In the sea off Marseille:

Chasing medals in a ski suit at over 30 degrees

Valentin Bontus will be hunting for medals in the Formula Kite on Thursday with a ski suit specially made for him by the ÖSV.(Bild: Matthias Mödl)

Winter material as a trump card in the hot summer! Valentin Bontus goes on the hunt for medals in the Formula Kite on Thursday before Marseille wearing an ÖSV ski suit. The custom-made suit was even tested in the wind tunnel.

As Valentin Pontus withdrew his protest against his disqualification in one of Tuesday's races in the evening, the 23-year-old will start the Formula Kite medal race on Thursday at 1pm in fourth place. In the hunt for a medal, the beefy athlete from the Podersdorf Yacht Club will be wearing a ski suit specially tailored for him by the Austrian Ski Association.

Valentin Bontus goes for a medal in the Formula Kite on Thursday.(Bild: AFP/APA/Christophe SIMON)

Scarf at over 30 degrees Celsius
The 23-year-old explains: "We even tested it in the wind tunnel. It is extremely comfortable to wear. When it's damp, it keeps the skin nice and cool." Also noticeable on Wednesday was the thick layer of zinc cream applied to his face: "The best protection from the sun." For this reason, he also wore a (damp) scarf in temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius.

Valentin Bontus clearly protected himself from the sun on Wednesday and posed with the surfer's salute.(Bild: Matthias Mödl)

The 23-year-old, who has already won bronze at this year's World Championships off Hyeres in France, is taking a relaxed approach to the medal race: "I'm very proud of what I've already achieved. I already feel like a winner. The starting position is very good, I'm confident."