Editorial- The best day at Qingdao?

by . on 19 Aug 2008 Welcome to Sail-World.Com's Olympic newsletter for Day 10 of the 2008 Olympic Sailing Regatta.

Today it was hard to believe that this was the Qingdao of the no wind repute. By the reckoning of some, today had the best sailing conditions of the Olympic regatta. Certainly the 8-10kts offshore breeze was fairly typical of most sailing venues in the world. And, looking up the track, one could be excused for wondering why Qingdao had been painted so much into the light weather corner.

However looks can be deceiving, and while above the surface, it was a case of all things bright and beautiful, below, there were some very strong tidal flows, and it is these which caused some of the topsy turvey results amongst the recognised solid breeze sailors.

Today we were treated to the sight of Star sailors down the side and hiking hard. Tornado sailors on twin wires. And RS:X windsurfers sailing without pumping overly much.

Ashore there were three medal ceremonies for the 470 Mens and Womens events - with Australian being presented with two Gold medals.

The first came in the Men, where Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page had started the medal race in an unassailable points lead, only being required to start in the Medal race to win the Gold Medal. This they achieved with ease, winning the Medal Race.

The Australian Womens crew of Elise Rechici and Tessa Parkinson started in almost the same position as the Men going into the Medal Race, except for one point’s combination which would have relegated them to silver.

Following yesterday's Medal Race in the 49er, The Olympic Jury announced their decision in the case of the two protests lodged against Denmark, for a boat substitution. Billed by those who saw it as one of the great Olympic races of all time, the Danes capsized and damaged their own boat before the start, returned to shore, borrowed the Croatian boat and made the cut-off for starting by just three seconds.

Taking full advantage of the carnage caused by the 20 plus knot winds, and confused sea state, the Danes finished in 7th place - provisionally enough to take the Gold medal by three points. They later obtained permission from the Measurer for the substitution of equipment, which was given sanction by the Olympic Jury. However the decision took many by surprise, given that the equipment substitution covered the replacement of a whole boat.

The medals were awarded in the 49er class late this afternoon, followed by the lodging of two applications for redress by the silver medallists, Spain and the fourth placegetter, Italy. These are being heard at present.

In terms of the Sailing Medal table, this event is being dominated by Britain and Australia. The British have two Gold medals and a silver from the five events completed. Australia have two Gold medals. Netherlands is third overall with two silver medals and in the 470 Womens and Yngling.

New Zealand boat builder www.mackayboats.com!Mackay_Boats, has also achieved the distinction of building three of the Gold Medal winners – the two Australian sailed 470’s and the Danish 49er.

Tomorrow, wind permitting, there will be the Medal Race in the Laser and Laser Radial classes. Regular racing will continue in the Mens and Womens RS:X windsurfer classes and the Star and Tornado.

Good Sailing!

Richard Gladwell
Sail-World Olympic Editor

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