Wellington To Host St Kilda AFL Game - Will You Attend?

I wonder if more of my friends would come if Warwick Capper was still playing?


Wellington will host an AFL home game for St Kilda on Anzac Day. Would you attend this match? I think people could be keen for a one off novelty value, but I think there could be plans for more than one regular season games to be played here. I wonder what kind of crowd would show up? People may not be so keen to go to a game featuring teams they don't support and a sport they don't know much about.

The Wellington crowds struggle to reach 10,000 for the Wellington Phoenix in the A League or the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup rugby and the increased amount of sports matches and other activities in Wellington with their various cultural fesitvals on make me wonder if they will get more than 10,000 Wellingtonians anyway. There could be some St Kilda fans using this as an excuse to come to New Zealand and so could boost numbers.

Attendance figures will rely heavily on the weather, a nice night is forecast, although it might be a bit cool.  We must remember that the weather may not be the best and Wellingtonians are not the sports nutters from the provinces, but after the initial push and shove, people got behind the Rugby World Cup matches with a bit of help from the tourists. 


People don't have the disposable income to go to heaps of different sports, so it will be interesting to see what people are willing to pay to go to this game and it could be crucial. During the Rugby World Cup, prices put plenty of people off and so I think charging any more than $30 could be problematic.

This game has been heavily promoted in schools around Wellington and there are deals for kids, although I thought they would have a day game, rather than a night game to increase attendance, but I guess it has to be on at a decent hour for the Australian television audience. 

Will you attend the AFL game to be held in Wellington on Anzac Day?

Listen to my interview with ABC Grandstand relating to this.

St Kilda chief executive Michael Nettlefold is "extremely excited" about plans to play an historic AFL game in Wellington.

The Melbourne club, the AFL, and Wellington City Council are in talks about St Kilda playing a "home" game at Westpac Stadium on Anzac Day next year.

It would be the first time an AFL premiership game has been played outside Australia and while Nettlefold admitted there was "still a lot of work to be done", there is genuine enthusiasm from all three parties to make it happen.

"We're extremely excited about the prospect of bringing AFL to Wellington. There's still a lot of work to be done, obviously it's a very big project," Nettlefold said.

"The Wellington City Council have been most enthusiastic and St Kilda is very keen to pursue the opportunity, as are the AFL.

"The opportunity to have a game at Westpac Stadium for Anzac Day next year is something we're working very hard towards."

A council delegation has accepted an invitation to attend next week's Anzac Day game between Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG.

More than 95,000 fans are expected to attend the blockbuster which Nettlefold said would give the delegation a "very real sense of the significance" of the sport's pulling power.

It is also hoped meetings in Melbourne will advance talks towards a deal similar to that between Hawthorn and the Tasmanian government.

Hawthorn has reaped millions of dollars playing four "home" games a year in Launceston.

"We're encouraged by the success of the Hawthorn-Tasmanian government activities that they've built over the last number of years," Nettlefold said.

"There's some elements that are very relevant for the relationship between the St Kilda Football Club and Wellington. Certainly a successful model that we look at."

Nettlefold was part of a delegation from St Kilda and the AFL that visited Wellington in January and watched a trial game between the Australian Institute of Sport and New Zealand's national team.

Nettlefold described Westpac Stadium as a "magnificent stadium for AFL football".

"The surface is second to none that I've seen in all my years in AFL football. So we think the prospect of a game being played out of that stadium is actually quite exciting."


Wellington has hosted three pre-season games of AFL.

In 1998, the Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons played an Ansett Cup game at the Basin Reserve, attracting 9000 fans.

In 2000, 14,500 braved the rain to watch the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn square off at Westpac Stadium, but a year later at the same venue the crowd dropped to 8500 for a game between the Brisbane Lions and the Adelaide Crows.

"We think it'll be well supported," Nettlefold said. "We'd be making a commitment that would be greater than just Anzac Day. Our intention is to sort of end up playing two, if not three games in Wellington and we're excited."

Nettlefold said he had received overwhelmingly positive feedback from St Kilda and AFL circles about the Wellington proposal.

"The opportunity for Saints fans to travel to Wellington is something they're actually quite excited about. Saints people are passionate about their side being on the international stage, bearing in mind I think this will be, hopefully, the first time that games have been played outside of Australia for premiership points."

The AFL has an office in New Zealand and are becoming increasingly active in schools and the community.

Sport New Zealand and AFL New Zealand have developed a "KiwiKick" programme and St Kilda are looking to feed off that as well as gain access to promising athletes.

"The Saints are looking to work in those programmes with the community of Wellington and New Zealand," Nettlefold said. "We can provide those pathways for promising athletes that become AFL aspirational."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/6768830/Wellington-AFL-game-tipped-for-Anzac-Day

Watch Free Live Streaming London 2012 Paralympics

Watch free live streaming London 2012 Paralympic Games.


http://www.paralympic.org/

Should Mike Tyson Be Allowed in New Zealand?

Mike Tyson is due to come to New Zealand on November 15 as part of an international tour where he will be a motivaitonal speaker for fans. The problem is that Mike Tyson was in prison for rape in the early 1990s and this could see him refused entry to New Zealand for his tour. Do you think Mike Tyson should be allowed in New Zealand? Would you go and see him when he speaks in Auckland on November 15th? What kind of crowd would he pull?

Watch Free Live Streaming Marriage Equality First Reading and Vote, New Zealand Politics

If you want to watch New Zealand's marriage equality first reading and vote tonight but don't have Sky TV, here's your internationally accessible live stream:

Watch Free Live Streaming Marriage Equality First Reading and Vote, New Zealand Politics.

Should Marriage Equality be made legal?


http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/AboutParl/SeeHear/PTV/

London 2012 Paralympic Games - How It Differs From The Olympic Games

Sitting volleyball is a Paralympic Games sport.

The Paralympic Games 2012 are in London running from 29th August to 9th September. There will be 4200 athletes from 165 countries competing in twenty different sports. These sports range from standard Olympic Games sports like swimming and athletics to sports which aren't usually played by any able bodied athletes like Boccia, wheelchair rugby, powerlifting and sitting volleyball. The London 2012 Olympic Games sparked a flurry of ticket sales for the Paralympic Games too with nearly all of the 2.5 million tickets sold already. I wonder if heaps of these of people missed out on the London 2012 Olympic Games and so were happy to attend the Paralympics to say they have been to an event.

While I respect these athletes and think that it would be awesome to get a gold medal at the Paralympic Games, but it is nothing compared with an Olympic Games gold medal. There are so many different classifications which really dilutes the field as some events have very few competitors across the classifications. There are 170 athletics events and 148 swimming ones which are far more than any other sport. It is the different events across the different categories. It means that a far higher proportion of athletes get medals at the Paralympics than at the Olympic Games. It reminds me of the New Zealand Masters Games where there are heaps of different medals for people in different age groups. I guess the emphasis is more on participation than the actual Olympic Games, winning an Olympic gold medal in most sports ensures that the fastest, strongest or furthest person in the world won an event.

I wonder with the Paralympic Games if they run into problems with drugs? Heaps of these athletes could be on medication for their conditions. I wonder if this causes problems. Surely there would also be people on performance enhancing drugs.

While it isn't quite the pinnacle of sport in my view, it is still a big enough achievement to get people who are cheats trying to win medals. The Spanish basketball team in 2000 had only two out of their squad of 12 who were elligible for their gold medal winning team in their classification.

It will be great when these games begin. I will probably watch the more traditional sports which are played at the Olympic Games. Some of the other sports are more made for people with disabilities and have limited exposure in this country. At the end of the day, the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games are comparing apples with oranges unless you get Oscar Pistorius competing in both. I wonder if he should be allowed at both? He will probably clean up at the Paralympic Games? Anyway we just need to get behind New Zealand. Some of these athletes are pretty handy in some of their sports and would probably wipe the floor with heaps of full bodied athletes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Summer_Paralympics

The 2005 movie, Ringer featuring Jonny Knoxville posing as a competitor makes a mockery of the Paralympic Games, but the lengths people will go through to either become successful or pay off debts! If Jeffy could easily become a sprint star then maybe the standard isn't too high. I think the competition would be tougher than The Ringer portrays!

Here is the definition of the different categories and classifications. So there are six disability categories and within each of them there are several different classifications or levels of impairment. This can make a joke of a gold medal if there aren't many other competitors.

