Lasers Begin Whilst 470s Lead Aussie Charge On Day Four In Qingdao

[Source: ISAF] Australia holds the overall lead in three events after a star showing from its 470 sailors on day four of racing at the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition in Qingdao.

The Men’s and Women’s One Person Dinghy events joined the show on Fushan Bay today, with both the Laser (Men) and Laser Radial (Women) fleets completing their first two races. The windsurfers in the RS:X fleet and 470 two person dinghies also completed races 3 and 4 of their Opening Series with China’s Jian YIN continuing to lead the way in the Women’s Windsurfer event. The Finn, Yngling and 49er fleets all had a day off the water, giving them the opportunity to recover and prepare for their return to the racing area tomorrow.

Jian Yin keeps sweeping the women's windsurfer event. Qingdao, 12 August 2008. Photo copyright Juerg Kaufmann

The light wind conditions continued in Qingdao today and racing was particularly tricky for the Lasers and Laser Radials on course area A with some big upsets amongst the pre-regatta favourites. New Zealand’s Andrew MURDOCH leads the Laser fleet after a second place and a fifth today whilst back-to-back World Champion and world #1 Tom SLINGSBY (AUS) languishes down in 23rd overall. In contrast, Laser Radial world #1 Anna TUNNICLIFFE (USA) leads the women’s fleet with consistent 4, 5 scores. China’s 2006 World Champion Lijia XU got her campaign off to a mixed start, finishing 24th in the first race but recovering to third in the second.

Once again there was no stopping the host nation in the Women’s RS:X fleet, as YIN extended her overall lead with a first and a third. Shahar ZUBARI of Israel posted identical scores to consolidate his lead of the men’s fleet.

Triple World Champions Nathan WILMOT and Malcolm PAGE have taken the lead in the Men’s 470 fleet with consistent 3, 3 scores today. Their team mates Elise RECHICHI and Tessa PARKINSON fared even better in the women’s fleet with a fourth place and a win putting them top.

Part of the 470 Men's fleet. Qingdao, 12 August 2008. Photo copyright Juerg Kaufmann