Paris 2024 Olympics: Grae Morris, new iQFOiL sailors star on day two of Games regatta in Marseille

The newest Olympic sailing class - where guns dress for danger with impact vests and helmets - kicked off in a light breeze but the coolest kids in the sport still stole the show.

Windsurfers competing for the first time at the Olympic regatta Picture: Clement Mahoudeau/AFP

The debut of the iQFOil was initially foiled by Marseille’s maddening weather but got underway on day two of the Olympics as the sport looks to reimagine itself to attract new followers, TV and a new generation of sailors with a need for speed.

Able to reach speeds in excess of 60km/h an hour in stronger wind, the iQFOiLs still managed an impressive 40km/h plus at times in the one men’s race officials were able to run in the fluctuating breeze.

But it was frustrating for the sailors whose one short course race lasted less than five minutes despite them being on the water for around five hours.

“It happens. Hopefully we get more races in at the end of the regatta,’’ said a laid-back Grae Morris, the 20-year-old racing for Australia and who was in fourth place when the second race was abandoned due to a lack of breeze.

Morris and coach Arthur Brett spend much of the day sitting under a giant umbrella on the coach boat keeping hydrated and chatting.

Italy's Nicolo Renna and New Zealand's Josh Armit racing the foiling windsurfer. Picture: Clement MAHOUDEAU/AFP)

“We were just sharing some fun stories out there, chatting away,’’ Morris said.

While Morris put a 14th on his scorecard, the 49erFX team of Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine had a day to remember as the first Australians to post a top three at the Olympic regatta.

“To come away with a third place in the last race has made us really happy,’’ said Price,who said the choppy conditions on her racecourse had them submarining during the racing.

Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine of Team Australia and Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea of Team United States racing.

“The second race wasn’t our best foot forward so to be able to reset and keep going was what we wanted to do.

“Its is hard to see how choppy it is. We are submarining at points going upwind. I’m at the back of the foot strap trying to keep the bow out of the water. Its awkward.’’

Spectators have probably been enjoying the light wind days a little bit more than our sailors.

There’s not many sporting events in the world where you can spectate and have a cooling dip at the same time but that’s what fans have been doing from the foreshore of the Mediterranean.

Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine in Marseille. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The site at Prado Beach has an uninterrupted view of the courses close and far.

Waiting sailors were not as lucky, seeking out any bit of shade they could to stay cool on and off the water in the heat at the regatta which is expected to see temperatures rear to 40 degrees at stages during the first week

Australian results at the end of the second day of the Olympic sailing regatta

49erFX: Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine. Posted a 7th, 11th and 3rd to be fifth overall

iQFOiL: Grae Morris posted a 13th to be 13th overall.

49er skiff: Jim Colley and Shaun Connor posted a 10th, 14th and 10th to be 16th overall