Update from Qingdao - August 17

Extreme conditions in Qingdao:

Dear All:

Qingdao either has too little or too much wind. Never very good sailing conditions. Today was a day of too much wind and a great deal of rain. We were affected by a low pressure area and had a steady stream of squalls come through. They scheduled three races and managed to get in only one. It was a good race for Greg and he finished 30th. He has been improving every race and he was happy with his race. He had a good start and was around 20th at the first mark.

It must have been an absolutely terrible to be a spectator here. I watched from indoors as the rain was coming in horizontally at times. So far they have completed the Yingling and Finn medal races. Just horrible conditions and many delays. At times they just could not see the marks. Greg reported that for his race where they could not look to windward because the rain was stinging their faces.

I guess they will try to race tomorrow on what was scheduled to be a reserve day. We have raced every day for six days straight and have just six races completed.

Regards to all,

Peter Douglas