UK

Qingdao, China - The Olympic Gold was largely up for grabs in the medal race for the Star Class, and that fact showed through in the racing. With a decent breeze and big seas, it was time for the heavyweights to show off a bit, and show off they did. Great Britain, Brazil and Sweden all had a shot at the top of the podium, and it was through persistence and unrelenting drive that Britain's Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson took the Gold.

Qingdao, China - Who'd have thought it?  Well, almost everybody, but that doesn't take any of the glory from the fact that Britain's Yngling Girls (aka:  Three Blondes in a Boat; the Sequel), have taken home Olympic Gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  This makes two of the three, Sarah Ayton, and Sarah Webb, double-gold medalists for this event, and Pippa Wilson a first-time Olympic champion.  From start to finish, these ladies of Britannia

We have received news from our YachtPal Hilary Lister that she has been forced to call an end to her record breaking attempt to sail around the Isle of Britain. Her journey failed not because of Hilary's will, physical handicap, or sailing abilities - all of which she proved were well matched for the boat and voyage - but because of the same types of problems that face every sailor: Mechanical breakdowns, and bad weather.

Cowes, UK - Celebrities and All Star sailors were seen sailing some slick Open 60 yachts around the Isle of Wight yesterday in the Artemis Challenge Yacht Race. Dee Caffari, Sam Davies, Brian Thompson, Ellen MacArthur, Steve White, Mike Sanderson, and others were out sailing for charity, and of course, for fun.

Cowes UK - Though rarely disappointing, the racing of the Extreme 40 iShares Cup catamarans definitely proved EXTREME this week, as the winds never fell below 25 knots during all three days of racing. The lucky spectators at this year's Cowes Week had a real treat as they watched high speed hull-up racing, one sailboat capsize after another, and dramatic crashes these past few days, as the iShares Cup fleet and all-star sailors tested their skills sailing off the Isle of Wight. High action, top sailors and big winds - yacht racing just doesn't get much more exciting than this.