Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Brothers

The medal race that never was

by Bob Fisher on 16 Aug 2008
Qingdao Olympic Regatta 2008. Start of the Finn Medal Race - almost. Guy Nowell http://www.guynowell.com

That was the goof that was – the first ever medal race in the Olympic regatta, a competition finale foisted on sailors by the IOC, who in tune were driven by the Great God Television, which produced nothing the viewing public, outside of committed sailors, would have understood or appreciated. And all because the wind failed to oblige.

The lack of wind was a known factor seven years ago when Qingdao was chosen as the site for this Olympic regatta, much to the horror of those who read the history of the wind in Fushan Bay at this time of the year.

Even when the average breeze figures were artificially enhanced by choosing to include gathering points outside the area, they were still too low for anyone but an eternal optimist to be content. But the City of Qingdao had demanded the right to hold the regatta and, more importantly, was prepared to pay for the right.

On Saturday August 16th 2008, in accordance with the wishes of the IOC, the medal races for the Finns and Ynglings were scheduled to be held just off the harbour wall at Qingdao. It proved to be a disastrous decision, but the markers had been laid down by those who have little or no idea about yacht racing. Anyone would have known that with the onset of a sea-breeze, such wind along a foreshore with a backdrop of tall buildings, the wind would be fickle in the extreme.

One felt for the best race officer in the world, Peter Reggio, aka Luigi, who had the unenviable task of trying to run these races. A northerly, at the scheduled starting time dropped away and was replaced by an unstable south-easterly and Luigi would have known that there was every chance that this would fizzle out. He finally got the ten-boat fleet away two and a half hours after the scheduled time.

That race was to be abandoned before the tail-enders had passed through the leeward gate – a wise decision – and the competitors were forced to hang around until four hours after the scheduled start before racing was finally abandoned for the day. The helicopters, for the television cameras, had been up and down several times and the seats in the 'bleachers' were hardly filled. Not a day for the punters or one that did anything to raise public perception of the sport.

For the cognoscenti what did take place for twenty minutes after the race had started was fascinating. It was the stuff of high drama. It was known that the only threat to a gold medal for Ben Ainslie was if Zach Railey were to win and the British sailor was last. Therefore Ainslie took the matter into his own hands by latching on to the American in the pre-start and then sitting on him firmly throughout the first beat.

It was grand theatre. Merciless and savage, it was the act of a man plainly saying: 'You are not going to win MY gold medal!' While the sailors would appreciate the finer points of this, the average viewer, appalled by the lack of action would have already switched off.

It brooks the question: 'Why do we have to sail first class events on fourth class tracks?' And why is sailing so beholden to television that it needs medal races in the first place. It managed to define its champions for many years without this artificial finale.

Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastAllen Dynamic 40 Footer

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted today at 10:36 am
The Long Laser Lunch – a reunion to remember
Sailors from every state reunited over lunch like it was just another regatta weekend. Last month 93 Laser sailors from across the country gathered at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for what became a truly unforgettable reunion.
Posted today at 10:19 am
Offshore at 16
Will Farnell, the ORCV's Youth Sailor of the Year 2025 The ORCV is proud to announce Will Farnell as the recipient of the 2025 Youth Sailor of the Year award—a young sailor whose love for the sea runs generations deep and whose commitment to the sport has already made waves far beyond his years.
Posted today at 8:52 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Queensland Yachting Survey 2025 Feedback
The results are in, gathering valuable insights directly from the sailing community Following this year's Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, a group of passionate and experienced individuals from the sailing community gathered to discuss the current state of yachting in Queensland.
Posted today at 5:18 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water.
Posted on 10 Jul