Womens RS:X started the first race of the 2008 Olympic regatta in Qingdao this afternoon. The fleet started in a breeze of 10 knots. Australia's Jessica Crisp led for most of the first beat but over the last 50 metres, China's Jian Yin sailing inside her to lead by a second at the top mark, ahead of World number one ranked Marina Albau (ESP) and Olha Masliverts from Ukraine.

The Chinese champion surfed away by another 12 seconds down the run from Crisp, who had herself extended the gap from Albau by 30 seconds. Masliverts was just a few lengths back.

The tide was ripping at the top mark and down the second run the leaders enjoyed surfing in clear air, Yin added another couple of boat lengths to her lead.

Yin (CHN) was the clear winner, from Crisp (AUS), Albau (ESP), Masliverts (UKR), Bryony Shaw (GBR), Alessandra Senseni (ITA) was seventh, Barbara Kendall (NZL) 12th, Zofia Klepacka (POL) was 19th.

By the time the Men's RS: X first race started the wind had dropped to 8 knots but was steady from the east.

China's Aichen Wang was cheered by the onshore crowds as he rounded the top mark, just 200 metres off the Qingdao sea-wall, just a length ahead of Maksym Oberemko, followed closely by Makamoto Tomozawa JPN and Shahar Zubari ISR.

By the third mark the Israeli had taken the lead, Wang (CHN) finished two length behinds, then there was a big gap back to Oberemko (UKR) and then Tom Ashley (NZL), an excellent effort coming from 11th at the first mark.

by Rob Kothe

Newsfeed supplied by