Powell pulls out all the stops to reach final

STACIE POWELL booked her place in the semi final of the women's 10m individual platform event after finishing 14^th in qualifying yesterday.

The 22-year-old Southampton Diving Club recovered from a disastrous start to move from 28^th to 14^th and join the 18-strong contingent in today's second stage.

"I did not have a great start to that prelim but I kept my head and clawed my way back through the rounds to show my mental toughness," Powell said.

"Diving last is not great but after a shaky start I got back in control and earned myself another session tomorrow. For us both to make the final is fantastic and it will only take a few points to take the next step and reach the final."

Powell suffered from a nervous start as she missed her first round dive to score 4s and 5s but showed her strength to take to the boards for her second round and score 7s and 8s.

The former European Junior bronze and silver medallist then capitalised on the mistakes of others and qualified with a total of 313.90 points.

Fellow Brit, Tonia Couch also qualified after finishing the competition in 12^th spot with a score of 320.40.

Couch said: "I am really happy with myself and that top 12 finish. If I can manage the same again tomorrow I will make it into the final.

"I was diving with an injured thumb, I bent it back last year and three days ago it flared up again. But I knew I had to dive through the pain."

"It is great that we are both through to the final. This performance has really boosted my confidence and I think I can use that to my benefit tomorrow."

MATTHEW DAVIS in Beijing