Windsurfer in hunt for medal at World University Games

Auckland windsurfer Matt McCormick remains in contention for a World University Games medal despite a day of mixed fortunes in Turkey yesterday.

McCormick failed to finish the first of yesterday's races after his boom broke, but was second in the following race to be third overall.

The 22-year-old arts and engineering student has six more races to sail at Izmir.

Sara Winther is also in the medal mix in fifth place after six races of the women's Laser Radial regatta.

Fiona Crombie and Stuart Kerr were eighth and 14th in their respective 3000m steeplechase finals, and Andrew Moore reached the second round of the men's 200m heats before finishing 23rd in 21.53s.

New Zealand's swim team could not add to their medal haul as they wrapped up a successful six-week campaign.

The team qualified for one A final and five B finals yesterday, and although the medal count remained at three, coach Thomas Ansorg said the overall results were a significant step for the sport in this country.

"At the end of the meet the swimmers were so popular with other teams wanting to swap gear. After our efforts at the world championships and now here in Turkey, the swimming world is starting to take notice of us."

In addition to the record medal haul, swimmers made 12 A finals and 13 B finals.

"We need to put the world championships and now these university games together to say that it has been a very important step forward by the New Zealand swimmers," said Ansorg, who paid tribute to coach Jan Cameron.

The team return home for a break before starting their buildup for the Commonwealth Games trials in December.

- NZPA