Olympic Sailing 2024: Goyard gives France early edge in Men’s Windsurfing

All iQFOiL races were postponed yesterday due to light wind, but the action eventually got underway on Day Three.

However, the men were only able to complete one race before persisting light winds prevented any further action.

Reigning world champion Nicolo Renna impressed initially, closely trailing behind Goyard to put Italy in the mix.

Denmark’s Johan Bornemann Soe finished behind them in third with a strong opening performance.

Goyard said: “I felt really good. I felt quick, physically ready. It feels good to be starting finally.

“We’ve been preparing for over six months and it’s good to be out there finally and giving it my all. So I’m happy with how it went. I’m ready, I’ve never felt so good so let’s go for it.”

Renna Said: “I’m really happy about the day. Let’s hope tomorrow for some wind – I’m ready for the action.

“You have to drink a lot out here, because it’s super warm. I’m going to try and stay in the top three and enter the Semi-Final. You need to be ready for the last day.”

How it works:

Medals for the windsurfing (iQFOiL) will be decided by the cumulative results of the 24 athletes over 20 races. The athlete with the lowest total will rank first.

There are three race formats – the Marathon Race, Slalom and Course Racing. Because it’s a longer 60-minute race, the Marathon will be scored as two races.

Athletes will be able to discard their worst three finishing positions after they’ve completed 16 or more races.

At the end of the Opening Series, the top ten athletes will qualify for the Medal Series. Those ranked fourth to tenth compete in a Quarter-Final, with the top two reaching the Semi-Final.

They will then face the athletes that finished second and third in the Opening Series. Two will progress from the Semi-Final, joining the top overall athlete in the Final.

The three athletes in the Final are all guaranteed a medal, so the finishing order in the Final race will determine who wins what medal.