ISAF Sailing World Cup в Китае

ISAF Sailing World Cup Final, Abu Dhabi. Гонки класса RS: X

С 26 по 30 ноября на ISAF Sailing World Cup Final в Абу-Даби соберутся лучшие и самые быстрые виндсерферы мира, в гонках примут участие олимпийские медалисты и чемпионы разных лет. Спортсмены будут выступать в классе RS:X, по 20 человек в мужском и женском флотах.

Представительница Франции Charline Picon была на голову выше своих конкуренток в женском зачете класса RS:X на протяжении всего 2014 года, выиграв все ключевые регаты. Picon возглавляла флот на европейских стартах, выиграла Olympic Test Event и этапы Кубка мира и сделает все, чтобы завоевать золото финала ISAF Sailing World Cup 2014. Charline Picon: «Это будет очень здорово побывать в новой стране и очень ответственно, т.к. это финал ISAF Sailing World Cup. Я выиграла все старты в этом году и постараюсь выступить хорошо и в Абу-Даби. Я тренировалась в Омане до этих соревнований в качестве подготовки к гонкам следующего года. Условия этих гонок будут сходными, так что будет хорошо для меня получить определенную подготовку. Я собираюсь выступить максимально хорошо и надеюсь, что этого будет достаточно для победы».

Состав женского флота RS:X исключительный. Помимо Charline Picon в него войдут олимпийская чемпионка Лондона 2012 Marina Alabau (ESP), серебряный призер Tuuli Petaja (FIN) и бронзовая медалистка Zofia Klepacka (POL).

Россию в Абу-Даби будет представлять Ольга Масливец. Ольга — одна из самых опытных гонщиц этого флота, она является ветераном четырех Олимпийских игр. После Олимпиады в Лондоне Масливец провела некоторое время вдали от виндсерфинга, но теперь она вернулась в класс RS:X. Ольга финишировала второй на этапе чемпионата мира ISAF Sailing в Циндао четыре недели назад, тем самым обеспечив себе место в финальной гонке в Абу-Даби. В интервью Ольга отметила, что готова к гонке в составе флота столь высокого уровня: «После долгого перерыва в классе RS:X я чувствую в себе жажду сложных гонок. Я считаю ISAF Sailing World Cup Final чрезвычайно интересным событием, вершиной олимпийского парусного спорта. Я хочу быть на подиуме, но, честно говоря, и нахождение в десятке будет для меня отличным результатом в этом году».

Женский флот RS:X состоит из лучших спортсменок со всего мира, которые будут бороться за титул победителя ISAF Sailing World Cup Final. В финальный флот также вошли: обладательница титула ISAF Rolex World Sailor 2010 Blanca Manchon (ESP), World #1 Flavia Tartaglini (ITA), World #2 и бронзовый призер Beijing 2008 Bryony Shaw (GBR), World #3 Laura Linares (ITA), а также пять китайских спортсменок, обладателей медалей событий ISAF.

Мужской флот RS:X состоит из 20 лучших гонщиков мира, каждый из которых способен завоевать золото в Абу-Даби. В финальной гонке ISAF Sailing World Cup примут участие:

• Byron Kokkalanis (GRE), обладатель золотой медали ISAF Sailing World Cup в Майами и Циндао, серебра на Майорке;
• Julien Bontemps (FRA), обладатель трех титулов чемпиона мира, серебрянный призер Олимпиады в Пекине;
• польские спортсмены Przemyslaw Miarczynski, Piotr Myszka и Pawel Tarnowski. Pawel Tarnowski – двукратный чемпион мира среди молодежи в классе RS:X, Przemyslaw Miarczynski – обладатель серебряной медали Олимпийских игр в Лондоне 2012, Piotr Myszka – чемпион мира 2010 г.;
• Nick Dempsey (GBR), серебряный призер Олимпиады в Лондоне 2012;
• Shahar Zubari (ISR), бронзовый призер Олимпиады в Пекине 2008;
• Макс Оберемко (RUS), участник 5 Олимпийских игр.

