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20 August 2007, 06:41 am

All Show, No Go

Spectators look on but there was no wind in Qingdao today

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Qingdao International Regatta 2007

Qingdao, China

All of the sailboards, daggerboard and centerboard boats rigged up onshore and were ready to go, but the wind did not show for the third scheduled day of racing in Qingdao at the 2007 Good Luck Beijing Sinopec International Regatta.

The race committee raised the postponement flags early in the day and kept an eye on them and the water hoping that wind would come. They spared the sailors from exposure to heat and humidity by keeping them onshore.

Sailors avoided the late morning and afternoon heat by staying in the air conditioned cafeteria, in their air conditioned and fitted out containers or under tents and umbrellas. The mid-afternoon's cloud cover and cooler air was not enough to make the wind start to circulate. At approximately 15:15, the race committee signalled cancellation of the day's racing for the RS:X , Finn, Yngling, Star and Tornado classes. At approximately 16:00, the race committee cancelled racing for the 49ers, and by 16:30 the venue was a ghost town. Competitors and coaches will be looking at the official notice board later today and tomorrow morning for any changes to the sailing schedule.

With no racing today, Great Britain hold onto their five leaderboard top spots after a terrific performance yesterday. Ben AINSLIE (GBR) leads in the Finn, Bryony SHAW (GBR) tops the RS:X Women and Sarah AYTON, Sarah WEBB and Pippa WILSON (GBR) the Yngling after they all posted a bullet and a second place yesterday. Britain's other leaders are 2006 test event winners Paul GOODISON (GBR) in the Laser and Nick ROGERS and Joe GLANFIELD (GBR) in the 470 Men.

Another of the winning crews in Qingdao last year, Therese TORGERSSON and Vemdela ZACHRISSON (SWE), lead after three races in the 470 Women. 2004 Olympic Champions Iker MARTINEZ and Xabier FERNANDEZ (ESP) lead in the 49er, as do Athens and Sydney gold medallists Roman HAGARA and Han Peter STEINACHER (AUT) in the Tornado.

Evi VAN ACKER (BEL) looked very good in the tricky current and light winds and leads the Laser Radial fleet, the ever-consistent Xavier ROHART and Pascal RAMBEAU (FRA) are ahead in the Stars, whilst Tom ASHLEY (NZL) leads in the RS:X Men.

Results