China's Yin Jian reclaimed her lead in the Women's RS:X competition on Tuesday, eyeing the gold for the host in the medal race slated on Wednesday.
Despite a dip to second on Monday, Yin stormed back to lead the Race 10 in easy fashion, cutting a one-minute margin over the second. With 33 points overall, she topped the board before the double-points medal race.
Yin, a silver medallist at the Athens, is favored to win the host nation the first Olympic sailing gold, with Wednesday's predicted light winds and a strong current ideal for her.
Chinese team leader Yao Xinpei, showed his expectation in the veteran windsurfer. "As the Chinese saying goes, the horse that goes to war for the second time will surely bring back victorious news," he said.
Alessandra Sensini of Italy, competing at her fifth Olympics, was pushed back to second overall after finishing eighth on Tuesday.
"The Chinese girl is great in light wind and she is physically stronger than I am. I'm just going to try my best," she said.
Bryony Shaw of Britain, second in Race 10, is third overall.
"I have a great chance in the medal race because the points at the top of the board are squeezed together. I just need a positive attitude, to keep my spirits up, and to believe in myself. I just need to sail how I know how to sail," she said.
The medal race is scheduled at 14:00 on Wednesday.
(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2008)
