Olympics: NZ build up continues in basketball, cycling, equestrian

By DAVID LEGGAT and NZPA

The Tall Blacks made a flying start to the United States leg of their buildup for next month's Athens Olympics with a 90-84 win over Puerto Rico in Florida yesterday.

Playing in coach Tab Baldwin's home town of Jacksonville, captain Pero Cameron and free-scoring shooter Phill Jones made it a happy homecoming for Baldwin.

Each bagged 20 points as the Tall Blacks put another one over the team they eliminated in the quarter-finals of the world championships in 2002. Guard Paul Henare got 11 points and Aaron Olson 10, including two three-pointers.

New Zealand led 51-44 at halftime and although Puerto Rico made up for a slow start they could get no closer than three points through the second half.

"New Zealand looked pretty sharp today, but the Puerto Ricans were flat, so that might have flattered us a bit," Baldwin said. "It was a good start but we have a lot to work on."

Baldwin is under no illusions that New Zealand still have a lot to accomplish before they are ready for the Olympic Games starting on August 13.

"In the greater scheme of things it was average, there's still a lot of improvement to be made."

The Puerto Ricans fielded a near top-strength side, missing only point guard Carlos Arroyo - who plays in the NBA for the Utah Jazz - with a back strain. The teams meet again tomorrow morning.

* Joanne Kiesanowski was the best placed of the New Zealand cycling contingent when the women's road race between Thuringen and Rundfahrt ended in Germany yesterday.

In her last lengthy leadup event to the Athens Olympics, US-based Kiesanowski finished 43rd on general classification, 19m 34s behind winner Zoulfia Zabirova of Russia, who won in 15h 39m 42s.

Next best among the New Zealand riders was Auckland's Toni Bradshaw, who was 61st yesterday and finished 52nd overall.

* Matthew Grayling and Revo made the most of their final outing before the Olympics, winning the Aston Le Walls Horse Trials in England yesterday in impressive style.

Taranaki-based Grayling rode the fastest cross-country in the advanced section to incur only .4 of a time fault. The experienced combination also put in a faultless showjumping round to head off Australia's experienced Andrew Hoy.

Dan Jocelyn was the next best placed New Zealander, finishing 12th on Silence after incurring 16 time faults on cross-country. Andrew Nicholson on Fenicio was 17th, with 15.6 time faults cross-country. He was 20th on his other Olympic qualified horse, Lord Killinghurst who had 12 faults in the showjumping and 12 time faults on the cross-country.


* In California, New Zealand showjumping team reserve Duncan McFarlane, riding Ezrah, won the $30,000 Pebble Beach Grand Prix with a clear jumpoff round. Olympic team member Guy Thomas was second, with fellow New Zealander Sharn Wordley third.