10 Aug 2016

Rio Olympics: Action-packed night for NZ sports stars

10:08 pm on 10 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - It's an action-packed day for New Zealand athletes in Rio overnight.

2015 world time trial champion Linda Villumsen.

2015 world time trial champion Linda Villumsen. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Linda Villumsen begins the day's action for New Zealand in the women's individual time trial in road cycling.

It is Villumsen's favoured event, last year she won gold at the UCI Road World Championships and is a strong medal contender in tonight's race at 11.30pm.

New Zealand's rowers are back in action around the same time, the women's pair of Rebecca Scown and Genevieve Behrent kick off the evening's racing in the semifinals, and are a strong chance at taking out a medal to add to Scown's bronze in London.

Julia Edward and Sophie MacKenzie will line up in the lightweight women's doubles semis while the New Zealand mens and women's eight enter the repecharge.

Laser sailor Sam Meech competing at the Sailing World Championships in Santander, September 2014.

Laser sailor Sam Meech competing at the Sailing World Championships in Santander, September 2014. Photo: Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy

Also taking to the water are the New Zealand sailors.

Sam Meech is a strong medal hopeful in the men's Laser while Polly Powrie and Jo Aleh are looking to win back-to-back golds in the women's 470 class which gets underway from 4am.

Back on land the New Zealand hockey teams continue with their pool matches - the women take on Spain at 1am while the men play Brazil at 10.30am.

Both teams need wins over their lower ranked opponents to keep their medal chances alive.

Tim Mikkelson

Tim Mikkelson Photo: Photosport

The New Zealand men's sevens team is back on the pitch against Great Britain in their final pool match at 3.30am.

A win would all but guarantee them a place in the quarter finals, which begin at 8am.

New Zealand canoeist Mike Dawson will attempt to make the final of the men's K1 slalom.

Dawson's semifinal begins at 4.30am, he's a potential finalist after finishing the heats with one of the quickest times.

The finals begin just after 6am.

Mike Dawson on his way to 28th in the semifinals of the canoe slalom world championships in London, 2015.

Mike Dawson on his way to 28th in the semifinals of the canoe slalom world championships in London, 2015. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services

Two New Zealand swimmers are in the pool after midday tomorrow.

Corey Main is in the men's 200 metre backstroke semi-final while Bradlee Ashby is in the men's 200m medley semi - both are medal contenders.

Ryan Fox, Lydia Ko, Danny Lee

Ryan Fox, Lydia Ko, Danny Lee Photo: Supplied

Rounding out the day is the men's golf with Danny Lee and Ryan Fox teeing up for New Zealand at the brand new Rio course.

The first round gets underway from 10.30pm Thursday (New Zealand time), Lee tees off in the morning Rio time, while Fox has an afternoon tee time.

-RNZ