Two weeks of dull, lifeless Qingdao sailing was punctuated by some intensely hot action this morning, as the Stars and Tornados sailed their medal races in 15-20 knots of breeze; similar conditions to those that wrecked the 49er fleet just a couple days ago...
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The Tornado handled the chop and breeze as gracefully as they always do, ripping around at almost 20 knots in total control, only one boat capsizing despite the nasty waves...
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...When the Stars came out and reached around during their pre-start, it almost seemed a joke to the spectators. It's hard to go from watching Tornados scream around at 18 knots to watching Stars plod through the waves at 6, but the brutal battle playing out between Scheidt, Loof, and Percy made it easy to forget about the Star's antiquity and sluggishness...