The cold temperatures and strong winds that tested the 133 crews for the opening two days were present again on Thursday with Weir at the front of the fleet in both races.

The Victorian was third in the opening race of the day, trading places with the leading crews the whole way through before coming out on top in race two with a win.

The results moved Weir up from her overnight 13^th to be sixth overall, just five points off the podium and a further four behind leader Sari Multala of Finland.

“Overall it was a good day for me today with a third and a first,” said Weir. “I’m really happy with how the day went because I was able to get off the start line how I wanted and put the shifts together well.

“It was another pretty shifty and windy day making things very tricky,” she said. “This regatta was never going to be an easy one with challenging conditions and a very strong fleet.”

Friday will see the crews split into gold and silver fleets, presenting the first opportunity the leading sailors have had to race against each other.

“I’m looking forward to sailing with the whole fleet tomorrow and seeing where I’m at overall,” said Weir. “It should be warmer with lighter winds tomorrow which could shake things up.”

Fellow Australian Alexandra South is 54^th overall after not finishing race one and then finishing 28^th in race two.

Caitlin Elks is 104^th after 46^th and 45^th place finishes.

In the under-21 category South is currently seventh and Elks is 25^th.

Full results can be found at http://www.laserworldchampionship.com/ergebnisse/damen-radial.html.

For more information on the Australian Sailing Team visit www.australiansailingteam.com.au and follow the team on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AusSailingTeam.

Craig Heydon

The victory for the Stingers comes off the back of their one-goal defeat of the USA in the London Olympic Games test event final on Sunday. It keeps them on track to realise a team dream of emulating the gold medal winning Australian side from the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

The Chinese led 3-2 at quarter time and maintained a single goal advantage, 7-6, at the main break before the teams entered the last term locked at 8-all.

Rising star Ashleigh Southern slammed home the winner with 1.54 to go in the last period and the Stingers hung on for a confidence boosting victory.

Australian coach Greg McFadden was proud of his team’s effort following the long journey from London.

“It was a courageous win given our travel and the fact we were playing without our captain Kate Gynther and Glencora Ralph who were both rested,” McFadden said.

“We came back to win from being six-two down during the second quarter. That takes a lot of guts and I am very proud of the girls.”

The Australians round out their World League preliminary schedule tomorrow with their place in the FINA World League Super Finals later this month already assured.

Sprint kayaking has exploded since Australia won a record three medals at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Spearheading the women’s medal hopes is Perth paddler Alana Nicholls. The 26-year-old was one of many Aussies to just miss a medal in 2011, coming equal fourth in the K1 200m and fifth in the K1 500m at the World Championships in Hungary – her two Olympic events.

“I finished those races and I was quite disappointed I wasn’t on the podium. Straight away I thought, wow, I really do have a chance here,” Nicholls said of her first World Championship campaign.

The rising star quickly became accustomed to success on London’s Eton Dorney course, winning gold in the K1 500m at the Olympic Test Event last September.

Across the four women’s events Hannah Davis and Lyndsie Fogarty are the only women remaining from the 2008 campaign. They lead the K4 500m crew inspired to improve on their Beijing Olympic bronze.

“To come home with the bronze in Beijing was just amazing and we want to match that if not go one or two better in London,” Davis said. “You are always aspiring to that gold and we won’t make a lie of it, we’re setting our sights on it. We think we can do it and with the progress we’re making I think we’re on the right path.”

Davis and Fogarty are joined in the K4 by Sydney’s Jo Brigden-Jones – one of the world’s best paddlers before a serious shoulder injury stopped her from competing, and by 34-year-old mother of two Rachel Lovell. Injury and pregnancy prevented her from competing in 2004 and 2008 respectively, and now Lovell, who formerly paddled for Great Britain, heads back to her old training course aiming for gold.

Fogarty also combines with champion ironwoman Naomi Flood in the K2 500m, meaning Australia will be represented in every women’s boat at the Games. Flood has been phenomenal since switching  her focus from surf lifesaving to kayaking “for a new challenge,” and nothing can compare to what she expects in London. “It’s a massive step above anything I’ve been involved in,” the 2009 Ironwoman Series Champion said. “I think it’s going to be the biggest show on earth, full of all the familiar faces you see on TV across a wide variety of sports. Just to be in there in the mix with them, being involved in the Olympic Movement is so exciting. I just can’t wait.”

Courtesy of AOC

Since capturing gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Australia finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Games and picked up bronze in Beijing four years ago.

The performance of the Stingers on Sunday against the Beijing silver medallists demonstrated they were a legitimate shot of taking out the Olympic competition.

Australia and the USA have played off for medals at the past three Olympics and the latest edition of the rivalry was always going to be a tight affair.

