Lay day delays Robinson's shot at Olympic surfing gold

Jack Robinson must wait another two days for his chance of an Olympic surfing gold as organisers hope for better weather in French Polynesia. 

The final rounds of Olympics surfing competition were postponed on Sunday (AEST), because of unfavorable conditions, with Tuesday (AEST) likely to host the semi finals and medal contests.

Earlier in the week, officials called off heats due to mighty swell from a nearby storm.

As competitors readied for their semi-finals on Sunday, small waves gently lapped against the shore, prompting the lay day call.

Robinson, the Western Australian who triumphed in an all-Australian quarter-final against Ethan Ewing, will meet Brazilian superstar Gabriel Medina in their men's semi-final.

Gabriel Medina
Brazilian Gabriel Medina will have to wait to go airborne again at the Teauhupo'o break.

“The road’s never just straightforward, you always have to push through, step by step," Robinson said of meeting Medina.

"I’m sure its going to be a good match up."

In the other semi-final, Peru's Alonso Correa meets local hope Kauli Vaast, who was born kilometres from the infamous Teahupo'o break hosting the Olympic surfing.

The women's event is also down to the final four, with American Caroline Marks facing Frenchwoman Johanne Defay in one semi, and Brazil's Tatiana Weston-Webb meeting Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy in the other.

The winner of those semi-finals will compete for gold, while the losers have another shot for a medal in a bronze surf-off.

Every medal winner will be standing on the Olympic podium for the first time after Tokyo champion Carissa Moore was beaten in the quarter-finals.

The surfing competition requires four full days to complete, with organisers enjoying a 10-day window to schedule all of the heats.

Organisers use the surf forecast, which predicts when swells are expected to arrive, as well as the angle and size of the waves, to pick the best days for competition.

Technical delegates will meet on Monday afternoon (AEST) to make a decision on the next likely date for the final heats.

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