Do you think a Paralympic Games medal is better than an able-bodied Olympic Games medal? I am glad they don't combine the medals won at both games together to give countries total medals.

Categories

The IPC has established six disability categories. Athletes with one of these physical disabilities are able to compete in the Paralympics though not every sport can allow for every disability category. These categories apply to both Summer and Winter Paralympics.[52]
Amputee: Athletes with a partial or total loss of at least one limb.
Cerebral Palsy: Athletes with non-progressive brain damage, for example cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke or similar disabilities affecting muscle control, balance or coordination.
Intellectual Disability: Athletes with a significant impairment in intellectual functioning and associated limitations in adaptive behavior. The IPC primarily serves athletes with physical disabilities, but the disability group Intellectual Disability has been added to some Paralympic Games. This includes only elite athletes with intellectual disabilities, where few qualify. However, the IOC recognized Special Olympics World Games are open to all people with intellectual disabilities.[2]
Wheelchair: Athletes with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities that require them to compete in a wheelchair.
Visually Impaired: Athletes with visual impairment ranging from partial vision, sufficient to be judged legally blind, to total blindness. The sighted guides for athletes with a visual impairment are such a close and essential part of the competition that the athlete with visual impairment and the guide are considered a team, and both athletes are medal candidates.[39]
Les Autres: Athletes with a physical disability that does not fall strictly under one of the other five categories, such as dwarfism, multiple sclerosis or congenital deformities of the limbs such as that caused by thalidomide (the name for this category is the French for "the others").[52]

[edit] Classification system

Within the six disability categories the athletes still need to be divided according to their level of impairment. The classification systems differ from sport to sport, and are intended to open up sports to as many athletes as possible, who can participate in fair competitions against athletes with similar levels of ability. The biggest challenge in the classification system is how to account for the wide variety and severity of disabilities. Consequently within most classifications there is a range of impairment.[53]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympic_Games

London 2012 Paralympics New Zealand Television Schedule

The Paralympics start on the 29th August and run until the 9th September. Here is a a schedule of the Sky television coverage of the event. The Paralympics don't get as much coverage as the London 2012 Olympics but there is still more coverage than there were on television of the previous Olympic games.

Sky Sport’s strong commitment to showcasing the feats of Paralympic athletes is set to continue with extensive coverage of the upcoming London 2012 Paralympic Games.

From the end of August through to the Closing Ceremony on September 10, SKY Sport will broadcast both the Day Session and Evening session highlights from the Paralympic Games hot off the satellite from the London. SKY Sport will also feature live coverage of both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The highlights from each day will feature in prime-time where at all possible, and on the SKY Sport Highlights Channel, replaying every three hours.

iSKY will feature Paralympic Games highlights for SKY Sport subscribers and Video-to-Mobile will feature the Opening and Closing ceremonies live as well as highlights.

Prime News: First at 5.30 and The Crowd Goes Wild will also feature Paralympic Games coverage in their bulletins.

The New Zealand Paralympic Games team features 26 athletes including 16 debutants competing for Gold against the world’s best. Kiwi athletes won a total of 12 medals in Beijing four years ago including five gold medals – three of those to swimmer Sophie Pascoe who is returning for her second Paralympic Games.

Paralympics New Zealand Secretary General and Chief Executive, Fiona Allan is delighted that New Zealanders can witness the inspiring performances of the amazing kiwi athletes competing at the Paralympic Games. As the Olympic Games draw to a close, she encourages the nation to get behind the New Zealand Paralympians.

SKY Sport HD Broadcast details:
(Schedule subject to change)

Aug 30 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony SKY Sport 1 7.30am LIVE
Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony SKY Sport 3 5.30pm REPLAY

Aug 31 Morning Highlights – Day One SKY Sport 1 8.00am
Morning Highlights – Day One SKY Sport 3 2.00pm REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day One SKY Sport 1 5.30pm

Sep 1 Evening Highlights – Day One SKY Sport 3 2.00am REPLAY
Morning Highlights – Day Two SKY Sport 2 9.00am
Morning Highlights – Day Two SKY Sport 2 3.00pm REPLAY

Sep 2 Evening Highlights – Day Two SKY Sport 2 1.15am
Morning Highlights – Day Three SKY Sport 3 10.00am
Morning Highlights – Day Three SKY Sport 1 6.30pm REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day Three SKY Sport 1 7.30pm
Evening Highlights – Day Three SKY Sport 2 11.00pm REPLAY

Sep 3 Morning Highlights – Day Four SKY Sport 3 10.00am
Morning Highlights – Day Four SKY Sport 1 4.00pm REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day Four SKY Sport 1 7.30pm

Sep 4 Evening Highlights – Day Four SKY Sport 3 12.00am REPLAY
Morning Highlights – Day Five SKY Sport 2 8.00am
Morning Highlights – Day Five SKY Sport 1 12.30pm REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day Five SKY Sport 2 8.30pm
Evening Highlights – Day Five SKY Sport 1 11.00pm REPLAY

Sep 5 Morning Highlights – Day Six SKY Sport 2 7.00am
Morning Highlights – Day Six SKY Sport 1 10.30am REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day Six SKY Sport 2 7.30pm
Evening Highlights – Day Six SKY Sport 3 10.00pm REPLAY

Sep 6 Morning Highlights – Day Seven SKY Sport 2 9.00am
Morning Highlights – Day Seven SKY Sport 2 1.30pm REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day Seven SKY Sport 3 7.00pm
Evening Highlights – Day Seven SKY Sport 3 10.00pm REPLAY

Sep 7 Morning Highlights – Day Eight SKY Sport 2 7.30am
Morning Highlights – Day Eight SKY Sport 1 12.00pm REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day Eight SKY Sport 3 6.55pm
Evening Highlights – Day Eight SKY Sport 3 10.10pm REPLAY

Sep 8 Evening Highlights – Day Eight SKY Sport 1 5.00am REPLAY
Morning Highlights – Day Nine SKY Sport 2 8.00am
Morning Highlights – Day Nine SKY Sport 3 4.30pm REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day Nine SKY Sport 3 7.30pm
Evening Highlights – Day Nine SKY Sport 3 10.10pm REPLAY

Sep 9 Morning Highlights – Day Ten SKY Sport 2 9.30am
Evening Highlights – Day Ten SKY Sport 2 9.00pm
Evening Highlights – Day Ten SKY Sport 1 1.00pm REPLAY

Sep 10 Morning Highlights – Day Eleven SKY Sport 2 6.30am
Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony SKY Sport 2 7.30am LIVE
Morning Highlights – Day Eleven SKY Sport 1 11.00am REPLAY
Evening Highlights – Day Eleven SKY Sport 1 7.30pm
Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony SKY Sport 1 8.30pm REPLAY

Sep 11 Evening Highlights – Day Eleven SKY Sport 1 3.30pm REPLAY

http://www.paralympics.org.nz/skysport.htm

Flight of Conchords FEEL INSIDE AND STUFF LIKE THAT WITH KIDS

This a cool video featuring Flight of the Conchords as they write a song based on what children have told them for Cure Kids.

www.curekids.org.nz
Go to iTunes and BUY IT NOW. Profits go to Cure Kids.
http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/feel-inside-stuff-like-that/id555158144
www.amplifier.co.nz/track/90247/feel-inside-and-stuff-like-that-feat-guest-artis­ts.html

Lance Armstrong To Be Stripped Of 7 Tour de France Titles - Armstrong Gives Up

Lance Armstrong has thrown in the towel and will stop fighting the drugs allegations that have plagued him throughout his career. It seems that even Armstrong who has battled both cancer and heaps of other cyclists to win seven Tour de France titles has had enough. It is difficult to know what goes on behind closed doors, but you have to wonder what actually did happen to him? There is such widespread evidence of doping in cycling and athletics that it is easy to be sceptical of any performance. This seems opposite to what happened to David Bain where he is probably guilty but got let off because it wasn't beyond reasonable doubt, should cycling be any different? So do the runners up in the seven Tour de France's that Armstrong won now get the titles? What do you think? Innocent until proven guilty?

I think Armstrong must have at least been hanging out with people who were into doping and if he wasn't into it himself, it is risky hanging out with the wrong crowd. In all likelihood he was probably involved in one form or another, but the drugs were more advanced than the testing at the time.

If you were innocent, would you give up like this? Does this prove that doping in sport is more widespread than initially thought even by people from western countries?

US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart says the agency will ban Lance Armstrong from cycling for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles for doping.