Australian goalkeeper Alicia McCormack had an outstanding game while Nicola Zagame top-scored for the winning team with two goals.

After finishing a disappointing fifth at last year’s world titles, emerging victorious in the four-nation tournament at the temporary venue with the distinctive inflated roof was a major boost.

“We came here wanting to win every game in this pool, we went down to America the other night (10-9 in a round robin match) but we have the gold medal and now we know what today felt like,” McCormack said.

“The coach (Greg McFadden) tried to put as much pressure on us today about how it is going to feel in two and half months time.

“He tried to make it as realistic as possible. Hopefully it will go that way (in August).”

Australia’s coach Greg McFadden said his team had plenty of improvement in them before the Olympic competition begins on July 30.

“We are happy with where we are at,” he said.

He said playing in front of the big crowds at the Olympic venue this week had been invaluable with eight of Australia’s players having not competed at an Olympics.

“This is new to the eight of them and it is great for them to experience such an atmosphere,” he said.

The USA made a bright start with two quick goals before Australia fought back to capture a 4-3 halftime lead.

Zagame scored back-to-back goals to hand Australia a two-goal advantage and, at 6-4, McCormack produced a fine save to deflect American Lauren Silver’s penalty shot onto the bar.

The Stingers led 6-5 heading into the final quarter and neither side was able to add to the score sheet in a tense finish.

The match followed the release of the Olympic draw on Saturday.

McFadden was happy with his side being grouped with Italy, Great Britain and Russia.

“You have to beat them all,” McFadden said.

“There is no easy path to get to the final and I am pretty confident we can beat all three teams.”

The New South Wales player fired a final round of 67 to end just one shot behind Scottish teenager Carly Booth, 19, who earned her maiden win on the Ladies European Tour.

A winner on the Ladies European Tour late last year at the Sanya Ladies Open in China, Bondad had a flawless final round containing five birdies at the first, fifth, sixth, eighth and 12^th holes.

She said: “ Really pleased with the way I played.  I’m not disappointed at all, Carly is a good friend of mine, so really happy for her.”

“I hit a lot of greens this week so that was probably the best part of my game. I left a lot of putts out there but I shot five under, I hit every single green apart from the last three greens today. I missed the last three greens so I think just a little bit of nerves. My putting, I held it together, so I’m really happy with that.”

“ I’ve worked hard in the off season preparing to try and get on the LPGA this year so hopefully a good year.”

Booth, from Comrie in Perthshire, fired rounds of 70, 71 and 71 to end on a total of four-under-par 212, having played through near-freezing conditions earlier in the week.

It was then Booth’s to lose when she lead by one with two to play.  She made a great save at the 17^th before making par from out of a bunker short of the green at the last.

“It was only about two feet and I only just got it in the hole. I must have just felt the nerves there. I was fine all the way up until that putt, put it that way. I just didn’t feel anything until I holed that putt because I realised, ‘This is it!’ said Booth afterwards.

“It stopped at least for a second and I thought it was going to come up short. It was like the longest two foot putt I’ve ever had to hole,” Booth said.

It was a very good very for the Australian contingent with four players in the top 15.  Victorian Stacey Keating carded final round of 69 to finish just one back from Bondad and tied for fourth position, her best result on the Ladies European Tour since turning pro.  In her rookie year, 2011, Keating posted six top 10 finishes.

Karen Lunn, who has already tasted victory in 2012 in Europe, finished in share of 15^th position at two-over par, with fellow compatriot Sarah Kemp.

The players will now head south-east for the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open, in Belek, Antalaya.

ALPG

The Holland based rider is the leading female on the FEI world rankings, currently placed 10^th, after taking out the 5 star Global Champions Tour event in Doha, Qatar to start the 2012 season.

Tops-Alexander won two events on the 5 star circuit in 2011, only missing the top ten twice in ten events to assert herself as one of the world’s best.

“It’s a great feeling to have been selected for the team,” said Tops-Alexander.

“It has been a great start to the year and I’m really looking forward to London.”

Tops-Alexander will be looking to improve on her 10^th place individual result and 7^th place teams result that she claimed at her debut Olympic Games in Beijing.

“The only thing that is strange is that it doesn’t seem like so long ago that I was riding in Beijing. The time just gets by so fast and my horse feels better now than he did four years ago.”

She will now compete in events throughout Europe to prepare herself for the strong competition that awaits in London.

“I have competitions every weekend in the lead up to London. Except for two of them, the rest are all 5 star level which is great to keep myself up there with the best riders.

“My horse has six more competitions left until the Games and I will just try to make sure he is fit, healthy and fresh.”

Tops-Alexander and her jumping teammates will kick off their competition on Day 8, Saturday 4 August.

