The Chinese organizers on Monday played down concerns about
light wind conditions in Qingdao, venue for the 2008 Olympic sailing events, saying the coastal
city is absolutely capable of providing adequate racing
conditions.
Speaking to a pack of Chinese journalists, Qingdao Vice Mayor
Zang Aimin said that judging from the last two years' test events
and the meteorologic data for the past 30 years, Qingdao's wind
conditions can meet the standards to hold Olympic sailing
competitions.
"Though the city's wind conditions are far from perfect, we are
confident that the Olympic sailing events can proceed without a
hitch," she said.
Average August wind speeds in Qingdao are about 5 meters per
second --over the minimum required for racing by international
rules, but short of the ideal, 7 to 8 mps.
Several of the scheduled races in the 2006 and 2007 Qingdao
International Regatta, the test events for the Olympic sailing
competitions, were postponed or canceled due to light winds.
Zang said scheduling more lay-off days in between racing days
would allow help to make up any backlog this summer. "We will
schedule a 15-day period in order to play safe," she said.
Zang acknowledged that light winds are a challenge for foreign
athletes.
"Of course, it may be a problem for European and U.S. athletes
who are used to sailing under big winds," she said. "But everybody
competes under the same situation. They'll have to adapt to the
winds of China."
(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2008)