Jorgensen Moves to Semifinals in Kayak

Steve Jorgensen of San Diego finished fourth in a first-round heat of the men’s 500-meter solo kayak today to advance to the semifinals in Penrith, Australia.

Jorgensen is also a member of the K-4 team, the best U.S. hope for a medal.

Meanwhile, Kathy Colin did double duty, advancing in the women’s solo kayak event and the K-2 with Tamara Jenkins. Jordan Malloch wasn’t as successful, finishing last in his 500-meter canoe race.

U.S. flagbearer Cliff Meidl and Phillipe Boccara were eliminated in the two-man, 1,000-meter kayak event with the slowest time of the 18 entries.

Angel Perez, the former Cuban Olympian who won a legal battle to represent the U.S., helped guide his four-man squad into the finals with a third-place finish in their 1,000-meter heat.

The big news was defending champion Martin Doktor of the Czech Republic getting disqualified from the men’s C-1 500 for drifting too close to a competitor.

Birgit Fischer was more successful in her quest to become Germany’s top gold medalist, advancing to her second final in as many days. Fischer has eight medals, five of them gold. A sixth would tie her nation’s record.

EQUESTRIAN: A clutch performance on the last ride of the day gave the U.S. a bronze medal in team dressage.

Christine Traurig of Carlsbad, riding Etienne, edged the U.S. past Denmark.

The U.S. team finished with 5,166 points, 17 ahead of Denmark.

Germany won the gold with 5,632 points and the Netherlands took silver with 5,579.

TAEKWONDO: After making the Olympics through the generosity of her best friend, Kay Poe of Houston was upset in her first round flyweight match, 4-3, by Hanne Hoegh Poulsen of Denmark.

Poe, who earned her spot despite an injury when her best friend Esther Kim forfeited a match at the U.S. trials, could still win a bronze medal under the rules.