Гонки класса RS:X начнутся в 27 ноября в 12:00 по местному времени, медальные гонки запланированы на 30 ноября.

Следить за ходом и результатами гонок можно на сайте ISAF.

International Sailing Federation

• Africa (ASF)
• Asia (ASCON)
• Europe (EUROSAF)
• Oceania (OSAF)
• South America (SASC)

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as the world governing body for the sport of sailing.

ISAF officially announced it’s rebranded name and federation logo as ‘World Sailing — A Sport for Life’ in mid-December 2015. The four main aims of the rebrand are: more transparency, better communication, stronger governance and greater accountability.

Sailing is a very diverse sport. Competitive s]ailing takes place using a wide variety of boats including windsurfers, dinghies, multihulls, Paralympic-class keelboats, keelboats (see also sailing yachts), three disciplines of kiterace and radio controlled sail boats. Furthermore, there are different disciplines such as fleet racing, match racing, team racing and Offshore & Oceanic Racing, Para World Sailing and Cruising. Speed records are managed by World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC), an independent body recognised by ISAF.

Contents

The International Yacht Racing Union, IYRU, was formed in 1904, when Major Brooke Heckstall-Smith AINA, then Secretary of the Yacht Racing Association (now the Royal Yachting Association) wrote to the Yacht Club de France, pointing out the desirability of holding a conference for the purpose of devising an International Rule of Measurement for Racing Yachts acceptable to all European Countries. As a result, an International Conference of Yacht Measurement was held in London in January and June 1906, at which the Metre Rule was developed. This group went on to adopt a formal Constitution after a meeting at the Yacht Club de France in Paris on 14 October 1907 so this is seen as the formation date of the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU). A more detailed history is available on the ISAF website. [1] On 5 August 1996, the IYRU changed its name to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). [2]

In 1996 sailing was included in the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games program as a demonstration event. It became a full medal sport at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Para Sailing is among the Paralympic Games sports in which athletes with a physical disability compete together.

ISAF merged with International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) in November 2014, and re-formed as ISAF Disabled Sailing — ″The creation of a single governing body for Member National Authorities (MNAs) and sailors will better serve the needs and interests of sailors with disabilities, and provide consistency within the sport, from relationships with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to technical support and operational efficiencies.″

The IFDS Foundation was dissolved during the 2015 ISAF Annual Conference in Sanya, China. The Disabled Sailing Committee then rebranded as the Para World Sailing Committee.

• Fleet Racing — The commonest form of competitive sailing involving boats racing around a course.
• Match Racing — Two identical boats race against each other. This is one-on-one duel requires strategy and tactics. The first to cross the finish line wins.
• Team Racing — Two teams each of three boats compete against each other. Fast paced racing depends on excellent boat handling skills and rapid tactical decision making.
• Offshore/Oceanic — Any offshore race over 800 miles, including races around the world.
• Para World Sailing — Responsible for disabled sailing worldwide. Sailing is a versatile sport that can accommodate many types of disability. Almost any boat can be sailed though some are more suitable than others.
• Cruising — Can be a coastal day sail or a longer distance international journeys, it is the most commonly enjoyed sailing discipline.

ISAF is now most familiar to sailors for defining the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the international standard used to define competition rules and the framework within which racing is conducted.

Para sailing regattas for para sailors likewise follow the ISAF rulebook with a minor change: A 1-turn penalty and adapted seating, mobility modifications (like servo-assist devices for the severely disabled sailors) depending on need. Strict classification requirements are enforced in the Paralympic Games for fair competition in Paralympic-class keelboats.

