For the RS:X course areas A(Yellow) and B(Red) were used. The location (36°1'26"’N, 120°26'52"E) points to the center of the 0.6nm radius Yellow course area and the location (36°2'21"N, 120°25'32"E) points to the center of the 0.6nm radius Red course area. The target time for the course was about 30–35 minutes for the races and 20 minutes for the medal race. The race management could choose from several course configurations.
In the lead up to the Olympics many questioned the choice of Qingdao as a venue with very little predicted wind. During the races the wind was pretty light and quite unpredictable. Due to lack of wind (< 1.6 knots) two racing days had to be postponed.[8]
Scoring system: low-point system;
Legend: – Qualified for medal race(s);DNF – Did not finish;DPI – Discretionary penalty imposed;OCS – On the course side of the starting line;† – Discarded race not counted in the overall result;
Daily standings
Graph showing the daily standings in the Men's RS:X during the 2008 Summer Olympics
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For the medal race the top ten boats qualified. Each position scored double points. All medal races were sailed on course area Yellow in front of the Qingdao International Sailing Centre.