WHAT promised to be one of the great days in the distinguished history of British Olympic sailing ended in anticlimax and deep frustration in Qingdao, on the Yellow Sea. Two classes were scheduled for the final “medal” races in which double points are at stake. In the Finn, Ben Ainslie was poised to win his third gold medal in successive Games. In the Yngling, Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson were preparing to battle for the gold against the boat from the Netherlands.

Both boats took to the water and Ainslie even sailed almost half a race before the wind died and the dreaded blue-and-white chequered flag was hoisted to signal that the race had been abandoned.

The reason was simple, and had been feared by experts who predicted that the Qingdao venue would prove unsuitable for an Olympic regatta. The Chinese have done wonders in constructing the sailing centre, and have organised the event brilliantly, but they could not arrange for the wind to blow. The two races have been rescheduled for today, wind permitting.

While there was a limp breeze, Ainslie showed us just how ruthless and proficient he can be, and made it clear that whenever his medal race takes place, he will take no prisoners on his way to the gold medal. Only one man, Zach Johnson of the United States, has any chance of denying Ainslie, and his chance is very remote.

The Ynglings went afloat but never came under starter’s orders. Their quest for gold is much more at hazard than Ainslie’s, but they are almost certain to win silver at worst. Their medal race is intriguing, for a crew put together only three weeks before the Games by the Netherlands has proved a worthy rival.

While the British boat has been more consistent, sailing with great precision but without a race win to their name, the Dutch boat has generally been faster and has won three of the eight races completed in the class.

In one of the few races to be completed yesterday, Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield of Britain took third place in the 10th race of the 470 men’s class. Fourth overall, they have a chance of silver or bronze medals when their medal race takes place. It is scheduled for tomorrow.