The key documents under control of ISAF are:

National Members

Like all sports federations, ISAF is composed of «Member National Authorities» (MNA’s) from over 120 countries all of who have the right to make submissions to determine ISAF’s policies. [3]

Persons with a physical impairment who are interested to learn to sail are encouraged to locate their national World Sailing Member National Authority (MNA), Disabled Sports Organization or visit the local sailing club, as World Sailing seeks to integrate the differently abled into the sport.

Class Associations

The federation recognizes over 80 classes which are each entitled to hold world championships See http://www.sailing.org/classes

Affiliated Members

• IFDS International Association for Disabled Sailing[4]
• ORC Offshore Racing Congress[5]
• World Sailing Speed Record Council[6]
• International Radio Sailing Association[7]

Sailing and the Olympics

ISAF is responsible for administration of the Olympic Sailing Regatta. Sailing (called yachting in the early years) has been a mainstay of the modern summer Olympic games since 1896, omitted only from the 1904 summer games in St. Louis. [8] [9]

To help encourage high level international competition in the Classes used for the Olympic Games, ISAF arrange the following events:

• ISAF Sailing World Championships this is held every four years and is the combined World Championships for the Olympic classes and used as part of the Olympic Quaifying procedure
• ISAF Sailing World Cup and annual global sailing tour

Sailing in the Paralympic Games

Para World Sailing is responsible for disabled sailing worldwide. It is administered through the World Sailing Secretariat in Southampton, UK and the Para World Sailing Committee.

Sailing is open to athletes with physical impairment. The classification system is based on: hand function, stability, mobility and vision. Athletes compete in three events, which are non-gender specified: single-person keelboats, 2-person keelboats and 3-person keelboats.

ISAF Classes World championships

Each ISAF classes is entitled to hold a world championship

ISAF Initiated World Championships and events

The following World Championships are held: [10]

ISAF Recognised World championships

ISAF Special Events

• Volvo Ocean Race
• World Match Racing Tour
• America’s Cup
• Extreme 40 Sailing Series
• PWA Tour

President

From 1906 to 1946 a chairman was elected from time to time to orchestrate the annual meetings.

• 1946 — 1955 Sir Ralph Gore was elected the first President
• 1955 — 1969 Sir Peter Scott
• 1969 — 1986 Beppe Croce
• 1986 — 1994 Peter Tallberg
• 1994 — 2004 Paul Henderson
• 2004 — 2012 Göran Petersson
• 2012 Carlo Croce

Vice President

Vice presidents have been elected since 1955.

• 1998 — 2008 David Kellett
• 2004 — 2012 David Irish
• 2004 — 2012 Teresa Lara
• 2004 — 2012 Teo Ping Low
• 2008 — 2012 Alberto Predieri
• 2008 — 2012 Eric Tulla
• 2008 — 2012 Tomasz Holc
• 2008 — Present Nazli Imre
• 2012 — Present Georg Andreadis
• 2012 — Present Chris Atkins
• 2012 — Present Adrienne Greenwood
• 2008 — Present Gary Jobson
• 2008 — Present Qunhai Li
• 2008 — Present Scot Perry

Presidents of Honour

• 1994 — Present HM King Constantine II of Greece[11]
• 1994 — Present HM King Harald V of Norway
• 1958 — 1991 HM King Olav of Norway

Race officials

There are four types of race officials used to conduct sailing events recognised by ISAF as follows:

The International Sailing Federation hold the following awards together with service medals.

ISAF World Sailor of the Year

The main annual award the «ISAF World Sailor of the Year» that is sponsored by ROLEX in the following categories:

• Male World Sailor of the Year
• Female World Sailor of the Year

When a crew of 1, 2 or 3 people is nominated, the awarded is presented to the entire crew. When larger crews win the award, normally only the skipper is recognised.

