Day 13 Roundup: Americans victorious in volleyball

In women's volleyball, the United States reached their first final in 24 years with a stylish victory over three-time Olympic champion Cuba.

The Americans, coached by Chinese legendary player Lang Ping needed just 67 minutes to beat Cuba 25-20, 25-16, 25-17. They will face the winner of the other semifinal between China and Brazil.

Lang Ping (C), head coach of the U.S. team, explains tactics to her players during women's volleyball semifinal match between the U.S. and Cuba at Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. The U.S. beat Cuba 3-0. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

"I thought the game would be more difficult. Previously, we've never played less than three sets," said Lang Ping, who helped China defeat the U.S. in the final at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"I think the players did a fantastic job; sitting on the bench I didn't have any worries."

Britain grabbed its fourth sailing gold medal and a record-breaking sixth in total when Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson conquered rough conditions to win the star class, while the title in the tornado class went to Spanish duo Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz.

The spotlight will be back to athletics competitions in the evening, with another showdown between Jamaican and U.S. sprinters looming at the Bird's Nest stadium.

After Usain Bolt stunned a field of American sprinters to make a rare golden double in men's 100m and 200m, the Jamaican trio of Veronica Campbell-Brown, Kerron Stewart, Sherone Simpson are hoping to match the feat by winning the 200m to add to the 100m title. The United States also has three representatives in the 200m dash - Allyson Felix, Marshevet Hooker, Muna Lee.

As China's defending champion Liu Xiang has pulled out of the 110m hurdles race, Cuban world record-holder Dayron Robles is heavily favored to win the title Thursday night.

There are 16 other medal events scheduled for Thursday, with golds being awarded in athletics, diving, taekwondo, wrestling, water polo, softball.

The semifinals and finals of the omen's and men's BMX biking events were postponed until Friday.

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