A total of 150 riders from 44 nations were due to resume play only for adverse conditions to stop proceedings as thunder, lighting and rain hit the Sardinian course.

A lack of wind also led to officials to make the decision that will see the end of the qualifying phase of the event take place tomorrow when the conditions are expected to be more favourable for riders.

France's Axel Mazella and Slovenia's Toni Vodisek share the men's lead after the first day of competition.

Mazella and Vodisek both won each of their four races in their fleet on the first day on Poetto Beach.

American five-time world champion Daniela Moroz occupies top spot in the women's standings after triumphing in all four contests.

France's Lauriane Nolot won three of her four races and finished second in the other to sit just behind Moroz in the series standings.

The Formula Kite kitesurfing class is set to make its Olympic debut in sailing competitions at Paris 2024.

Two-time Olympian Stevie Morrison, who is working with British rider Ellie Aldridge, is among the coaches helping kiteboarders prepare for the Olympics in two years’ time.

"Racing with kites is still sailboat racing," said Morrison.

"It’s high-speed decision-making, a bit like in skiffs like the 49er where I came from, but obviously quite a bit faster, sometimes not that far off the speed of SailGP.

"Whatever you’re sailing, some of the campaigning principles are the same, which is why you see a lot of knowledge coming into the kite fleet from other parts of the sport.

"And we’re learning a lot from the kite athletes too."