Sailing conditions please competitors on day two

The second day of sailing at the Sol2023 Pacific Games benefited from better winds than day one and saw action in both the men’s sailboard (windsurfing) and women’s individual dinghy sailing.

Athletes from Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Wallis and Futuna enjoyed time on the water.

Abusufia Wamekeni, a Sol2023 sailing technical official, summarised the day’s conditions.

“Today was a good windy day with expected speed, and we managed to complete four races, unlike the first day where we completed just two races for group A men’s windsurfing and women’s sailing, due to the decreased wind speed,” she said.

Samuel Launey from the New Caledonia men’s sailing team was excited after completing the first two races in group B sailboard individual lightweight male in the early part of the day.

“We had two races this morning. One in quite light wind and the other one in quite a good breeze, so I’m really happy with that. I won both races so I’m very happy now,” he said.

In the women’s events, 14-year-old Maia Rapin from Wallis and Futuna took to the waters in her first ever international competition. The young talent said: “It was hard because there is lots of wind, but it was good, because I think I did my best.”

Sol2023 Sailing Competition Manager Patrick Maelaua encouraged supporters to come down, enjoy the rare sight of elite sailing in the waters off Honiara, and support athletes from all nations.

The sailing action continues on Wednesday at DC Park from 10am. Entry is free.

By Elron Dokese and Willie Fafale, Pacific Games News Service