All the 400 sailors from 62 countries and regions have arrived at Qingdao Olympic sailing center as of August 6, according to the Sailing Committee (Qingdao) of BOCOG.

"All the 400 sailors with their 267 sailing boats have finished the registration at the sailing center, busy preparing themselves for the sailing regatta starting from August 9," Qu Chun, Competition Manager of the Sailing Committee (Qingdao) of BOCOG, told a press conference in Qingdao on Thursday.

The sailors will compete in 11 events of nine classes on a water area of almost 50 square kilometers during the 2008 Beijing Olympic sailing tournament from August 9 to 23, with two reserved days.

"It's no doubt the best sailing venue. Having the Olympic venue so closed to the marina is something that has never been achieved before," said David Kellett, vice president of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), at the press conference.

"Water quality has been improved every year. There is no problem. We hope we could get some good winds," he added.

Speaking of the possible light wind in Qingdao during the competition, Jerome Pels, ISAF Secretary General, said there was no problem for that.

"We have reserved days. We have enough room to make sure we can sail the races. Also, we don't need to complete all the races to finish the competition," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2008)