ISAF Hall of Fame

On Monday 5 November 2007 in Estoril, Portugal, the International Sailing Federation announced the first six inductees for the ISAF Sailing Hall of Fame it is unclear at present when the next awards will be but the original intent was every 4 years. Present inductees are:

• Paul Elvstrøm (DEN )
• Barbara Kendall (NZL )
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR )
• Dame Ellen MacArthur (GBR )
• Olin Stephens (USA )
• Eric Tabarly (FRA )

ISAF Beppe Croce

The Beppe Croce Trophy is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to the sport of sailing. The roll of honour is an impressive one, including multiple Olympic medallists, rules gurus and designers, and all have dedicated an outstanding amount of time to the sport of sailing. Recipients are presented with a replica trophy.

РУБРИКА: ISAF — World Sailing

Правила парусных гонок на 2017-2020 гг. (ППГ-17)

Исполком ВФПС предлагает вашему вниманию официальный перевод Международных Правил парусных гонок 2017-2020 (ППГ-17) — по ссылке. На данный момент текст перевода проходит последнюю редакторскую проверку и будет официально утвержден Президиумом в январе 2017 года.

Итоговые результаты молодежного Чемпионата мира по парусному спорту

Вчера, 20 декабря, в Новой Зеландии завершился Молодежный Чемпионат мира World Sailing — Youth Sailing World Championship.

В регате принимали участие 389 спортсменов из 65 стран, среди которых и россияне: Валерия Ломатченко и Даниил Крутских (Лазер-радиал), Мариам Сехпосян и Илья Киричук (RS:X), Зоя Новикова и Диана Сабирова (29-й).

16 декабря в Новой Зеландии стартуют гонки молодежного Чемпионата мира по парусному спорту

В Окленде (Новая Зеландия) стартовал чемпионат мира по парусному спорту. Соревнование проводится уже в 46-й раз и в этот раз собрало более 380 участников из 65 стран. На воду выйдет более 260 яхт.

Российские спортсмены выступят в шести из девяти дисциплинах. Цвета нашего флага будут защищать Валерия Ломатченко и Даниил Крутских (Лазер-радиал), Мариам Сехпосян и Илья Киричук (RS:X), Зоя Новикова и Диана Сабирова, Михаил Ушков и Тимофей Зубков (29-й).

17 декабря в «ПИРогово» пройдет семинар по Правилам парусных гонок ISAF

Парусная школа 7ЯХТ продолжает серию зимних семинаров по правилам парусных гонок и настройке гоночной яхты.

Второй семинар состоится 17 декабря в 10.30 в эллинге в яхт-клуба «Пирогово».

Все мы слышали, что парусные гонки — спорт джентльменов. А настоящие джентльмены всегда действую по правилам. Так давайте вместе на семинаре разберёмся в весьма непростых «Правилах парусных гонок» ISAF с помощью «Книги случаев» ISAF и «Вопросов и ответов» ISAF.

Новый президент «World Sailing» Ким Андерсен посетит премию «Яхтсмен года 2016»

Церемония вручения ежегодной национальной премии «Яхтсмен Года 2016» состоится 3 декабря 2016 года в Московском Государственном Музыкальном Театре Фольклора «Русская песня» на Олимпийском проспекте 14. Организаторы премии: Всероссийская федерация парусного спорта (ВФПС) и журнал Yacht Russia. Девиз премии: ПАРУС КАК ОБРАЗ ЖИЗНИ!

Олег Ильин рассказал об итогах ежегодной конференции и генеральной ассамблеи «ISAF — World Sailing»

Олег Ильин, генеральный секретарь ВФПС рассказывает о важнейших итогах Ежегодной конференции и генеральной ассамблее Международной федерации парусного спорта (ISAF — World Sailing), прошедшей в Барселоне.

Анастасия Чернова рассказала о своем участии в ежегодной конференции и генеральной ассамблее «ISAF — World Sailing»

Предлагаем вашему вниманию отчет об участии в ежегодной конференции и генеральной ассамблее Международной федерации парусного спорта (ISAF — World Sailing) Анастасии Черновой, старшего тренера молодежной сборной России по парусному спорту, члена Комиссии тренеров Международной федерации парусного спорта.

