Sailing-Men's skiff medal race abandoned as wind dies

MARSEILLE, France : The men's Olympic skiff medal race was abandoned on Thursday after officials decided that there was not enough wind to complete the 10-boat double-points race.

Spain's Diego Botin and Florian Trittel had taken an early lead to the first mark, but when they swung round and hoisted their spinnaker to head back down the course they sailed into a hole in the breeze, rapidly dropping places on leg two.

Officials then signalled that the race had been stopped.

The pair go into the final race of the series with the lowest score, which is what decides the winner in sailing.

There was no immediate indication when the deciding race in the men's skiff series would be re-run.

Officials said that the women's skiff medal race, which was due to be held after the men's, was postponed. No timing was given for a revised start time.