The 2008 Beijing Olympic sailing tournament opens in Qingdao, Shangdong Province August 9, 2008. The Olympic sailing regatta will run from August 9 to 23. [Agencies]

A total of 26 boats from Finn class started to compete in the first race followed by 15 boats from Yngling class.

Representing the host country, Song Xiaqun, Yu Yanli, and Li Xiaoni are racing in the Yngling class. In the 2006 and 2007 Qingdao International Regattas, the girls finished third and sixth respectively.

Zhang Peng, 27, is representing China in Finn class.

Among the medal favorites are British Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb crewed on the winning Yngling in Athens, along with their teammate Pippa Wilson.

In Finn class, 25 Finn sailors are trying to prove that the British double-gold medalist Ben Ainslie is beatable. Spain's Rafa Trujillo, silver medalist in Athens, is looking for another medal for his collection.

The Olympic sailing regatta will run from August 9 to 23, with two reserved days.