The surf forecast is the biggest determinant of when the surfing competition will take place, predicting when swells are expected to arrive. Delays due to poor conditions are normal, with organisers having a 10-day window to run four days of heats.

Last week, the women's round of 16 and the men's quarter-finals were also postponed due to unfavourable wind conditions affecting wave formation.

The final showdown in surfing will prove to be thrilling. With none of the podium finishers from Tokyo 2020 making the semi-finals in Teahupo’o, the crowns are up for grabs. Defending champion Carissa Moore was ousted last Thursday by Johanne Defay of France.

"When you come up short of a dream, it sucks," Moore the five-time world champion said after her loss. Tahiti’s own Kauli Vaast will be looking to claim the top prize on his home turf. The 22-year-old has been cheered on all week by fans in his proud French Polynesian Island. 

"I feel good, I’ve got good boards. Super-stoked to be into the next one. I will keep the routine, keep the momentum and try to enjoy, even more," Vaast told Olympics.com. 

Vaast is slated to go against Peru’s Alonso Correa who has eliminated Olympic silver medallist Kanoa Igarashi and two-time world champion Filipe Toledo earlier in the competition. Three-time world champion Gabriel Medina of Brazil is also through to the semis and will face Australia’s Jack Robinson.

In the absence of Moore, Caroline Marks will be looking to keep Olympic gold in the USA. Standing in her way is Defay, the Frenchwoman who eliminated her teammate. 

Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica will face Tatiana Weston-Webb in the semis. Brazilian Weston-Webb scored the first-ever perfect 10 by a woman in the Tahiti Pro just three months ago and will no doubt be looking to repeat the feat. 

Surfing competition is expected to resume on Monday at 19:00 CEST, with official call at 18:15 CEST.