"We are looking forward to an exciting August here in Qingdao as we try to win the top six in each event. Our goal is to win four medals, at least one gold," said Stephen Park, captain of the British sailing team.

Britain has one of the most powerful sailing teams in Qingdao. A total of 18 athletes are competing in all 11 Olympic events.

They are most competitive in the 49er, Finn, Laser and Yngling classes. Without an accident they are almost certain to be the biggest winners in the sailing competition of this Olympics.

After the past six competition days, Britain holds the top ranking in the Finn class, a result registered by veteran sailor Ben Ainslie.

Ainslie, winner of two Olympic gold medals - in Sydney and Athens - and a silver at the Atlanta Games, was also the champion of the 2006 and 2007 Qingdao International Sailing Regattas.

He has won eight world and European titles, was crowned ISAF World Sailor of the Year in 1998 and 2002, and four times was named UK's Yachtsman of the Year.

Whether he can continue the feat is one of the biggest questions at the 2008 Olympic sailing competition.

"It's difficult when people just expect you to win and probably secretly hope that you lose for a change," Ainslie said. "Pressure is something you just have to deal with and it doesn't get easier, but it is also part of the thrill of competing at the highest level."

Nick Dempsey was the bronze-medal winner in the Mistral class in Athens and a bronze medalist in the Cascais 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championship. As his 28th birthday approaches, Dempsey said the best present he hopes for is an Olympics gold.

His girlfriend, Sarah Ayton is also a world-class sailor in the Yngling class - she won a gold medal in Athens.

Saskia Clark, another member of the British team, also has a wish for her 29th birthday. "The one with a gold medal is my favorite," she said.

"Sail for Gold 2008" emblazons the name cards and clothes of British sailors and coaches, showing their ambition is no secret.

The British team's preparation for Qingdao started two years ago. They have studied the sailing venue's meteorological data going back to 2006.

They have now been in Qingdao since June.

"We came here for training every summer after Athens. We are familiar with the wind and environment here," said Ian Barker, the British coach of the 49er class.

"We have brought our own chefs and the food is brought here from our country strictly according to plans made by our nutritionists to make sure that dishes satisfy both our taste and body."

"Medical has also been well arranged," he said.

In Athens the UK team harvested two golds, one silver and two bronzes. At the 2007 World Championship, they won two golds and four bronzes.

In the 2007 Qingdao International Sailing Regatta, Britain topped the medal tally with five golds and one silver in all 11 events.

Tomorrow two medal races will be held - in the Finn and Yngling classes.

(China Daily August 15, 2008)