New Zealand has struck gold in the form of double scullers Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan at the 2012 London Olympics.

The defending world champions won the title after flying for the last half of the race to break the backs of their competitors at Eton Dorney.

Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan win gold at the London 2012 Olympics.

The pair became New Zealand's seventh Olympic rowing gold medallists, and the country's first champions in the double scull.

Mahe Drysdale will attempt to build on that momentum tonight in the final of the men's single sculls.

The former Tauranga Boys' College student will start among the favourites in a field devoid of two-time reigning Olympic champion Olaf Tufte, who faded badly to finish last as Mahe pulled away from the field in their semfinal.

Canoeing:

Luuka Jones was disappointed in failing to qualify for the women's K1 slalom kayaking final after sneaking into the semi-finals earlier in the week.

The 23-year-old was the 15th and last qualifier for the semis but had high hopes of placing in the top ten and advancing to the final.

She started well, but time penalties and a disappointing performance on the second half of the course led to a 14th placed finish.

"It was just quite disappointing, I didn't really represent myself very well," says Jones.

"I went out there with hope of putting down a fast time and making the final but it didn't really happen.

Sailing:

Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders are positioned well in the men's 470 class after the first day of racing.

The 21-year-olds are ranked fourth after finishing eighth and third respectively in the first two, of ten, races.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke couldn't repeat their form of the previous day in the men's 49er class – but still sit in bronze medal position halfway through the racing after finishes of ninth and 11th in their seventh and eighth races of the event.

Jason Saunders and Paul Snow Hansen compete in the Men's 470 class.

Women's Windsurfer (RSX) event in The London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition. Photo: onEdition.

Hockey:

The unbeaten women's hockey team went down to Argentina 2-1early in their third match in the tournament this morning.

The men's hockey team face a huge test for the medal credentials in the form of the Netherlands at 9.45pm tonight.