PARALYMPIC GAMES: AMERICANS WIN EARLY GOLD Qingdao, China (September 12, 2008) - Nick Scandone (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker (Marblehead, Mass.) clinched the gold medal in the SKUD-18 fleet Friday with two races left to go in the Paralympic regatta. They have 9 points -- including 5 bullets -- after 8 races and are 9 points ahead of their nearest competitor (fleet of 11 boats) The final two races of the regatta are scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, September 13. The medals will also be awarded tomorrow. The regatta includes a maximum of eleven races over five days throughout the week.