Good wind for Qingdao medal races

'Qingdao Media Centre Water Feature - Day 9 Qingdao' Sail-World.com/ AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

The best breeze in the 2008 Beijing Olympic regatta has been reserved for Day 9. On the Fushan Bay course A there are some whitecaps already with windspeeds 13-15 knots at the moment, accompanied with a little rain.

Jon Pilger of http//:Predictwind.comcomments on today's forecast for Qingdao Olympic venue.

'Both models are quite different but both show strong winds for today - the CMC looks the most likely with Easterly winds around 20 knots for most of the day. 'The wind strength will be moderating tomorrow with 15 knots late morning decreasing to 8 knots late tomorrow afternoon.'

There are three medal races scheduled for today. The Finns, Ynglings and 49ers and in all cases breezes in the 20's could provide upsets.

Yesterday Ben Ainslie was able to control the aborted Finn medal race, sailing American Zach Railey to the back of the fleet in almost zero breeze, but it will be a different prospect in 20+ knots.

The 2008 49er World Champions Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin who lost the class lead yesterday afternoon could blast back into Gold Medal contention in what will be an exciting Medal race.