Kailua kayaker edged in trials
Advertiser Staff
Kailua Olympic kayaker Andy Bussey was edged at the finish line by doubles partner Jeff Smoke yesterday in the final of the men's single 1,000-meter event at the USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint Team Trials.
Racing on Mirror Lake at Lake Placid, N.Y., Bussey lost out when Smoke powered over the line so strongly with his legs that he ended up in the water after the finish.
"I just tried to stay calm and relaxed through the middle and make my push there at the end," Bussey said. "I just couldn't quite catch the 'Captain' (Smoke). It was a great race though."
Third place also saw a photo finish. Defending champion Rami Zur edged Kane'ohe's Brandon Woods by an inch.
On Friday, Bussey took third in the 500, behind Zur and Smoke, then teamed with Smoke to win the K-2 event.
Athletes finishing first are nominated to compete in that event for the United States at the upcoming Pan-American Championships. Athletes will then be nominated for events at the World Championships based on performances at the Pan-American Championships.
VOLLEYBALL
USA trumps Thailand
Nancy Metcalf scored a match-high 23 points to lead the USA Women's National Team to a sweep of Thailand at the World Grand Prix yesterday at Ningbo Beilun Gym in China.
Metcalf led all players with 15 kills, six blocks and two aces in the 25-13, 25-12, 25-22 victory. The Americans evened their Grand Prix record at 1-1.
"This was a good win for us and it gave us a lot of confidence, especially after a slow start against the Netherlands yesterday," said Punahou graduate Lindsey Berg, Team USA's reserve setter behind former Rainbow Wahine All-American Robyn Ah Mow-Santos. "Thailand played a lot better in every aspect in the third set while we struggled both in defense and offense. But the important thing is that we were able to win at last and we are very happy about the result."
The United States wraps up the first weekend of pool play today against defending Olympic gold medalist China.
On the second weekend of pool play (July 1 to 3), USA will play the Dominican Republic, Japan and Korea in Seoul, Korea. On the third weekend (July 8 to 10), USA will play Japan, Poland and Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand.
The top five ranked teams after pool play will advance to the championship round along with the host team, Japan, from July 13 to 18 in Sendai, Japan.
