Update from Qingdao - August 14

It wouldn't be a Laser event without a day lost to poor conditions.

Dear All:

We woke up to a low mist over the city and limp flags on their poles. There was no breeze. During the day it picked up a bit so that the flags were gently flying, but there was never enough wind for racing.

We went down to the boat park and rigged the Laser in hope that things would improve, but at 11:3o am the postponement flag went up. We sat around for an hour, did an interview with a reporter and then went back to the residence. Greg could monitor the postponement flags from our room. It was also very hot outside and there was no sense in dehydrating out there.

By 2:30 pm it was starting to be obvious that things were not going to improve and so I went shopping. Greg stayed in case there was a change. I got back at 4:00 pm as racing was abandoned for the day. We had a reserve day scheduled for tomorrow and so we live in hope that there will be winds tomorrow. Some of the forecasts are calling for an improvement due to an approaching weather system.

Greg’s spirits are still pretty good, although, like all the sailors he is frustrated by the weather conditions. They came here to sail and sitting around in the boat park is not fun.

Regards to all

Peter Douglas