Light winds make for unpredictable Olympic regatta

By Justin Palmer

LONDON (Reuters) - The Olympic regatta in Qingdao is set to test competitors to the full with light winds, strong tides and a powerful current.

On the Yellow Sea approximately 450 miles (720 kms) southeast of Beijing, Qingdao will host 11 sailing events featuring competitors from 62 nations.

A new dimension has been added to the regatta with the introduction of a medal race, where double points are scored, for the top 10 in each class after the opening series.

The medal race, it is hoped, will extend the excitement and decide the medal placings, and prevent the regatta being won with a race or more to spare.

Briton Ben Ainslie starts as strong favourite to retain his Finn title, the Englishman going for a third successive gold after triumphs in Sydney in 2000 in the Laser class, and four years ago in the Finn.

"It's a difficult venue," Ainslie says of Qingdao.

"In sailing you have always got nature which has its play on the event and will probably have more of a say in this venue because it's generally quite light winds, a lot of current, a lot of tide, it's quite unpredictable weather."

The British team are on a strict exercise regime and diet to lose weight in order to compensate for the light winds.