Armstrong on Friday Morning (NZT) dropped any further challenges to USADA's allegations that he took performance-enhancing drugs to win cycling's premier event from 1999-2005.

Armstrong says USADA doesn't have the authority to vacate his Tour titles. However, Tygart told The Associated Press that USADA can do it.

Tygart called the Armstrong case a "heartbreaking" example of a win-at-all costs approach to sports.

Armstrong, who retired last year, declined to enter arbitration - his last option - because he said he was weary of fighting accusations that have dogged him for years. He has consistently pointed to the hundreds of drug tests that he has passed as proof of his innocence.

Armstrong says he is innocent, but announced Friday morning (NZT) that he has decided against fighting USADA because he is weary of the doping accusations that have dogged him for years. His decision could lead to a lifetime ban from cycling and perhaps the loss of the Tour titles he won from 1999-2005.

He said ''there comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, ''Enough is enough.'' For me, that time is now,'' adding that the investigation is an ''unconstitutional witch hunt.''

In the statement, Armstrong did not concede having used performance enhancing substances during his celebrated cycling career. On the contrary, he said he would "jump at the chance" to put the allegations to rest.

But Armstrong said he refused to participate in the USADA process, which he called "one-sided and unfair."

The Austin American-Statesman reported that Armstrong also alerted the USADA in a letter sent just before a midnight Thursday deadline that he would not fight the charges through arbitration.

"Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances," he said in the statement.

The USADA, a quasi-governmental agency created by the US Congress in 2000, formally charged Armstrong in June with doping and taking part in a conspiracy with members of his championship teams. Five other cyclists have been accused of conspiring with Armstrong over the course of 14 years to hide doping activity.

The agency said in a letter to Armstrong that it has blood samples from 2009 and 2010 that are "fully consistent" with doping.

In the letter, which was published in the Washington Post, the agency said it also has at least 10 former team-mates and colleagues of Armstrong who will testify he used doping drugs during races from 1999 to 2005.

Lawyers for Armstrong contend the USADA gathered evidence by threatening to ruin the careers of fellow cyclists who have agreed to testify against him. Armstrong's lawyers also argue that the agency's rules violate his right to a fair trial and that it lacks proper jurisdiction to charge him.

In February, the Justice Department dropped an investigation cantered on whether Armstrong and his team-mates cheated the sponsor of their bike racing team, the U.S. Postal Service, with a secret doping program.

Armstrong's attorneys contend that he has "passed every drug test ever administered to him in his career - a total of 500 to 600 tests... more drug tests than any athlete in history."

They say the International Cycling Union has proper jurisdiction in the case.

USADA says Armstrong used banned substances dating to 1996, including the blood-booster EPO and steroids, as well as blood transfusions. Armstrong sued in federal court to block the charges but lost.

Anti-doping officials have accused Armstrong of using performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids and blood boosters, and participating in a complex doping scheme on his teams while winning the Tour de France every year from 1999-2005. USADA officials say up to 10 former teammates are ready to testify against him and they have drug test results from 2009-2010 that are "consistent" with doping.

Armstrong says he has passed more than 500 drug tests in his career and accused USADA officials of waging a personal vendetta against him.

The 40-year-old Armstrong retired from cycling in 2011 and walked away without being charged following a two-year federal investigation into many of the same accusations he faces from USADA. That probe was closed in February. USADA officials told Armstrong in June they were pursuing separate, non-criminal doping charges.

Sanctions by USADA could damage his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists in history, an athlete who is a hero to many for overcoming life-threatening testicular cancer and for the Lance Armstrong Foundation's work supporting cancer survivors and funding research.

Doping rumours and allegations have dogged Armstrong throughout his career. In a sport rife with cheaters, he has been under constant suspicion from those who refused to believe he was a clean rider winning cycling's premier event against a field of doped-up competition.

The latest charges from USADA spawned a turf war between sports agencies. The Switzerland-based International Cycling Union said USADA did not have jurisdiction to pursue the case and urged the American agency to turn over evidence to them to determine if an investigation should proceed. The World Anti-Doping Agency supported USADA's claims of jurisdiction.

Armstrong sued in federal court to block USADA's case, arguing the arbitration process was unfair. His lawsuit was dismissed earlier this week by a federal judge, forcing Armstrong to decide whether to challenge the charges in arbitration - something he says violates his constitutional rights to due process. USADA officials say their process is fair and widely recognised by sports agencies across the globe.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/7540277/Armstrong-drops-challenge-to-USADA-charges

Wellington On A Plate - The Great Burger Challenge - Which Burger Is The Best In Wellington?

Last weekend I tried two special burgers which are participating in the Great Burger Challenge in Wellington as part of the Wellington On A Plate event. You go to any of the 63 places participating in the event and you rate the burgers via text and go into the draw to win prizes. The top five burger places with the highest average rankings go forward to the final for a bake off. I can see this being easily manipulated since the competition goes for about two weeks, so most places will try to get their friends and family to vote, because it is a big honour, but it is a cool idea anyway.

I also think that after reading reviews on these burgers, people could easily be swayed as to which restaurant to go to even though some people may have different tastes. I loved ostrich, but hated goat. It also means people may go to the good ones so they get more votes or people may have thought it was average but after reading reviews, may have changed their minds.

Which burgers have you tried out of the Wellington On A Plate Best Burger in Wellington, how would you rate it?

http://www.wellingtononaplate.com/competitions/burger-wellington-2012/?gclid=CNzk5db6_rECFXBUpgodE0AAwQ

We tried One80's Awestrickin Ostrich Burger and it was great. This restaurant is on the 7th floor at the Copthorne Hotel on Oriental Parade. There were hardly any other diners there, mind you, given the prices of most other items on the menu, it is hardly surprising. Most people probably eat out or in their hotel room. The burger cost $25 and came as an open burger. I got mine without the beetroot chutney, but it was still amazing with a big thick Ostrich pattie and bacon. The bacon made it a little salty, but the meat tasted amazing and the fries were neatly presented in the mini fryers for a nice touch. We all rated this highly and the people at the Wellingtonian newspaper who are also doing reviews did too.

9/10

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/wellington-on-a-plate/the-great-burger-challenge/?page=8

The next one I tried was at Hop Garden and was goat. It only cost $18, but I wouldn't have paid any more for it. Unfortunately they ran out of the buns, but the bread they served with it didn't improve how it tasted. I thought I was brave eating ostrich on Friday night, but eating Moroccan spiced goat with aubergine, couscous and harissa sauce among other things was something I regretted. I rated it 5/10.

The Casablanca Kid

Moroccan-spiced wild Wairarapa goat patty with roasted aubergine, couscous, lettuce, tomato and harissa sauce in a toasted Brezelmania bun, with handcut chips and weissbier aioli

http://www.wellingtononaplate.com/dine-wellington-2012/dine/the-hop-garden

Total Recall 2012 vs Total Recall 1990

I went and saw the new Total Recall 2012 preview screening in Wellington tonight. It was remarkably entertaining in the first half, although the second half got a bit crazy especially with the baddies always missing and the lift shafts where the goodies kept conveniently finding a lift top to latch on to. Anyway, this movie is good and in many ways reminds you of more modern movies like Inception which encourage you to think outside the square and question reality. Colin Farrell is a better actor than Arnie, but it is still funny not seeing big Arnie there. Of course, there was a three breasted woman, but I don't know if it is because I expected it or less was made of it, but it didn't quite seem as memorable in this movie.

Have you seen Total Recall 2012? What did you think?

The Facekini Hits China

Facekinis are the latest fashion item on Chinas' beaches. It looks like something you would see in bank robberies or Mexican wrestling. Unlike western society which seems to place a high emphasis on tanned skin through wearing the bikini and in Kazakhstan, the mankini was made famous by the movie Borat, but now we have the facekini. It preserves the pale skin to give a look which is highly sort after in China obviously.

Do you think the "Facekini" will ever take off in New Zealand? In some ways it is a good idea, but it must get very hot and uncomfortable.

No, these people are not bank robbers or Mexican wrestlers. They are just trying to avoid a tan.

In China, where pale skin tone is preferred, a new item of beachwear dubbed the Facekini is making a splash in the coastal tourist city of Qingdao, in Shandong Province.

