With a typhoon sitting off the Taiwan coast, event organizers at the Taiwan Open of Surfing hosted by Taitung County Government were greeted this morning with large windy and unruly conditions.
With a lack of opportunities on offer for competitors and their safety in mind, WSL Australasia tour manager Will Hayden-Smith had no choice but to call a lay day.
"Unfortunately we have to put the contest on hold today," Hayden-Smith said. "We have watched it for two hours this morning and conditions are not looking like improving, not only are the conditions not really contestable for the competitors, we are unsure it is even safe out there today."
Flags flailing in gale force winds at the event site this morning - WSL
With the typhoon tracking further off the coast over the next few days it's looking like conditions will improve throughout tomorrow and the last days of the event window.
"After looking at the forecast we are confident that the wind should be lighter tomorrow and continue to drop out through Saturday and Sunday. It will mean the next three days will be packed full of heats, which will make for plenty of exciting action in both the men's QS 1,500 and the men's and women's longboard events"
Check back tomorrow at www.worldsurfleague.com for information on the Taiwan Open of Surfing and for the live webcast of the event.
Lay Day called at Taiwan Open of Surfing
WSL Communications
With a typhoon sitting off the Taiwan coast, event organizers at the Taiwan Open of Surfing hosted by Taitung County Government were greeted this morning with large windy and unruly conditions.
With a lack of opportunities on offer for competitors and their safety in mind, WSL Australasia tour manager Will Hayden-Smith had no choice but to call a lay day.
"Unfortunately we have to put the contest on hold today," Hayden-Smith said. "We have watched it for two hours this morning and conditions are not looking like improving, not only are the conditions not really contestable for the competitors, we are unsure it is even safe out there today."
With the typhoon tracking further off the coast over the next few days it's looking like conditions will improve throughout tomorrow and the last days of the event window.
"After looking at the forecast we are confident that the wind should be lighter tomorrow and continue to drop out through Saturday and Sunday. It will mean the next three days will be packed full of heats, which will make for plenty of exciting action in both the men's QS 1,500 and the men's and women's longboard events"
Check back tomorrow at www.worldsurfleague.com for information on the Taiwan Open of Surfing and for the live webcast of the event.
Taiwan Open of Surfing
Tony Silvagni and Crystal Walsh win Taiwan Open LQS divisions.
Perth Standlick, Tony Silvani and Crystal Walsh reign supreme in QS1,500 and LQS divisions.
Longboarders revelling in the long clean waves in Taiwan
Quarterfinalists decided in Men's LQS and QS1,500 and semifinalists decided for women's LQS
Day one action at Taiwan Open lives up to the hype.
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