«ISAF — World Sailing» подтвердила международный статус российских судей

Международная федерация парусного спорта (World Sailing) опубликовала списки международных судей, ампайров, мерителей, судей гоночных комитетов, получивших и подтвердивших свой статус на следующие 4 года.

В Барселоне завершилась Генеральная ассамблея Международной федерации парусного спорта

В Барселоне завершилась Генеральная ассамблея Международной федерации парусного спорта (World Sailing), проходившая в рамках Ежегодной конференции, на которой состоялись выборы президента этой организации.

На пост президента претендовали три кандидата: действующий президент, итальянец Карло Кроче, канадец Том Хендерсон и датчанин Ким Андерсен.
Первый тур голосования выявил двух кандидатов – Кроче и Андерсена. Во втором победил Андерсен, который и стал президентом World Sailing (ISAF) на следующие четыре года.

Ким Андерсон избран новым президентом «ISAF — World Sailing»

Датчанин Ким Андерсен избран новым президентом World Sailing на следующие 4 года.

Выборы прошли на Генеральной ассамблее, проходящей в Барселоне (Испания), под председательством Его Величества короля Константина.

99 зарегистрированных делегатов могли проголосовать за одного из трех кандидатов — действующего президента Карло Кроче (ITA), Кима Андерсена (DEN) и Пола Хендерсона (CAN). Причем Хендерсон уже избирался президентом в 1996-2004.

На Ассамблее Международной федерации парусного спорта обсудили программу регаты Олимпиады Токио-2020

Вчера Международная федерация парусного спорта (World Sailing) распространила пресс-релиз, в котором говорится, что президиум организации решил оставить программу олимпийской парусной регаты в ее нынешнем виде. Однако шанс быть включенным в нее у кайтбординга, в котором позиции россиян сильны, еще есть.

Определились победители международной премии «Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2016»

Минувшей ночью стали известны имена победителей международной премии «Яхтсмен года 2016» по версии World Sailing (ISAF) — Rolex World Sailor of the Year — олимпийские чемпионы Рио-де-Жанейро аргентинец Сантьяго Ланге (Накра 17) и британки Ханна Миллс и Саския Кларк (470).

Big Prizes at ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao

Qingdao, China (September 20, 2015) – The final day at ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao was filled with tension as the Medal Races decided the podium places, Rio 2016 Olympic qualification spots and Abu Dhabi World Cup Final positions.

Alongside this, sailors in the top three in each fleet receive a share of the 150,000 Euro prize fund.

Light wind and strong current has been a regularity throughout the week with those reading the conditions to full effect reaping the rewards. A 5-7 south eastern breeze made for a tense finale with sailors aiming to leave nothing on the water.

Chinese sailors dominated the day taking gold in the Men’s 470, Finn, Laser Radial and the Men’s and Women’s RS:X. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Justin Liu and Denise Lim in the Nacra 17, Laser sailor Lorenzo Chiavarini (GBR) and Japan’s Women’s 470 team took the spoils in their fleets.

Nacra 17
Singapore’s Justin Liu and Denise Lim stylishly wrapped up gold in the Nacra 17 with a Medal Race victory. It was their tenth race win of the week and with gold, they have qualified Singapore for a Rio 2016 Nacra 17 spot.

The pair revelled in Qingdao’s light air and with conditions in the Medal Race similar to the days prior, the odds were in their favour. Liu and Lim worked their way through the fleet during the Medal Race and finished 51 seconds clear of Japan’s Hiroki Goto and Wakako Tabata.

Throughout the week the Singaporeans remained coy about their chances, not taking anything for granted. When they crossed the finish there was visible sense of a relief that was quickly overtaken by joy as they let the celebrations commence.

“It’s amazing,” said Liu through a beaming smile. “There were so many challenges to make it here and to try and qualify the country. To be able to do it is amazing. It’ll be our first Olympics so there is so much to look forward to.”

