Everything's shipshape

With 33 medals up for grabs fans can expect to see some decisive battles on the calm seas off Qingdao. Even though the competitions should be heavy on technique, that won't lessen the excitement. Hong Kong windsurfing hopes Chan King-yin and Vicky Chan Wai-kei will be among the sailors launching their craft from what many have described as the best competition-sailing facility in the world.

Some 400 athletes competing across the 11 sailing events are in Qingdao, on the Yellow Sea about 720 kilometres from Beijing.

They are making last-minute adjustments to their rigs and poring over meteorological data and maritime charts to map out their strategies.

Sailors from 53 nations have qualified for the competition, and tens of thousands of spectators are expected to pack the seafront and special floating viewing platforms. Fans and sailors alike will benefit from new rules introduced to make the regatta more exciting, regardless of the wind (or lack thereof).

For the first time in history, the sailors will take part in a new medal race finale to decide the champions. After the opening series of races held over five days, the top 10 crews advance to the final medal race where penalty points are doubled and the Olympic champions will be decided. Competitors are scored negatively so race winners get zero points, with subsequent placings awarded increasingly higher points tallies. The lowest score wins.

The medal race format has been in use at leading international regattas for 21/2 years so all competitors are familiar with the system.

All the foregoing should endear many to the sport long after the Olympic carnival leaves town, for they will witness the world's sailing masters facing only one chance to prove they rule the waves.