Six scheduled events were abandoned due to weather conditions on the first competition day at Qingdao International Regatta in Qingdao, Shandong Province on Wednesday.

 

Only two events, 49ER and 470 Women, set sail despite weak wind.

 

Iker Martinez/Xabier, the gold medalists of Athens Olympics, finished on top after the first race in 49ER.

 

In the 470 Women, Elise Rechichi/Tessa Parkinson from Australia, who is extremely fast in light air, came out first after the first race.

 

Lindsey Bell, press officer of the British sailing team, said: "Qingdao's condition is different from most places, but that is normal. Sometimes there is wind, sometimes there is not."

 

"I think we will be luckier as the regatta goes," Bell added.

 

Qingdao International Regatta runs from August 9 to 24 and features 11 events of nine classes.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2007)