The masks, which come in different colours and patterns and are paired with body suits, completely cover the swimmers' heads, revealing only their eyes, noses and mouths.

http://news.msn.co.nz/glanceview/251013/facekini-beach-craze-hits-china.glance

Win A Date With Meghan Mutrie From Crowd Goes Wild

Here is a Trade Me auction with a difference. The winner wins a date with Crowd Goes Wild reporter Meghan Mutrie. I have met Meghan once waiting for a bus and she is really friendly. She is hot and loves sports and steaks. Currently the bidding is over $700, but because this is a fundraiser (for paralysed rugby player Seti Tafua) the bidding will most likely go into four figures. Happy bidding!

This is an auction that will make the Bidders Go Wild – two great things will come out of this.
1. The winner will go on a date with one of the most attractive and talented but down to earth bachelorettes currently in the country and
2. The monies raised will go towards the Seti Tafua Appeal Fund

Seti Tafua a popular Wellingtonian was seriously injured in Sydney on June 23rd playing club rugby and faces life possibly being paralysed from the waist down. Seti has been in the Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital since and is soon to be transferred back to New Zealand where he will continue his rehab in the Auckland Spinal Unit.

Meghan Mutrie, Reporter for The Crowd Goes Wild knows what it’s like to overcome a serious injury and that’s why she’s put her hand up and has gone ALL IN FOR SETI and is supporting the efforts of many by helping raise money for the Seti Tafua Appeal Fund.

Bid here!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=506367579

Lightning Storm Hits Wellington 20/8/2012

A lightning storm hit Wellington this evening thanks to a storm hitting the capital. It was weird seeing so many bright flashes in the night sky, but because it was quite warm, humid and not raining I was left wondering if I was imagining it? Anyway, this proves that I am not going crazy and it isn't just someone with a massive flash light or putting on a show. The weather has since packed a sad, but this is hardly surprising given that it has been a mild winter so far and we are still in August.

A thunder storm brewing over the Cook Strait hit Wellington about 8.15pm.

Spectacular lightning could be seen off Wellington's south coast as it approached.

About 8.30pm, hail stones the size of marbles started hammering the city.

The Metservice issued a severe weather watch for the capital, warning there may be surface flooding.

MetService forecaster Stephen Glassey said the thunder storm formed about 5pm when a southerly and northerly wind converged, creating lift.

There had already been a lot of lightning strikes reported, he said.

However, there was only a moderate risk of thunder by the time it made land later.

Wellington's eastern suburbs and Wairarapa's south coast were the most likely areas to be affected.

While the storm would come with a southerly change, the temperature was only expected to drop by about 2deg celsius, to about 10degC.

The forecast for Tuesday was for some showers and a southerly wind.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7513265/Lightning-storm-hits-Wellington

My Two Degrees of Separation Experiment

According to the Guardian, there is 3.74 degrees of separation between users worldwide. This is significantly less than the widely held principle of six degrees of separation, but far bigger than the New Zealand stereotype of two degrees of separation.

I am going to run an experiment, please list any person on either this post or on Facebook and I will see if this person is a mutual friend of any of my friends i.e. two degrees of separation.

This has come about because in Christian circles especially it is so easy to have mutual friends, especially once you get older and see mutual friends on Facebook. Also during the London 2012 Olympics everyone knew someone who knew someone in the Olympics it seemed.

The first rule is, this person must be relatively famous and a New Zealander. We will run a trial of the first ten names listed just to see if I know someone who knows this person. This does rely on people having a profile on Facebook and is only possible if the person mentioned is on Facebook.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/23/facebook-degrees-of-separation

One Third Of New Zealanders Have Cheated On Their Partner - Survey Results Interesting

Another very reputable survey has found that one third of kiwis surveyed have cheated on their partners, with even more people owning up to cheating in the hot spots of Gisborne, Napier and Palmerston North. This is sad, but I guess it depends exactly what defines cheating on as. Is it kissing someone outside your relationship or more? How is your relationship defined? Relationships do range from simply four or more dates to marriage. Still, this lack of loyalty is fairly typical of the times we live in unfortunately.

There are some other stunning findings from this survey which suggests that bad breath and smoking are usually turnoffs, while nagging is a big turnoff for guys and body odour turns the ladies off. I guess, some of these can actually be anything but a turnoff, but it depends on the person.

Meeting through friends is the most popular way to meet ahead of online and nightclubs.

These findings are actually quite interesting, what do you think? Are people honest in these surveys? Is there anything we can do to stop people cheating on others or is it a sign of the times?

Fidelity appears to be tough to come by as one in three New Zealanders has cheated on their partners, according to a new survey.

The Mega Kiwi Sex Survey 2012 shows 35.1 per cent of women and 35.7 per cent men have confessed to cheating.

A further 20 per cent of women and 17 per cent of men also admitted having a "close call".

People aged between 18 and 24 were the most likely age group to cheat.

The survey of more than 1500 people also found there were hot spots where cheating was common.

Fifty per cent of respondents from Gisborne, 47.8 per cent of those from Napier and 43.8 per cent of respondents from Palmerston North confessed to cheating.

The survey showed New Zealanders didn't find dating easy. More than 20 per cent of men and 29.4 per cent of women felt that finding a partner was difficult because Kiwis tended not to date.

A quarter of women and 14.5 per cent men also believed the dating pool was lacking with all the good partners already taken.

A bashful 10 per cent of men felt that women were too intimidating, while five per cent of women thought Kiwi men were too shy.

But if people really wanted to find love, both men (41.1 per cent) and women (56.1 per cent) felt the best way to do it was through friends.

The second best way was online, with 16.7 per cent of men and 13.2 per cent of women viewing the internet as an optimistic portal of love. Bars and nightclubs was third on the list.

Bad breath was the biggest turn off for women (31.9 per cent), followed by body odour (24 per cent) and smoking (13.9 per cent).

For men, smoking was the breaking point with 22.1 per cent finding it unattractive. They were also turned off by nagging and bad breath.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/love-sex/7483444/Sex-please-we-re-Kiwis

Are New Zealanders Poorer Winners Than We Are Losers?

Paraguay's Leryn Franco finished 18th in the women's javelin, but would we have been such poor losers and then winners if she had been the person who won a gold medal ahead of our Valerie Adams and then got had up for cheating like this woman?


This woman beat Valerie Adams to win a gold medal but has been criticised in New Zealand for her looks. We showed when she initially won her gold medal that we were poor losers despite her obvious masculine physical appearance, we still mocked her and compared her to Jake from Two and a Half Men and former Ireland hooker Shane Byrne. She looked similar in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when she lost to Valerie Adams.





New Zealanders have a habit of being poor losers, especially when it comes to the All Blacks losing at the Rugby World Cup. Just look at the aftermath of 1995 where Suzie was to blame, 2003 when John Mitchell and Carlos Spencer (that great Lions coaching team) were to blame or 2007 when Wayne Barnes was to blame and it makes you think that we are poor sports and love making excuses. Valerie Adams wasn't necessarily the most gracious loser when she won silver initially, but now I wonder if she actually had suspicions that her opponent was taking drugs?



It is funny because Valerie Adams was a bit like the Australian favourite who we mocked in the photo above. It is all based around high expectations placed on these girls as favourites at the Olympic Games, especially by people in their countries. We expected Valerie to show up and win a gold medal. Sport doesn't work that way, sometimes you have off days and your opponent is on fire. In this case it worked out good in the end.

But I find it a bit annoying how we are still rubbing it in for Belarus's shot putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk even though we won? Sure, she is no Leryn Franco in the looks department, but we weren't as mean in Beijing when she won silver behind Adams. I wonder if social media has plenty to answer for with the easy distribution of photos and comments on Facebook and Twitter?

We are usually relatively humble victors due to our conservative, glass half empty mentality following events like the Rugby World Cup 2011 where it was more a feeling of relief than anything, but I wonder if getting six medals has gone to our heads? Or is it just that the Ostapchuk is unfortunate looking and we like to poke fun at those different to ourselves? We are poor losers and when we are expected to win and don't there is always some kind of post mortem, but I think that we have enjoyed sticking it to our trans-tasman neighbours for being ahead of them on the medal table for half of the games. We are the little brother or cousin and come out fighting when we are in a corner. That is why Stephen Jones the Welsh rugby scribe can't believe his luck when he gets a response out of us after he hassles us. We get very defensive because we are usually the small brother or the underdog.

I still think we should celebrate success, but not at the expense of others. We also love the per capita projection of medals which in the scheme of things doesn't mean a heck of a lot, but usually favours us.