Lim added, “We sailed the conditions quite well, and with our coaches help, he helped us a lot with the current and the wind changes and I think that gave us an advantage over the rest.”

Whilst the Singaporeans can look forward, the teams from China, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand were understandably disappointed. A world cup silver and bronze for Zijin Wen and Rubei Yuan (CHN) and Tat Choi Fung and Yu Ting Chan (HKG) were mere consolation with Olympic dreams filling their head in advance of the competition.

Japan’s Goto and Tabata had beaten their main rivals in several key regattas building up to Qingdao but the big breeze that they excel in failed to kick in in Qingdao as they finished fifth overall.

Nonetheless, Goto remained complimentary to the Singaporeans and has an eye on the future, “I have to take my hat off to the Singapore team. It was light wind and they totally dominated. They sailed the wind so well.

“My aim was to inspire the next generation of Nacra sailors, and the next Olympic Sailing [Competition] will be in my home town of Enoshima. I will be there, hopefully as a coach because I have young people asking me to help them, so this is good. I’m not happy now but we have to look to the future for everyone.”

The Olympic Games aims to inspire generation after generation and with key inspirations such as Hiroki Goto driving the sport and multihull sailing forward, watch out for a high flying Japanese Nacra 17 team at Tokyo 2020.

Men’s and Women’s 470
Meanwhile in the Women’s 470 there was cause for Japanese merriment as the team snapped up gold and silver respectively.

Ai Kondo Yoshida and Miho Yoshioka (JPN) held onto their overnight lead whilst a second in the Medal Race promoted Akiyo Yamaguchi and Eri Hatayama (JPN) into silver medal position.

As Yamaguchi and Hatayama crossed the finished line there were smiles stretched across their faces with high fives aplenty. Kondo Yoshida and Yoshioka followed behind them in third and revelled in their compatriots’ celebrations with grins creeping in before they finished.

It was a tense race in the light breeze for all the competitors and the points were close going into the race. Xiaoli Wang and Lizhu Huang (CHN) were breathing down the Kondo Yoshida and Yoshioka’s necks but the Japanese experience shone through as they remained calm as Kondo Yoshida explained, “Today there was a two point lead for us against the Chinese team who were our closest rivals. We got the win and we are very very happy.”

Shasha Chen and Haiyan Gao (CHN) completed the Women’s 470 podium.

It was a three way shoot out in the Men’s 470 between the Austrian, Chinese and Spanish teams. Four points separated them going into the Medal Race and it was China’s Hao Lan and Chao Wang who prevailed.

Lan and Wang finished second in the Medal Race compared to overnight leader David Bargehr and David Mahr’s fourth (AUT) and Onan Barreiros and Juan Curbelo Cabrera’s (ESP) third. As a result the Austrians were made to settle for silver, one point behind the Chinese with the Spaniards rounding off the podium.

“There is a little bit of a mixture between happy and disappointed,” explained Bargehr. “But overall the happy feeling is superior because we won a medal here and it’s always good to win a medal.

“We knew that points were very close with not much separation so we knew we had to sail a really good Medal Race to win this event.

“After the race you are always more clever than before, but it was a really tight Medal Race and it could have gone either way. And always you need a little bit of luck in a Medal Race.”

Laser and Laser Radial
The advantage going into the Laser Medal Race belonged to Great Britain’s Lorenzo Chiavarini as he owned a 17 point lead. He delivered the goods with a sixth place finish to complete a comfortable victory.

“I was a bit nervous coming into the day,” explained the British sailor, “but once I got out on the water everything started calming down.

“The race track was shorter so the gains were less today. Tiredness was also another point of the day but for me it was important to keep Tonci [Stipanovic] around me and not let him go too far.”

Croatia’s Stipanovic needed the to go massively in his favour if he was to overthrow Chiavarini. The British sailor controlled him and kept the Croatian behind him throughout the race with Stipanovic finishing second overall.

