A team of jury members sat in a room that was darkened below the "bridge" of the Olympic sailing ship, where officials were watching the race. They watched the glowing screens showing the high-octane racing of the kiteboards.

The jurors are usually on the water during Olympic sailing events, issuing penalties to speedboats known as RIBS using a traditional flag-system of nautical symbols.

Even the RIBS can't keep up, so some officials have to stay on shore and use footage from drones.

Kiteboarding, billed as the fastest Olympic sport, made its Games debut at Marseille. The kiters tried to avoid wipeouts while they "sent it" around the track.

The extra speed is one of the many factors that officials at the bridge must consider when deciding on whether or not to schedule races. They have to balance the needs of the sport with safety concerns.

One person in the booth of the race officials is responsible for coordinating two drone pilots on the boats. This gives the jury the aerial view they need to determine if the kiteboarders foiling have broken any rules.

The drone coordinator told the kiteboarders to "get ready for the round-marking" as they raced towards the buoys in the semi-finals of the men's competition on Friday.

The officials can also track the kite surfers, who are equipped with chips, live on their boards as they "fly".

The quick-fire race is nearing its end, and they are preparing the pilots on the water to complete the last stretch by saying: "Let's prepare for the gybe" and the "finish leg".

The race is over, and the jury members are now examining any incidents. (Reporting and editing by Ken Ferris; Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)