I would like to think that we are poorer losers than winners, I like to think we are usually gracious and humble in victory, although I do think we are usually bitter in unexpected defeat and we can be slow to give our credit to the other athlete or team, but that is human nature. In many ways it is good that someone is disappointed that they don't win, but you need to move on and give credit when it is due.

Not Many (Row Mix) - Jono and Ben at Ten

Watch this clever video from Jono and Ben at Ten featuring heaps of references to other New Zealanders. It is mildly amusing. Not Many is a take off of Scribe's Not Many and is a tribute to New Zealand's double sculls Olympic gold medalists Hamish Bond and Eric Murray.

Nadzeya Astapchuk Belarus Shotputter Fails Drugs Test Valerie Adams Wins Gold

Nadzeya Astapchuk pictured from Belarus has been found guilty of taking illegal drugs and her gold medal from the women's shotput has gone to New Zealander Valerie Adams. New Zealand now has six gold medals. She has been banned for two years.

There were vicious rumours circulating about her taking drugs, but more to do with her appearance than suspicions raised by her amazing performance.

This moves New Zealand up to 15th on the medal table with six gold medals two silvers and five bronze. Bad luck Cuba!

I am going to put it out there and say that she won't be the last person to be disqualified from the London 2012 Olympic Games. It means that Adams won't get the plaudits she deserves now! I wonder if Adams had her suspicions when she never really gave her opponent much credit for winning.

New Zealand needs multiple others to be busted in order for Nick Willis (1500 metres) and Jack Bauer 10th (cycling road race) to get amongst the medals. Cycling and running are the main culprit sports.

In other sports, does Zara Phillips get drugs tested for her efforts in equestrian? I know her mother Princess Anne never did.

Does this release the pressure on the New Zealand Olympic Committee after their administrative botch up in not entering people a handful of athletes including Adams. I would say there are a few relieved people, one especially in Dunedin.

13/08/2012


The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that it has disqualified, withdrawn the medal from, and excluded Belarus’s Nadzeya Ostapchuk (athletics, women’s shot put) from the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London.

The athlete was first requested to provide a urine sample for a doping control on 5 August. She competed the next day in the women’s shot put event, where she placed first, and was asked to provide a sample straight after her competition. Both samples indicated the presence of metenolone, which is classified as anabolic agent under the 2012 Prohibited List.

Upon the recommendation of the IOC Disciplinary Commission, composed for this case of Thomas Bach (Chairman), Denis Oswald and Frank Fredericks, the IOC Executive Board decided:

I. The Athlete Ms Nadzeya Ostapchuk, Belarus, Athletics:

(i) is disqualified from the women’s shot put event, where she had placed first;

(ii) is excluded from the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London in 2012;

(iii) shall have her medal, diploma and medallist pin in the above-mentioned event withdrawn;

(iv) shall have her Olympic Identity and Accreditation Card immediately cancelled and withdrawn.

II. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence.

III. The NOC of Belarus is ordered to return to the IOC, as soon as possible, the medal, diploma and medallist pin awarded to the Athlete in relation to the above-noted event.

IV. The IOC administration is instructed to reallocate the medals, diplomas and medallist pins to the athletes who finished behind Ms Nadzeya Ostapchuk in the above-mentioned event, the first three being:

- Valerie Adams, New Zealand, first
- Evgeniia Kolodko, Russian Federation, second
- Lijiao Gong, People’s Republic of China, third

V. The NOC of Belarus and LOCOG shall ensure full implementation of the Executive Board decision.

VI. This decision shall enter into force immediately.


Under the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the 2012 London Olympic Games, testing takes place under the IOC's auspices from 16 July (date of the opening of the Olympic Village) to 12 August 2012. Within that period, the IOC systematically performs tests before and after events. After each event, the IOC systematically carries out tests on the top five finishers plus two at random. The IOC also performs out-of-competition unannounced tests. Over the course of the London Games, the IOC is expected to carry out some 5,000 tests - 3,800 urine and 1,200 blood. For more information, please consult the IOC factsheet on anti-doping.

For full details go to

http://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-withdraws-gold-medal-from-shot-put-athlete-nadzeya-ostapchuk/172684

London 2012 Olympic Games Review Part Two

Compare and contrast - looks vs gold medal



Paraguay's Leryn Franco finished 18th in the women's javelin.


This woman beat Valerie Adams to win a gold medal but has been criticised in New Zealand for her looks. Poor form!

7) Should the medal table be so weighted in favour of gold medals? This meant that we had the ridiculous situation where Australia had secured far more medals than us, but because they had less golds, they were considered inferior. We did well on various medal projections including per capita where we finished 4th, while we were 16th the overall medal table. We finished ahead of countries like Spain, Brazil, Canada and Sweden. It is crazy how some countries do better than others. Countries like Canada, South Africa and India always seem to struggle based on population alone. I guess it depends how wealthy countries are and what sports they are good at.

8) It was great seeing so many superstars in one place. Some highlights were Usain Bolt, the USA Dream Team, Federer vs Murray in the tennis final, the list goes on!

9) Is the 50km road walk the most demanding event at the Olympic Games? After watching the people collapsing once they crossed the finishing line, I would suggest so, although I still wonder why more of them aren't pulled up for cheating. Some people think it shouldn't be an Olympic sport, but I disagree. The argument is that people should be going as fast as possible to get to the finish. My argument is that in swimming there are different strokes like breaststroke which is slower than freestyle but still in the Olympics.

10) London did a great job. I think the facilities and scenery were brilliant and I think the climate agreed with our athletes more than in some other venues. There are also heaps of kiwis in London which means there were always supporters there. The London 2012 Opening and Closing ceremonies were great, but I guess the British do have plenty of famous singers from years gone by including Coldplay, The Spice Girls, George Michael, One Direction, Freddy Mercury and Monty Python. London mayor Boris Johnson was even caught dancing to the Spice Girls (below)!


11) The Olympic Games is always interesting from a geography point of view. As a demographer of some repute I find it fascinating how some countries are really poor, yet have some athletes in quite expensive sports like sailing, rowing or equestrian. Borat gave me certain pre-conceived ideas about Kazakhstan being very poor and I was surprised when they ended up in 12th spot on the medal table with seven gold medals. Maybe money from tourism associated the movie was pumped into their sports. I also find it interesting how it is always people from the same countries doing well in the same events. The African long distance runners, the USA and Central American sprinters etc. it is hard not to draw stereotypes.


Was this a drug affected world record?

12) I wonder how many more athletes will be done for doping. It seems that there were several medal winners especially in athletics and cycling who have had a history of doping and lets just say that I wouldn't be surprised if some medals were overturned. Apparently the Jamaican committee are very laid back when it comes to drug testing their own athletes and one of their top sprinters from this Olympic Games Yohan Blake was suspended for just three months for doping in 2009. Watch this space, it could take years for some Olympic athletes to get caught and I think there are plenty of others who don't get caught! Anyway, we will leave this in the hands of the professionals before further speculating!

13) Has the Olympic Games become far more sexualised and showmanship like than previous Olympics? I guess it is about the overall entertainment package, hence why you get the showponies in the Men's 100 metres.

There have been some talented athletes on display, but there seems to have been more emphasis placed on looks than ability in many cases. These probably aren't helped by skimpy uniforms in many cases which don't leave much to the imagination in both men's and women's competition. Compare and contrast the appearances and ability of Paraguayan javelin thrower Leryn Franco who finished 18th yet was far more popular with fans than Nadezhda Ostapchuk the gold medalist in the women's shotput from Belarus who defeated Valerie Adams. Surely performance is more important than looks. I would like apologise for New Zealand's negative reaction to the woman that beat our Valerie Adams for gold in the shotput.

Speaking of sexualised, each athlete was given 15 condoms for the Olympic Games. I guess when you get that many young people most of whom are in very athletic shape, there is bound to be more fireworks than the opening ceremony.

What did you think of London 2012 Olympic Games? What were your highlights or lowlights?

