Sailors look to consolidate gold leads in Qingdao

Three Australian sailing crews (49ers, Men's 470, Women's 470) will be looking to consolidate their gold medal potential positions in racing in Qingdao today.

The 49er class is scheduled to resume racing at 2pm Qingdao time today (4pm Sydney time) after a rest day on Tuesday. The Australians will be looking to hold their position on top of the leader board. Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin have a two point lead over Denmark (15 points) and Italy is currently placed third (20 points).

In the 470 classes, both Australian crews will need to race conservatively to hold their first place positions. Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parksinson hold an eight point lead over Spain, while Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page are leading by only one point.

It's also moving day in the Laser and Laser Radial classes, so competition will be tough and fierce as everyone looks to find what little breeze is forecast and make the most of it.

For the Yngling competitors, the pressure is on with two of their remaining four races before the medal race are scheduled to be held today. Australia is currently placed third overall on 32 points. However, there are eight crews in the standings behind them with scores between 32 and 36 points. Krystal Weir, Karyn Gojnich and Angela Farrell will need to defend their position in the top three as the field fights for positions ahead of medal race qualification.

The weather forecast for Qingdao today is:
Temperature: - 29 degrees
Humidity: - 75% and rising (feels like 41 degrees with humidity factor)
Wind: - 2 -7 knots SE, but fickle and expected to stay in lower range
Visibility: - Foggy

Australian Sailing Team Insights:
Nathan Outteridge began sailing at age four on his grandfather's Northshore 27 yacht. The first event he ever competed in was the Sabot Nationals in Moloolaba in 1992 (age six).

Ben Austin started sailing very early - strapped into a car seat on his parent's trailer sailer when he was just six months old. He started sailing dinghy in a Mirror aged about seven in Townsville. his first competition was sailing a Mirror at age ten at Altona Yacht Club, Melbourne

Live mark roundings during races and up to date standings available at: results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/SA.shtml

www.australiansailingteam.com.au

by Nicole Browne