Read China Daily: http://www.sailing2008.org/2007chinadaily/cd16.pdf
QINGDAO, East China, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Six scheduled events were abandoned due to weather conditions on the first competition day at Qingdao International Regatta here on Wednesday.
Only two events, 49ER and 470 Women, set sail despite weak wind.
Iker Martinez/Xabier, the gold medalists of Athens Olympics, finished on top after the first race in 49ER.
"We finished up our first race with a good performance today, coming in 1st with a little luck. The conditions are difficult here, so we will have to see what happens tomorrow," Martinze said.
"We didn't do too well in last year's event. This year, we have come in with more preparation, and are hoping to come out in the top 10. We will be training hard for the 2008 Olympics."
In the 470 Women, Elise Rechichi/Tessa Parkinson from Australia, who is extremely fast in light air, came out first after the first race.
"We were very happy with the start of today's event," Rechichi said. "Winning our first race feels amazing, and was a great way to start off the week." Lindsey Bell, press officer of the British sailing team, said: "Qingdao's condition is different from most places, but that is normal. Sometimes there is wind, sometimes there is not." "I think we will be luckier as the regatta goes," Bell added.
Qingdao International Regatta runs from August 9 to 24 and features 11 events of nine classes.
Only two events, 49ER and 470 Women, set sail despite weak wind.
Iker Martinez/Xabier, the gold medalists of Athens Olympics, finished on top after the first race in 49ER.
"We finished up our first race with a good performance today, coming in 1st with a little luck. The conditions are difficult here, so we will have to see what happens tomorrow," Martinze said.
"We didn't do too well in last year's event. This year, we have come in with more preparation, and are hoping to come out in the top 10. We will be training hard for the 2008 Olympics."
In the 470 Women, Elise Rechichi/Tessa Parkinson from Australia, who is extremely fast in light air, came out first after the first race.
"We were very happy with the start of today's event," Rechichi said. "Winning our first race feels amazing, and was a great way to start off the week." Lindsey Bell, press officer of the British sailing team, said: "Qingdao's condition is different from most places, but that is normal. Sometimes there is wind, sometimes there is not." "I think we will be luckier as the regatta goes," Bell added.
Qingdao International Regatta runs from August 9 to 24 and features 11 events of nine classes.