London 2012 Olympics Day 16 Schedule - The Final Day

London 2012 Olympics Day 16 schedule, there is only one New Zealander in action with Sam Bewley in the Men's Mountain Biking. He has already won a bronze medal on the track. Today is the final day of the Olympic Games.
Thanks to Stevo for another update
LAST DAY OF THE OLYMPICS! SAD BUT AT LEAST NOW I CAN SLEEP, HERE'S TONIGHT'S GOOD STUFF ACCORDING TO ME:
- Men's Marathon: 10pm onwards - expect the Kenyans/Ethiopians and perhaps even Ugandans to battle this out
- Men's Basketball Final: USA vs Spain @ 2.00am. Perhaps the second-best ever B-Ball squad on show here.
- Men's Mountain Biking: 12.30am. Should be some good spills hopefully!
- Men's Handball Final: Sweden vs France @ 2.00am. Handball doesn't get exposure in NZ so great chance to check out this exciting sport

- Men's Volleyball Final: Russia vs Brazil @ 12.00am. Can't believe how high these Brazilians can jump!
- Men's Water Polo Final: Croatia vs Italy @ 2.50am
- Boxing Finals: 12.30 - 2.30am
- Closing Ceremony: 8.00 - 11.00am

http://www.olympic.org.nz/london-2012/schedule

London 2012 Olympic Games Review Part One

The London 2012 Olympic Games is over and I need to catch up on sleep and my social life. Here are my thoughts on them from a New Zealand sports fan's perspective.

1) I found this games far more addictive than previous Olympic Games. It is probably because of the loads of extra channels available on Sky Sport which made viewing New Zealanders in action difficult at times because of the various options. Channel surfing should become an Olympic sport. We were no longer being spoon-fed whatever the television companies wanted to show us and could watch a plethora of different sports. There was a downside, as we had to put up with sometimes terrible commentary and coverage focussed on athletes from other countries which sometimes became ridiculous when you wanted to know how the kiwi in that event was going. Rowing and cycling were bad for this. I stayed up until 2am to watch the men's cycling time trial featuring Jack Bauer, but we hardly saw him. Sometimes the rowers in lane six were missed off.

The Olympics being held in summer in the Northern Hemisphere means that they are in the middle of winter in New Zealand making them a great excuse to stay home. We were out at the pub one night watching the rugby and then everyone went home to watch the Olympic Games. It is a great day when it is widely acceptable to go home and watch the Olympic Games, even from people who aren't sports nuts like me. The wide range of accessible sports available on television and online meant there was always something of interest to everyone.

The influence of social media and live streaming online has also made the action widely accessible. People are always commenting on Facebook or tweeting on Twitter about the Olympic Games. There were even athletes kicked out of the Olympics for their inappropriate tweets.

Here are all of the New Zealand medalists at the London 2012 Olympic Games with the exception of the equestrian team.

2) In general, New Zealand did well at the London 2012 Olympics. We finished with five golds, three silver and five bronze exceeding most predictions with 13 medals and making me some dosh at the TAB. This was the most medals that New Zealand has achieved equal with the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Five golds is our most golds since Los Angeles in 1984 where we got eight gold medals. We finished in xx position on the medal table. We got five gold medals and a common occurence is that we got them all on the water. All of our medals except the Valerie Adams silver were achieved while sitting down. Our best sport was rowing, but we got some medals in track cycling and sailing which were predicted, but great to get. I loved some of our performances which exceeded expectations like the gold for Lisa Carrington, the equestrian bronze, cyclist Simon Van Velthooven and the come from behind win by Southland's Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan. You felt great for Mahe Drysdale after what happened in Beijing.

3) I think New Zealand Olympic Committee needs a shake up. There were obviously some administrative mistakes which lead to some athletes not even being entered into their events until the last minute. Chef de Mission Dave Currie is leaving his post, and this is probably for the best. There were also several mistakes made in various other sports like the Korean fencer, the British rowers with the dodgy seat were a bit lucky in my opinion, the German hammer thrower with the throw which wasn't measured by the electronic devices and what about the format of badminton which saw teams throwing matches to avoid the top seeds in the next round? I thought the Olympic Games are the ultimate in professionalism, yet there were so many stuff ups. Whatever happened to the guy who threw a bottle at Usain Bolt before the start of the 100 metres and was beaten up by a Dutch women's judo bronze medal winner? Are we just more aware of them because of the increase in media exposure and social media outrage?


The bottle thrown from the grandstand before the start of the men's 100 metres.

4) Some sports are easier to win medals in than others and this makes you wonder why? Athletics, cycling and swimming are far more global sports than others. Why is it that there are the same number of medals available in the men's cycling road race with nearly 150 riders compared with other sports where there are only 15 athletes entered? That is why Jack Bauer's 10th in the men's cycling road race for me is actually just as good as some of the medal winning performances. How many people do equestrian, canoeing or the 10km women's swim compared with the number of runners, cyclists and swimmers? That is why Nick Willis getting ninth in the 1500 metres is still not a bad effort when you consider that countries can have more than one entrant, not like rowing or kayaking.

5) Expectations are also important. The New Zealand public was so convinced that Valerie Adams and Nick Willis were going to win their events through the media anything less was considered a disappointment. Adams' silver was considered a failure yet the equestrian bronze wasn't? That is stupid, given how global track and field is. We also forget that in sport it often boils down to performing on the day. These guys tried their best to win, but sometimes things just don't click and that is life!

6) There are always debates about which sports should be included in the Olympic Games. I was initially against the likes of tennis and football being in the Olympic Games, but I don't actually mind them anymore. Same with synchronised swimming and handball. I do think that football is an odd one because the Olympic Games needs football because it is so popular worldwide and draws massives crowds at the games. It just seems weird that it is under 23 with three overage players in the mens, so it doesn't overshadow the FIFA World Cup. I think that some sports like cycling, rowing and swimming need to cut back on the number of categories within their sport. Whoever wins the football for example gets one gold medal for men and if they are lucky, a medal in the women's event. If you dominate swimming you can get a Michael Phelps or Mark Spitz win a bucketload of golds on their own, let alone relays, different stroke types and distances. I am a bit sceptical of golf at the Olympic Games, but I think there is a place for rugby sevens because of the tournament nature of it. The number of sports are capped at 28, so it is of little surprise in some ways that we are doing better these days, because there are more sports than there were pre 2000. What sports do you think should be included or excluded going forward? What about including the tug-of-war, dodgeball or ballroom dancing?

Stay tuned for London 2012 Olympic Games Review Part Two, what did you think of London 2012 Olympics?

London 2012 Olympics Day 14 New Zealand Schedule

London 2012 Olympic Games Schedule Day 14 featuring New Zealanders. New Zealand's best medal chance is with Lisa Carrington in the canoe/kayak at 21:14. She qualified for the final with the top time. Stuart Farquhar is also a shot at a medal.


20:00 NZ



Sport: AthleticsEvent: 50km Walk - Men

Phase: Men50km Race Walk

Who: Quentin Rew



21:14 NZ



Sport: Canoe/Kayak - FlatwaterEvent: K1 - 200m - Women

Phase: Final A

Who: Lisa Carrington



23:30 NZ



Sport: Cycling - MTBEvent: Cross Country - Women

Phase:

Who: Karen Hanlen



06:20 NZ



Sport: AthleticsEvent: Javelin Throw - Men

Phase: Final

Who: Stuart Farquhar

For New Zealanders in a full schedule go to

http://www.olympic.org.nz/london-2012/schedule/2012-08-11

New Zealand Win Fourth Gold Medal in Women's 470 Sailing

New Zealand has claimed their fourth Olympic gold medal at the London Olympic Games with the women's 470 sailing crew leading their medal race in Weymouth. The crew of Olivia Powrie and Jo Aleh entered the race tied on points with the crew from Great Britain and needed only to finish ahead of the crew from the Olympic host country to claim gold.

They chose the correct side to approach the first mark from unlike GBR (Great Britain) who went the other way and their attempts to shift ways was blocked by the good old Aussies.

Awesome work girls. It is our first sailing gold by women outside of Barbara Kendall's boardsailing gold in Barcelona 1992.

New Zealand now has 4 Golds, 2 silvers and 5 bronze medals.

GBR finished 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind the kiwis. Well done to them too!

London 2012 Olympics - Day 14 Schedule How Many Medals Will New Zealand Get Tonight?

London 2012 Olympics Day 14 sees several chances for New Zealand to add to their medal tally. It could be a late Friday night for many New Zealand sports fans with our best medal chances coming from the Black Sticks in the bronze medal match, we have at least a silver, hopefully better in the medal race for the Women's 470 sailing and our two BMX racers Sarah Walker and Marc Willers ensure a late night in front of the box. If you stay up to watch the hockey and BMX final, then it will be almost 4am until you get to bed.

I am picking we win three medals overnight to take us to our highest equal amount of medals in one Olympic Games the same as Seoul 1988, and will qualify tonight for the final of the women's K1 200 kayaking which is on Saturday night. Hopefully we get at least one gold medal.

