|
Heavy fog and small waves on Thursday meant the
start of the four-day surfing test event at Shidashita Beach,
some 60 kilometers north-west of Tokyo, was delayed for an hour.
Organizers also had to contend with the more unexpected
challenge of a sea turtle laying her eggs overnight, just 10
meters from the judges' viewing area.
Once the fog had lifted and the first heats began, there were
periods of heavy rain mixed with bright sunshine, a further
indicator of the unpredictable conditions surfers are used to
but present a challenge to one of the Olympics' newest sports.
"We depend on mother nature, we depend on the natural conditions
as they present themselves," International Surfing Association
Executive Director Robert Fasulo told reporters on the beach
during a rare window of sunshine.
"We are very confident and part of the reason why we are here in
this period is to see how the conditions are running during the
format.
"I think that, from what we have seen, and we are on schedule,
that the conditions are absolutely adequate."
SMALL WAVES
Organizers expected waves to average between 1-1.5 meters during
the test event and that this would be acceptable, if not
perfect, if replicated next year, Fasulo said.
"This is absolutely contestable conditions if you look and see
there are some great waves being ridden," he added.
"Yesterday was beautiful, although of course it wasn't a
competition day (and this) has shown to us that this is
absolutely a good location for a high class, a world class,
surfing competition."
Shidashita Beach was chosen by organizers as it has some of the
most consistent waves in Japan and should allow for the four
days of Olympic competition to be completed in its eight-day
window of July 26-Aug. 2 next year.
Surfers competing in the event agreed the conditions were
probably the best in the country, even if the waves later in the
morning were disappointing.
"I often come here to practice and there are good waves," said
Shino Matsuda, who won the Japan Open on Shidashita Beach in
2018. "But (the) waves were smaller than usual today."
The smaller waves mean surfers can expect a tight, technical
contest.
"The waves were a bit small and there were tides too, so waves
were breaking so fast that it was difficult to surf," added
Hiroto Ohhara, who added that the Chiba coastline was the best
surfing Japan has to offer.
Qualification for surfing at the 2020 Olympics has already
started, with 20 places available for both men and women.
(Reporting by Jack Tarrant; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
