He has spent 40 years' time between the sky and the sea. He is a four-time Olympian with a large collection of prizes for yachting competitions.

Now a father of four, Santiago Lange, 46, is muscling up for his fifth Olympics -- 2008 Qingdao Sailing Regatta, to represent his country Argentina the best he can.

"The fifth Olympics is a new stage in my life. My only focus in the past four years was to win the Olympic gold," he said, while adjusting his boat in Qingdao Yinhai Yachtsman Training Center.

Santiago Lange participated in the Olympic Games in Seoul 1988, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004, where he was awarded the bronze medal in the Tornado class, together with his teammate and friend Carlos Espinola.

He also won four World Championships (Tornado 2004, Snipe 1985, 1993 and 1995) and a first place in the overall Tornado world ranking with Carlos in 2004.

"Sailing is what I enjoy most in life. It is part of me," he said. "I never took decisions. They came along. I always enjoy what I do and I really like it."

Lange started sailing when he was six, influenced by his father who finished fourth in Helsinki 1952. Having been told by his father that he must go to college, he studied naval architecture at the University of Southampton, England, and takes pride in his shipyard. His sailing career started after that.

Since May, 2008, Lange and his teammate Carlos began training in Qingdao. They sailed about five hours every day, plus one-hour running along the shore.

"When we came back, we had a meeting to analyze the day. We make notes on our techniques and watch videos to evaluate the tests we've done with the sails and the boat," he said, adding that "the wind and the sea condition here are very very difficult. The wind is very light. It is really really challenging."

Their favorite training partners, however, are their competitors -- well-known Austrian Tornado team Hagara and Steinacher, gold medalists in Athens.

"We are both sponsored by the Red Bull and we train together all the time. The training is really of good quality and we can both benefit from each other," said Lange.

"If we sail faster because we adjust something, we will tell them and the vise versa. We fight very hard on the water but we are good friends."

To prepare for the uncertain condition on the sea, Lange and Carlos have yoga exercises for one hour every morning to balance the mind and body. They do a lot of meditation, imaging the whole race and their weak and strong points, feeling the wind and water.

"If it was without yoga, I wouldn't be what I am now," said Lange. "Mental condition is very important for sailing. Some race you might be the last and some first. So yoga gives us inner harmony and control."

Besides yoga, Lange said he had to lose weight to cope with the light wind. Instead of living in the Olympic Village, their Tornado team rent an apartment in Qingdao and cooked by themselves. They had a very light breakfast, some fruits and power bars on the sea and pasta with fish or chicken for dinner.

"I have lost five kilograms for the past three months and will lose as much as possible," he laughed, patting his flat belly.

What sailing has shaped Lange is not only body, but character. He said sailing taught him a lot.

"When I was young, I was always angry and aggressive. Sailing made me realize no matter how hard the nature hit you, you have to control yourself and remain calm," he said.

"Sailing is also a lonely sport. We don't have audience when we sail far from the shore. So we are used to playing for ourselves. Many sailors are kind and modest. They don't like to show off, even when they win the race, they will be very quiet."

Lange said he felt lucky to have a sponsor like the Red Bull and strong support from the Argentine government.

"Sailing has brought many medals for Argentina in world championships. The country also has a lot of good ship designers and ship building companies. More and more children are interested in sailing," said Lange.

"But it is still not a popular sport, only ranked No. 7 or No. 8. In Argentina. Everything is about football, you know," he laughed.

Lange also felt lucky that his favorite sport finally landed him in China, where it is part of the world that he has rarely been to.

"It is so special for me. It's interesting to see another way of living, thinking, eating and everything," said Lange, adding that "people of the whole city are enthusiastic in helping us."

"The foot massages and Qingdao beer really help a lot in recovering from a tiring day," he said.

"The Olympic Games gave me the opportunity to enjoy and to see more. We are working very hard. We are looking forward to the start (of the race)," he said.