New Zealand London 2012 Olympics Schedule begins at 9:19am.

Hockey

2.30am Women's hockey bronze medal match (Black Sticks v GB)

Taekwondo

1.15am Men's U80kg (Vaughan Scott)

Canoeing

9.19pm Women's K1 200m heats (Lisa Carrington)

10.51pm Women's K1 200m semi-finals

Sailing

11pm Men's 470 - medal race (Paul Snow Hansen, Jason Saunders)

12am Women's 470 - medal race (Jo Aleh, Olivia Powrie).

Cycling - BMX

2am Women's semi-finals (Sarah Walker)

2.08am Men's semi-finals (Marc Willers)

3.30am Women's final

3.40am Men's final

http://tvnz.co.nz/olympics-2012-nz-team/day-13-results-14-schedule-5016749

The Apple iTit - Apple Does It Again!

Apple does it again with the development of the Apple iTit. It is a breast implant that can store and play music. The iTit will cost from $499 to $699, depending on cup and speaker size. This is considered a major social breakthrough because women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them. Haha, this is brilliant! I assume it is a joke!

How Anyone Can Make It To The Olympic Games

With the London 2012 Olympic Games capturing the nation and hearing from athletes at the games how amazing the experience is, leaves me wondering how I can make the Olympic Games as an athlete. Obviously time isn't on my side since I am over thirty years old these days. What do you think is my best sporting opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games? I am a good club player in sports like football, tennis and volleyball, but would never be good enough to play these at the Olympics. I am also a good touch player, but it isn't an Olympic sport. I have great handling skills and an astute mind, but limited pace, balance and agility.

Here are some methods that could allow most people to compete at an Olympic Games if things go their way.

1) Play an existing Olympic Games sport which is obscure in your country and hope that you become one of the best in your country and your country decide to select you. The problem is that New Zealand has strict standards and expect their athletes to have a shot at finishing in the top 16 in something but I am thinking that sports like archery, shooting, fencing, gymnastics or table tennis are your best shot. You could even plead your case for obscure events in existing sports like the 10km swim or canoeing C1 and C2 events where you have one bent knee. It would also help if your sport was something you could train at by doing heaps rather than relying on much natural talent, but with some of these there are only about 20 competitors, so you could almost prove your case of a top 16 finish no matter how bad you are. Modern pentathlon is another one.

2) Move countries and play a sport which New Zealand are quite strong in but you are only averagely ranked and go to another worse ranked country hoping they qualify. You would have to live there a while to be eligible. This is probably ideal in sports that New Zealand are good at. If you are an average rugby sevens player, you could make it to the Olympics in Rio playing sevens for a country which is likely to qualify. Sailing is another possibility.

I have been tempted in order to play international football to go to American Samoa after they lost 31-0 to Australia in 2001 or when I see teams getting thrashed in touch overseas, I wonder if there would be a future playing for them. Of course, it needs to be a country that is good enough to qualify, but with not too much depth and it needs to be an Olympic sport.

3) Get really good at a sport in your own country or overseas and lobby to get it included in the Olympics. I can think of plenty of sports that could be included in the Olympic Games at a pinch that are merely hobbies. There are heaps of fringe sports like lawn bowls, squash, ten pin bowling, ballroom dancing, aerobics, pool, snooker, billiards, darts, mini golf or even petanque. It helps if this sport can be perfected through practice. I have played heaps of touch, but it isn't at the Olympic Games. Maybe I need a hybrid sport like real tennis. I have an astute mind, so wonder if I should try to get draughts, Quelf? or 500 included as an Olympic sport.

4) Perform in a sport that you can compete in until an old age. This gives you the opportunity to have a long career at the Olympics and means that it is probably doesn't matter if you don't have speed or too much stamina. One of the Japanese equestrian riders was 71 years old. Other sports like shooting or archery are other good options.

5) Play in a sport which don't require you to be especially skilled or reliant on your physical ability. I am thinking of a rowing coxswain, so it helps to be small for that one.

6) There are some other more extreme options like bribery of officials, hurting everyone involved in a specific sport so you are the last man standing, getting a sex change to help your chances of getting selected, or even faking a disability to play at the Paralympic Games, although after the Spanish volleyball team they are probably very strict on testing.

What is the best way for you to make the 2016 Rio Olympic Games? I am thinking I should take up fencing, shooting or archery even though I am a bit weary of people who hang out at gun clubs! Comment on this and I will try to let you know what the best way is for you to make the Olympic Games.

London 2012 Olympics - Day 13 Schedule New Zealanders In Action and Other Events

The London 2012 Olympic Games schedule for Day 13 and New Zealand's main shots at medals come in the sailing and canoeing/kayaking. Our crews involved in Day 13 action are only outside chances for medals, making Day 13 a quietish one for New Zealand fans. We still have a few more realistic shots at medals, but they aren't until Day 14.

ONLY 4 DAYS TO GO!!! Here's what's happening tonight:
- Men's Decathlon continues and culminates: Brent Newdick doing OK but won't medal - starts at 8.00pm
- Taekwondo: Logan Campbell & Robin Cheong competing at 8.45pm and 10.00pm respectively in their Round of 16's
- Kayaking: Lisa Carrington/Erin Taylor in the final of the K2 500 at around 9.40pm. Outside medal chance but I'd pick 5th here
- Sailing: Men's 470 - possible but unlikely chance of medalling in the medal race at 12.00am. Currently lie 5th, will finish 4th I reckon
- Men's BMX: Quarter-Finals featuring Willers & Pickard at around 2.00am
- Women's Diving: The impressive women's 10m event has it's final at 6.00am
- Women's Football Gold Medal Match between USA & Japan @ 6.45am
- Women's Water-Polo Gold Medal Match between USA & Spain @ 7.00am
- Men's 800m Final @ 7.00am
- Men's 200m Final @ 7.55am (Bolt 1st, Blake 2nd)
- Men's Beach Volleyball Final: 8.00am.

http://www.olympic.org.nz/london-2012/schedule

ALF The Movie - I Can't Wait!

Popular 1980s television show ALF is making a comeback in the form of a movie. This could show my age, but ALF was one of my favourite television shows growing up. I used to love ALF, he was a bit like the recently released Ted in many ways. It will be interesting to see if ALF turns into a kids movie or more of an adults type movie?




I remember in one episode, ALF wore a zipper to a dress up party. He was always making wisecracks at Willie Tanner's expense and was always a friend to Brian Tanner. He always loved trying to eat Lucky the cat. There have been some other television shows with vaguely similar scenarios like American Dad with Roger the secret alien living in the house. For some reason there is something unique about housing an alien as a pet. I hope this movie is done well. I wonder if ALF will be done using a puppeteer, small actor or all computer generated?

Hide your cats, furry extraterrestrial ALF is set to make a return.

Sony Pictures Animation has acquired the rights to the 1980s sitcom and will bring the lovable Alien Life Form (known as ALF) to the big screen in a hybrid CG/live action feature, Hollywood Reporter posted today.

On the helm will be The Smurfs producer Jordan Kerner together with the show's original creators Tom Patchett and puppeteer Paul Fusco.

ALF, whose actual name is Gordon Shumway, made his first appearance on TV screens in 1986. The furry alien creature followed an amateur radio signal after his home planet Melmac was destroyed and ended up crashing down at the suburban home of the Tanner family. As he had nowhere to go, the family took him in and had to consequently hide him from government forces.

The show aired four seasons and 102 episodes from 1986-90. Fusco voiced the title character on the show and is expected to reprise his role for the movie. Unlike in the TV series, where ALF was portrayed by a puppet, the alien will be animated in the movie - similar to the big screen adaptation of Garfield.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/7447082/ALF-movie-in-the-making

New Zealand Olympic London 2012 Schedule - Day 12

Here is the schedule of New Zealanders involved in Day 12 of the London Olympics 2012.

Our main medal chances lie in events which don't have the medal round tonight with the New Zealand women's hockey team playing their semi-final against Netherlands. A win would guarantee them a silver medal, but they are definitely underdogs in this match. We have one guaranteed silver in the yachting overnight and one crucial round in the women's 470 where they are leading, but it isn't the medal race tonight. I think javelin thrower Stuart Farquhar, canoeists Steven Ferguson and Darryl Fitzgerald and at least one of our BMX riders have shots at medals, but are not necessarily favourites.

