First medals in sailing set for Saturday

QUINGDAO, China, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Ben Ainslie of Britain maintained a 12-point lead Friday over American Zach Railey with one race remaining in the Olympic Finn sailing class.

After all sailing was wiped out Thursday by thunderstorms, the winds calmed during the afternoon Friday, leading to further postponements and cancellations. There had been 27 races scheduled Friday in all 11 sailing classes.

One of the canceled races came in the Finn class, leaving only Saturday's closing race to decide the medals. Railey will need a major mistake from Ainslie to overtake him for the gold.

American Anna Tunnicliffe, meanwhile, held the lead in the women's Laser Radial class through four races. She had a five-point advantage over Gintare Volungeviciute of Lithuania.

In addition to the Finn class, a gold medal will be handed out Saturday in the women's Yngling competition.

The three-woman crew from Britain will have a one-point lead over the Netherlands going into the final race. Greece and the United States are too far back to challenge for the goal, but are separated by only one point in a battle for the bronze.