Equestrian Australia believed her results were of a high enough standard that she did not need to compete in nomination events in the lead up to the Olympic competition that will be held in London’s historic Greenwich Park.

“Edwina has been on the Australian equestrian team since 2002 and has a wealth of big competition experience,” said Stephen Lamb, National Performance Director for Jumping.

“Edwina is a highly respected and professional competitor whose experience on the world stage will be invaluable to the Australian jumping team that competes at Greenwich.”

Edwina’s three teammates for jumping will be nominated on 6 June based on performances at upcoming nomination events to be held in Lummen, Belgium and Linz, Austria.

View images here>>>

In the middle of Sydney fashion week and for the first time in Australian Olympic history the uniform – featuring a vintage green sports jacket and iconic Australian shoe – was unveiled ahead of the Games by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett was part of the athletes’ committee who developed the brief and worked with the Official Suppliers, Sportscraft and Volley, to produce a stunning Opening Ceremony uniform.

“We wanted something comfortable, relaxed, something iconically Australian but obviously something that suits athletes of all different shapes and sizes as well and it is just brilliant what they have been able to create for us,” Trickett, who will compete at her third Games said.

Also modelling the uniforms today were basketball superstar Lauren Jackson, who is off to her fourth Games, Sarah Tait who is set to row at her third, kayakers Naomi Flood, Murray Stewart, Kynan Maley and basketballer Adam Gibson all of whom are about to experience the thrill of the Games for the first time.

2012 Chef de Mission Nick Green who will lead his first Team in London is pleased with the reaction from the athletes.

“The uniform was designed by the athletes for the athletes and their reaction is very pleasing,” dual Olympic medallist Green said.

“We are announcing the uniforms to you before the opening ceremony for the first time. It is historic, we know London will be historic. Today, I believe, is a great historic event.

“Five foot gymnasts to seven-foot tall basketballers and all the sports in between will look sensational.”

Jackson is headed to her fourth Games and wrapped with the uniform.

“I think the uniforms are great. They’re very retro and for me it is my sort of style so I am very happy,” Jaskson said.

“This is one of my favourite opening ceremony uniforms. It is very iconic Australian. I feel very Australian, very patriotic and very proud to wearing it so I am really happy.

“This year they’ve made a point of making the uniforms comfortable. Leading into the games you want to be comfortable for those 7 hours you are on your feet.”

Paddler Murray Stewart who has been selected for a remarkable four events at his debut Games was enjoying the big fashion event off the water.

“I’ve been reaching for my inner model today which has been a bit of a task but I think we all did alright,” Stewart said. “The uniform is great. It is very comfortable and simple and I think it will be well suited to the occasion.”

Trickett and Green were joined on the Uniform Design Sub-Committee by Chris Fydler (swimming 2000 and 2012 Deputy Chef de Mission) and Trent Franklin (water polo 2004, 2008) who worked closely with designers from Sportscraft and Volley.

The brief summised that the athletes wanted to feel “proud, inspired and honoured” to be wearing the Opening Ceremony uniform. They felt it important that the uniform be contemporary, stylish, wearable, slim-fit and classic modern. Alongside style, comfort was identified as an important factor, with athletes spending up to seven hours on their feet during the Ceremony.

Over the past 18 month Sportscraft and Volley have travelled around Australia with the AOC to measure-up over 1,500 prospective Team members for the Opening Ceremony and a uniform for the Team Reception and other similar functions throughout the Games.

Tailored to the different shapes, sizes and heights of the athletes, the uniform features a bespoke size range going from a size 2XS to 7XL and shoes starting from a size 13 kids through to a 18 US men’s to cater for the eventual selected team of 400 athletes and 300 officials.

Sportscraft have created a uniform where the hero is the vintage sports jacket, which takes its inspiration from Australian sporting heritage and is both timeless and authentic. The uniform is relaxed and comfortable and reflects the Australian lifestyle. A garment wash gives the uniform a vintage feel enhanced by old gold embroidery of the Olympic crest. The modern colour palette features an Australian green and gold offset with crisp white. Attention has been paid to the detailing with antique style brass buttons and a navy trim.

Daniel Bracken, CEO, Apparel Group said: “Sportscraft are very proud and excited to have once again worked with the AOC on the 2012 Opening Ceremony uniforms. It is an honour for us to be a part of this collaboration: a great Australian brand supporting a great Australian Team.”

