By Neto Baptiste
Kite-boarder Tiger Tyson will have to settle for a 17th place finish overall in the Men’s Kite event at this year’s Paris Olympics after races on Wednesday’s fourth and final day of the prelims were hampered by poor wind conditions in Marseille, France.
The Antigua and Barbuda athlete was in fourth position during the day’s opening race when action was stopped by officials due to low wind. Racing never resumed, meaning that athletes were only able to complete a total of seven of 16 scheduled races in the event.
The lack of wind at the Marseille venue has been a major challenge for riders since the start of the competition with Sunday’s opening day being the only time athletes were able to complete all four races.
Team leader and Tiger’s father, Michael Tyson, said his son is extremely disappointed with the outcome.
“He feels like he’s let a lot of people down, and the country, which he hasn’t at all. He just feels disappointed in himself, but everyone has got to be very proud of what he has achieved just to get here and we are very proud of what he has done, and he should be too because it was not an easy achievement,” he said.
Michael also questioned the decision to utilize the location in Marseille given that conditions are not usually conducive this time of the year.
“We’re wondering why this location was actually chosen in the first place because July and August, the winds are just non-existent basically, and there are so many other places in France they can race but they chose Marseille for some reason. It’s got a little wind here though, but it just doesn’t come up every day so Tiger, racing on the first day, had a bad day with the kites being in the water because of not much wind, and then they are expecting to have another 12 races after that where you can catch up on,” he said.
Only the top 10 athletes advance to the medal rounds.
After another windless day on Tuesday Tiger Tysonfell one spot in the Men’s Kite event, moving from the 16th to the 17th position in the overall rankings.
Competitors were only able to complete two of four scheduled races on Tuesday due to low levels of wind in which Tyson finished in the 19th and nine positions respectively. The athlete, following a slow start on Sunday’s opening day, improved on day two of the competition. The Antigua and Barbuda athlete jumped two spaces, moving from 19th to 17th following Monday’s (August 5) action on the high seas.
