Beijing

Qingdao, China - The 2008 Olympic sailing is now behind us. The medals have been awarded, the fireworks have been fired, the sails have been furled, and the party's over. Qingdao will be hosting the 2008 Paralympic Sailing shortly, but love 'em or hate 'em, the 2008 Olympics are done. In what has been called the worst Olympic sailing venue ever, the races were run - successfully for the most part - and despite all of the difficulties with the conditions and the host country, the Olympic sailing was just that: successful if not ideal.

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 - All eyes were on the Lasers today, as the lightweight singlehanders took to the water for the 2008 Olympic medal race. Paul Goodison of Great Britain went into the final event with only one rival, setting up a match race with Sweden's Rasmus Myrgren. Goodison's goal: block Sweden, and that's precisely what happened at the back of the pack, right from the start.

Qingdao, China - Finally, some Olympic wind! Actually, a bit more wind than desired. In fact, enough wind to snap the mast of Denmark's boat just before the medal race, forcing them to scramble to get a borrowed boat out to the start line, and they did so with only 4 seconds to spare. Team Croatia, out of the medal running, rose to the occasion and lent their boat to Denmark, and upon that borrowed boat the Danes sailed to Olympic Gold - maybe.

Qingdao, China - The "torture rack" has finally been put to good use in China, as the Star Class keelboats hit the water in Qingdao today.  The heavyweights of the Olympic sailing fleet, the Star showed some interesting performance on the course as it was able to plow through the chop and holes that will sometimes set a lighter dinghy on its stern.  After waiting for some air, and with the fluky breezes hitting up to nine knots (and down to what looked like nothing in some spots), the racing began, and the battle for Olympic gold in the Star Class was on.

Qingdao, China - The Tornado catamarans took to the waters of Qingdao today for the first race of what may be the last Olympics for this class. Though fast and popular with spectators, the Tornado class is not scheduled for the London games, and the sailors of this speedy cat have a lot to prove.