Rio Olympics 2016: New Zealand medal drought set to end overnight

A strong finish to New Zealand's Olympic campaign is in store - and the medal rush is set to begin tonight.

Kayaker Lisa Carrington won gold in the K-1 200m, the event she won in London four years ago.

Carrington, who is "mobbed" at events in Europe, according to her mum, is aiming to complete a unique Kiwi double in Rio.

Carrington will now turn her attention to the K-1 500m with heating starting tomorrow night.

There are more medal chances in the velodrome tonight, with Eddie Dawkins and Sam Webster competing in the keirin and Lauren Ellis in the omnium.

There are two more on the water. Sam Meech has a strong chance of at least bronze in the laser medal race (4.50am) while Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders are in contention in the nacra (6.20am).

There should be more medal opportunities in the sailing later this week.

Sam Meech's sister Molly Meech and Alex Maloney are poised to qualify for the medal race in the 49er FX class, while four-time world 49er champions Blair Tuke and Peter Burling have a commanding lead in their category.

Both crews will complete their respective regattas tonight - weather permitting. The medal races are early Friday.

There are at least two other strong medal opportunities on land. The world's best female golfer, Lydia Ko, gets her quest for Olympic glory underway late tomorrow evening, and on Thursday morning, the women's Black Sticks will face Great Britain in the hockey semifinals.

The best of Brazil could still be to come.

Kiwis in action tonight

Swimming:

Men's 10km open water marathon - Kane Radford, 12am

Athletics:

Women's 5000m round 1, Nikki Hamblin, Lucy Oliver, 12.30am

Kayak:

Women's K1 200m final - Lisa Carrington, 12.40am

GOLD MEDAL CHANCE

Athletics:

Women's pole vault qualifying - Eliza McCartney, 12.45am

Cycling:

Track - Men's Keirin first round, second round and finals (if qualified) - Eddie Dawkins, Sam Webster, from 1.18am

MEDAL CHANCE

Athletics:

Men's 1500m round 1 - Julian Matthews, Hamish Carson, Nick Willis, 1.30am

Cycling:

Track - Women's omnium - 500m time trial 1.57am, flying lap 250m time trial 7.10am, 25km points race 8.05am - Lauren Ellis

MEDAL CHANCE

Sailing:

Men's 49er - Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, Race 10 4.05am, Race 11 5.05am, Race 12 6.05am.

Sailing:

Men's 470 - Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox, Race 8, 4.05am, Race 9 4.35am, Race 10 5.05am.

Sailing:

Women's 49er FX - Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech, Race 10 4.05am, Race 11 4.35am, Race 12 5.05am.

Sailing:

Women's 470 - Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, Race 8 4.15am, Race 9 4.35am, Race 10 5.05am.

Sailing:

Laser men's medal race - Sam Meech, 4.50am

MEDAL CHANCE

Sailing:

Finn class medal race, Josh Junior, 5.35am

Sailing:

Nacra - Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders, medal race, 6.20am

MEDAL CHANCE

Golf:

Women's individual stroke play - Lydia Ko, 10.30pm