The Medal Race victory went the way of Pavlos Kontides (CYP) who moved up into the bronze medal position.

Chinese Laser Radial sailor Dongshuang Zhang loves sailing in Qingdao. She took her third consecutive victory at the event with another professional performance.

Zhang finished second in the Medal Race which confirmed her as gold medallist after the second placed Isabella Bertold (CAN) finished eighth overall.

Despite finishing 17 points clear of her rivals, taking another World Cup gold medal, 12,000 Euros in prize money and booking a spot at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final Zhang was less than impressed with her performance as she explained, “The race went very well, better than yesterday. I’m not very satisfied with the regatta, I made a lot of small mistakes which I will work on little by little.”

Men’s and Women’s RS:X
It was double gold for China in the Men’s and Women’s RS:X with Chunzuang Liu and Jiahui Wu clinching gold in their respected fleets.

Wu led the Women’s RS:X fleet from the first day but heading into the Medal Race Peina Chen (CHN) was firmly in contention, just six points off the leader. Chen finished one place ahead of Wu in the Medal Race but it wasn’t enough to topple her as Wu sealed gold.

“There was little wind and a lot of pumping,” explained Wu after racing, “but I am very happy with the win. It was a great competition for me and the less wind suited my style.”

Pei Ling Chen (CHN) took the Medal Race victory to pick up bronze.

Experienced Spanish racer Blanca Manchon finished in eighth but was upbeat after racing with lots of lessons learnt from Qingdao’s challenging current, “I had two OCS this week, I was risking a lot because I came here for training so it was good for me to try a little risk on the starts, but with the currents it was hard to be on the line and sometimes I just made a mistake. If I didn’t have that second OCS I would have finished third so I am happy.

“This place is totally different to Spain. It’s funny. It’s a different culture and wind so it was good. There was not much wind but it was great for my training.”

Not much separated the Men’s RS:X fleet throughout the Medal Race with tensions high but Liu managed to put himself in a good position. A second place confirmed his gold medal and upon crossing the finish line he let out a triumphant, “woohoo.”

Once ashore Liu said, “I performed really well, better than normal. Over the regatta there has been good and bad, but overall it has been good and I have learned a lot. We have made great progress as a nation in windsurfing with tough exercises.”

Bing Ye (CHN) and Zhichao Zang (CHN) complete the podium.

Finn
China’s Lei Gong overthrew Luwen Shen in the Finn to snap up a hard earned gold medal.

Gong and Shen battled hard throughout the week with very little separating them on the race track. The advantage belonged to Shen going into the Medal Race as he led Gong by five points.

However it was Gong’s experience that shone through in the Medal Race as he took a convincing bullet with Shen sailing through in fourth. One point was the difference at the end of the day.

For China’s Finn team it was a job well done throughout the week as they booked the nation a spot at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Attention now turns to the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final that is scheduled to take place from 27 October to 1 November 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The best placed Asian and International sailors from ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao have booked their spot on the start line with the remaining sailors to be invited based on the ISAF World Sailing Rankings that will be released on 21 September.

About the ISAF Sailing World Cup
The ISAF Sailing World Cup is a world-class annual series for Olympic sailing. It is open to the sailing events chosen for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition. Its centre piece is the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup will consist of five regattas for all ten Olympic events and where possible, Formula Kite Racing. Qualification places for the ISAF Sailing World Cup final are up for grabs at each event. The final will bring together the top 20 boats in each Olympic event and an Open Kiteboarding event where the World Cup Champions will be crowned.

2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup
Melbourne – 7-14 December 2014
Miami – 25-31 January 2015
Hyères – 20-26 April 2015
Weymouth and Portland – 8-14 June 2015
Qingdao – 14-20 September 2015
2015 Final Abu Dhabi – 27 October to 1 November 2015