I think we will only get the one silver tonight, but that will take us up to 10 medals and break the one hundred total medals for New Zealand in all Olympic Games.

Kiwis in action on day 12 of the Olympics in London, Wednesday/Thursday August 8/9 (NZT):

Athletics

Men's decathlon 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m (Brent Newdick)

6:05am Men's javelin qualifying (Stuart Farquhar)

6:45am Women's 1500m semi-final (Lucy Van Dalen)

Canoeing

9:16pm K2 1000m final (Steven Ferguson, Darryl Fitzgerald)

Sailing

11pm Women's 470 (Jo Aleh, Olivia Powrie).

12am Men's 49er - medal race (Peter Burling, Blair Tuke)

Cycling - BMX

2am Seeding run - women (Sarah Walker)

2:40am Seeding run - men (Marc Willers, Luke Pickard)

Hockey

2:30am NZ women v Netherlands

http://tvnz.co.nz/olympics-2012-nz-team/day-11-results-12-schedule-5012720

Stephen Jones Slams New Zealand's Olympic Performance

Welsh rugby journalist of little repute, Stephen Jones is at it again. He has bagged our Olympic performance which has seen us do well for a nation of four million. Checkout the article from Stuff below.

Jones is hanging out the fishing reel to pull us in with his bait, but ironically I do see some sense in what he says. I think we have done well in this Olympics, but I do think we should always strive to do even better in accordance with the Olympic motto of "faster,higher,stronger". I would love to see a day where we get ten gold medals, but it is difficult to know how realistic this is. I think we have done well, but should always seek to improve.

I also think that love the glass empty articles or hate them, if people get angry, they read an article and comment. This is ironic since that is what I am relying on here too. But New Zealanders as the underdogs or the little brother do bite back when provoked and Stephen Jones is relying on this. We get as defensive about our sporting performances as Southlanders get about their weather.

Speaking of irony Stephen Jones himself comes from Wales of population 3 million who have only won three medals so far and only have 30 athletes at the Games, but that doesn't stop Stephen Jones from shooting from the hip. The only reason Stephen Jones writes this rubbish is because he knows New Zealanders will actually stand up and be counted and respond by reading his articles and commenting. This plonker is one of the glass half empty brigade along with Doug Golightly, Mark Reason and if Mark Watson isn't careful, he will join this dream team of clowns who see the only way getting people to read their articles is to slam other people.
This is ironic given that I have just slammed them and that I am increasing his publicity by writing about him.

Anyway, New Zealand has nine medals and our next one will be one hundred medals at Olympic Games. This will probably be in the sailing. Stephen Jones will be turning a blind eye to that no doubt. He will be hiding under the Team GB banner as host nation and pondering what Wales must do to finish above New Zealand at the next Commonwealth Games.

Stephen Jones, the Welsh rugby journalist who has long bagged the All Blacks, has now turned his attention to the New Zealand Olympic team, labelling their performance in London "a joke".

Jones took to Twitter to voice his opinion on New Zealand's performance, laughing off our nine medals, including three golds, as a "non-performance".

"NZ classic! NZ paper claims that since they have low population they are per capita havin great Games," he tweeted. "So ultimate loser excuse found!"

"That is the all time, classic, bleeding heart rubbish statistic of the terminal loser," he went on to say.

Never mind that the medal tally by population was originally published by UK paper The Guardian. As of the last update, New Zealand were fourth and Great Britain were 12th.

"By NZ's desperate excuse standards of low population I make Isle of Muck (the smallest island in the Small Isles of Scotland) rugby champions of the World".

Even as the criticism for Jones' anti-New Zealand tirade began to roll in, the Welshman wasn't finished.

"Your team is a total joke. So much for the land of the great outdoors. Gives real sports nations a laugh though."

Jones, who said Wayne Barnes had given one of the great refereeing displays in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final between France and the All Blacks, was positively hostile when engaged by Kiwi defenders.

When one tweeter replied to Jones with: "Ah, vitriol, the last retort of the man with no grace or intelligent argument", all the Welshman could muster was "you should know Dickhead". Another challenger got "who asked you Twerp?".

Jones had a very different attitude towards Australia though, who until this morning were behind New Zealand on the official medal tally.

He lauded Sally Pearson's 100m hurdles win, giving her credit for performing under immense pressure.

Pearson, Australia's surest hope for gold, has been consistently beating her opponents by metres over the last year but had to rely on a photo finish this morning.

There was no mention of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray, who like Pearson have dominated their sport yet produced an emphatic row to win gold in the men's pair.

He retweeted one post that said: "I thought they were meant to be good at sailing, any medals in that?", obviously unaware New Zealand had wrapped up a silver in the men's 49er and our duo of Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie are in the gold medal spot in the women's 470.

He even had a smarmy response when someone raised the point that Wales doesn't compete at the Olympics as an independent country, but under the banner of Great Britain, saying "btw your 'athlete' in the Triathlon just finished", approximately 10 hours after the men's triathlon concluded.

Jones has long been critical of the All Blacks, in 2010 he said the haka was an "instrument of the worst kind of sporting arrogance", and he didn't miss a chance to criticise the number of players from the Pacific Islands who choose to play for New Zealand.

This might be a case of the pot calling the kettle black however, with a British cyclist earlier this week admitting to crashing on purpose to get a restart. It was later claimed the cyclist's comments had been lost in translation...because he was German.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/7437138/Stephen-Jones-is-an-Olympic-Kiwi-baiting-champ

Google Olympic Hurdles Doodle - What Is Your Best Time?

I love Google's Olympic themed search engine headings at the moment. I find the latest Google hurdles doodle addictive. What is your best time? Mine is only 15 seconds, but I could probably improve with training!


https://www.google.com/doodles/hurdles-2012

New Zealand Olympic Schedule Day 11 London 2012

Here is the New Zealand Olympic Schedule for London 2012 Day 11. The New Zealanders start at 9pm and we have genuine medal chances in the track cycling, canoeing, sailing and Nick Willis in the Men's 1500 metres final tomorrow morning. I think NZ will win three medals overnight.



21:00 NZ



Sport: Cycling - TrackEvent: Keirin - Men

Phase: First Round Heat 1

Who: Simon van Velthooven



21:07 NZ



Sport: Canoe/Kayak - FlatwaterEvent: K-1 - 500m - Women

Phase: Heat 1

Who: Teneale Hatton



21:19 NZ



Sport: Cycling - TrackEvent: Omnium - Women

Phase: 3km Individual Pursuit

Who: Joanne Kiesanowski



21:49 NZ



Sport: Canoe/Kayak - FlatwaterEvent: K-2 - 500m - Women

Phase: Heat 3

Who: Lisa Carrington, Erin Taylor



22:30 NZ



Sport: TriathlonEvent: Individual - Men

Phase: Final

Who: Ryan Sissons, Bevan Docherty, Kris Gemmell



23:00 NZ



Sport: Sailing Event: 470 - Men

Phase: Race 09

Who: Jason Saunders, Paul Snow-Hansen



23:10 NZ



Sport: Sailing Event: 470 - Women

Phase: Race 07

Who: Jo Aleh, Polly Powrie



00:00 NZ



Sport: Sailing Event: RS:X Windsurfer - Men

Phase: Medal Race

Who: JP Tobin



00:30 NZ



Sport: Sailing Event: 470 - Men

Phase: Race 10

Who: Jason Saunders, Paul Snow-Hansen



00:40 NZ



Sport: Sailing Event: 470 - Women

Phase: Race 08

Who: Jo Aleh, Polly Powrie



03:07 NZ



Sport: Cycling - TrackEvent: Omnium - Women

Phase: 10km Scratch Race

Who: Joanne Kiesanowski



03:53 NZ



Sport: Cycling - TrackEvent: Omnium - Women

Phase: 500m Time Trial

Who: Joanne Kiesanowski



08:15 NZ



Sport: AthleticsEvent: 1500m - Men

Phase: Final

Who: Nick Willis



08:15 NZ



Sport: HockeyEvent: Hockey - Men

Phase: Pool MB Match M30

Who: Ryan Archibald, Phil Burrows, Dean Couzins, Blair Hopping, Kyle Pontifex, Simon Child, Shea McAleese, Richard Petherick, Bradley Shaw, Steve Edwards, Nick Haig, Andy Hayward, Blair Hilton, Stephen Jenness, Nick Wilson, Hugo Inglis


http://www.olympic.org.nz/london-2012/schedule/2012-08-07