Green for Code Zero

Yachting authorities have given the green light for Tornado class sailors to use a controversial new sail in the Beijing Olympics regatta.

Barely hours before the regatta begins, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) said Tornado teams could use the upwind spinnaker after deciding that it did not break any class rules.

The Code 0 spinnaker, which is smaller in area size than a normal spinnaker, can help the catamarans sail faster against the wind in light wind conditions, a key advantage in Qingdao.
Dutch Tornado crew Pim Nieuwenhuis and Australian-born Mitch Booth upped the ante after announcing they would use the sail, also known as a gennaker or kite, just a fortnight out from the start of the Olympics. Read more..