London 2012 marks a first for Volley being an Official Supplier of the Australian Olympic Team. Continuing its role in Aussie sporting history, Volley is proud to reveal its customised sandshoe for the Opening Ceremony. The 2012 Australian Olympic Team Volley is white, with a custom green and navy woven collar and heel tape, green leather collar lining, 4mm wide green round wax coated laces with gold metal aglets, full grain leather tongue with the Australian Olympic Crest and Rings laser etched on the front side and ‘Australian Olympic Team 27 July – 12 August’ on the inside, and a souvenir custom moulded metallic gold metal laser etched swing tag.

Pacific Brands CEO, Sue Morphet said: “Volley is an iconic Australian brand, making it the perfect fit in every sense for the Australian Olympic Team. The past 18 months have been huge for Volley, with the range reset to its original specifications and the re-launch of three classic styles from the archives as well as this partnership with the AOC. We are truly honoured that Volley will be recognised as an Official Supplier to the Australian Olympic Team.”

The Australian Olympic Team will wear the uniform by Sportscraft and Volley at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012. To share the spirit of the Games with all Australians, both Sportscraft and Volley will release licensed products, giving consumers the chance to own a piece of Australian Olympic history.

The Mixed and Women’s were pushed to their third games to take out their series 2-1 respectively.

 Game One

Mixed Open – Australia 8 defeated New Zealand 4

Women’s Open – New Zealand 4 defeated Australia 3

Game Two

Mixed Open – New Zealand 10 defeated Australia 9

Women’s Open – Australia 4 defeated New Zealand 3

Game Three

Mixed Open – Australia 10 defeated New Zealand 8

Women’s Open – Australia 7 defeated Australia 3

The following players were recognised after the series, winning awards for their respective teams:

Women’s Open

Player’s Player – Charlotte Caslick

Coaches Award – Kelly Woods

Kristy Judd Award – Ashleigh Quinlan

 Webb, along with fellow compatriot Lindsey Wright are right in mix of the $US1.25 tournament.  They will both be chasing American Stacy Lewis, who carded her second consecutive round of 67 to move to 14-under-par and two clear of good friend Brittany Lincicome (67).

The World Golf Hall of Famer posted a sensational round of eight-under-par 64 to catapult her from a tie for 56^th into a tie for sixth at 9-under-par.  Webb, who started on the 10^th, posted five birdies in her opening nine holes to go out in 31.  Another three birdies on her way home, saw her post for lowest round of the year and tie the tournament course record.

Webb was asked if she saw this kind of round coming and does she go out with number in her mind of what she wants to shoot.

“I don’t really set numbers. If you’d seen me play the last two days, you wouldn’t have thought I had a 64 in me.” She responded.

“I made birdie on 10, then I made about a six?footer for par on 11.  And what I’ve been doing of late when I make that birdie is I’ll miss that par putt, so I don’t have that continuing positive momentum.  So I made that putt, and with that, then I went on to make two more birdies on the next two holes.  So I really feel like that was totally the key to my round today.”

Webb will be looking to capture her 38^th LPGA title on Sunday, while Wright will be looking for her first.  Wright did win the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open earlier this year.

Wright, who started the day one shot behind overnight leader Lewis, was outright leader after seven holes after two birdies in her first seven holes.  A three-putt on the par 4 ninth saw her slip back.  The 32-year-old, couldn’t get any momentum going on the back nine, with her only birdie coming on the par 5 16^th.

She posted a round of 70 and is one shot ahead of Webb and shares fourth place with South Korean Sun Young Yoo.    France’s Karine Icher is outright third at 11-under-par.

It wasn’t a good day for Sarah Kemp, a 77 in the third round saw her drop down the leaderboard to one-over par and tied for 61^st. Wendy Doolan was the only other Australian to make the week-end, is at one-over as well after a 74.

It will be an all Australian affair in the second last group in the final round, Webb, Wright and Yoo are paired together.  Along with Webb and Wright, another two Australians are caddies in the group, former touring player Mardi Lunn caddies for Wright, while Adam Woodwood  is also an Aussie and is on Yoo’s bag.

Australia’s third gold medal of the event was won by Skud 18 crew Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch, who took the title by two points after being kept onshore by the rough conditions on Friday.

The win made it back-to-back ISAF Sailing World Cup round wins for the pair who were victorious in Miami back in January.

“We put in a good performance two days ago to get on top knowing that this was coming.” said Fitzgibbon.  “We knew that we had to be on top on the race course two days ago as the weather was coming in and we were able to execute our plans and come away with the win.”

Krystal Weir was seventh overall in the Laser Radial class, finishing ninth in the final medal race. Weir enjoyed the strong conditions in Hyeres as she builds towards next month’s Laser Radial World Championships in Germany.

From Hyeres the Australian Sailing Team will split up, with crews spreading out around Europe for a number of class World Championships before coming together again at the World Cup in Weymouth in early June for the final hit out on the Olympic course before London 2012.