Sailing-Debut women's windsurfing marathon abandoned as wind wanes

MARSEILLE, France : Racing in the debut women's windsurfing marathon was abandoned on Wednesday as the wind faded during a gruelling hour for the Olympic sailors off Marseille.

After a dramatic start, where a power boat whizzed across the front of the fleet to signal the off, the race developed into a slow slog, with the windsurfers dropping off the foils and having to 'pump' their sails to propel themselves.

Eventually, after Israel's Sharon Kantor had led for most of the legs completed, the organisers opted to abandon, an official boat speeding in front of the fleet and flying the flag signalling that the race was over.

The marathon, which counts as two races in the series, was meant to last between 60 and 90 minutes. It will not be re-run on Wednesday, with race scheduling and the wind forecast making it potentially difficult to now fit into these Games.

The men's marathon was due to take place too on Wednesday, but was postponed due to the light wind conditions.