vette finished second in her heat with a score of 7.50, behind Spaniard Nadia Erostarbe, and a best wave score of 4.73. She faces Portuguese Yolanda Hopkins in a elimination heat in round two, starting from 5am Monday NZT.
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