iQFoil Games Lanzarote 2025

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25' iQGames #1 Lanzarote | iQFOIL Class

Get ready for the iQFOiL Europeans! One of our biggest events of the year will be held in Cagliari, this location is known to bring some tricky racing for all…

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spannend wie der wechsel auf die kleineren segel kommt, besonders auf die neuen 7,3er bin ich gespannt

Daumendrück für ITA4

keine ahnung wer da wo mitfährt

mMn ist die teilnahme da offen, ausser eine nation führt intern eine quali ein

spannend auch wie die liefersituation mit den 7,3er segeln wirklich aussehen wird.

bis jetzt sind erst 39 women gemeldet, soviele segel sollten hoffentlich da sein für das erste event

richtig

die 9,0er sind weg

8,0er solltes es genug geben, weil die waren ja bisher damen und U19 segel

masten dürfen abgesägt werden

aber die 7,3er sind komplett neu, die sind noch kaum verfügbar, die erste serienware gibts jetzt in lanzarote

MARINA RUBICÓN IN LANZAROTE TO HOST THE FIRST iQFOiL INTERNATIONAL GAMES OF THE LOS ANGELES 2028 OLYMPIC CYCLE

The road to Los Angeles begins in the Canary islands with world-class athletes, new rules, and thrilling competition

Lanzarote, Spain, 27^th January 2025 — The iQFOiL Class is ready to set the tone for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle as Marina Rubicón welcomes the first iQFOiL International Games of the new Olympic cycle. From January 28 to February 2, this stunning venue will host five days of high-octane racing amidst the iconic volcanic landscapes, steady trade winds, and year-round sunshine that make Lanzarote a sailor’s paradise.

As one of the premier destinations for iQFOiL competition, Lanzarote has become a staple in the International Games circuit. This marks the third consecutive year that Marina Rubicón has partnered with the iQFOiL Class to deliver world-class events, following last year’s highly successful World Championships and Olympic qualifiers. Once again these events have been made possible thanks to the institutional support of the Tourism area of the Lanzarote Cabildo through the sports product European Sports Destination (managed by SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote), the Yaiza City Council and the collaboration of the Royal Canarian Sailing Federation, and the private entities Dinghycoach

NEW RULES FOR A NEW ERA

This year’s Games will see the introduction of updated rules and equipment, signaling the iQFOiL Class’s commitment to inclusivity, athlete progression, and innovation. The most notable changes include:

• Sail Sizes Reimagined: Men will now race with 8m² sails, while women will compete with newly designed 7.3m² sails. These changes aim to create a fairer playing field for athletes of all body types and ensure an easier transition from youth to senior fleets, with aligned sail sizes reducing costs and training adjustments.

• A Revamped Medal Race Format: The iQFOiL Games in Lanzarote will mark the debut of a testing process for a new medal series format that introduces several significant updates to enhance fairness and excitement. In this revamped structure, only the top 8 athletes from the Opening Series will advance to the medal series, compared to the previous 10. The knockout system remains in place for the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals, with athletes ranked 8th to 5th starting in the Quarter-Finals and the top 2 advancing to join the 3rd and 4th ranked athletes in the Semi-Finals. From there, 2 more will move on to the Grand Final, which now features 4 athletes instead of 3. Notably, the top 2 athletes from the Opening Series automatically qualify for the Grand Final, with the Opening Series leader carrying forward 1 win, giving them an advantage. The ultimate champion will be crowned in the Grand Final based on the number of wins, with the first athlete to achieve 2 victories securing the title. These changes aim to reward consistency and elevate the level of competition for all participants.

STAR-STUDDED LINEUP

The first event of the new Olympic cycle has drawn an impressive fleet of athletes, including some of the biggest names in the sport.

In the men’s fleet, eight competitors from the Paris 2024 Olympics will be on the start line, led by former Olympic champion Kiran Badloe (NED), with 2024 World Champion Nicolo Renna (ITA), European Champion Pawel Tarnowski (POL), and U23 World Champion Finn Hawkins (GBR) promising tight competition.

The women’s fleet also speaks of equally intense competition, with Olympic champion Marta Maggetti (ITA) and Paris 2024 bronze medalist Emma Wilson (GBR) headlining the action. Rising stars such as Darcey Shaw (GBR), U19 World Champion, and Shahar Tibi (ISR), 2023 World Champion, will also be vying for glory.

A CHAPTER BEGINS

The iQFOiL International Games #1 in Lanzarote is more than just the start of a new Olympic cycle – it’s a showcase of the class’s evolution. With established champions defending their titles and fresh talent looking to shake up the leaderboard, this event sets the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable journey to Los Angeles 2028.

The future of windsurfing starts here.

EXCELLENT CONDITIONS AND HIGH-INTENSITY RACING ON DAY 2 OF THE iQFOiL INTERNATIONAL GAMES IN LANZAROTE

Four Course Races for the Men and Five for the Women in Breezy 20+ Knots

Lanzarote, Spain, January 30, 2025 – The second day of the iQFOiL International Games at Marina Rubicón delivered another thrilling day of racing, with wind well above 20 knots, gusting up to 30, and near-perfect flat-water conditions. It was a productive day for the 100 athletes from 26 nations, as the men completed four course races while the women managed to catch up with five.

The men were the first to start at 11, led by Denmark’s 21-year-old Johan Søe (DEN 37), who impressed with two race wins, a second, and a third. His outstanding performance propelled him to the top of the leaderboard after two days of competition.

“I had a very good day. The conditions were fantastic, and I enjoyed it a lot,” commented Søe. “So far, I’m loving the new sail – it feels great, especially in strong wind. It’s also exciting to see more young sailors, even from my country, pushing hard and making the fleet more competitive.”

France’s Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465), renowned for his speed records, sits in second overall. Despite challenging moments on the shifty outer course, Goyard’s consistent finishes kept him near the top. Italy’s Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) holds third place, thanks to a race win but slowed down by a couple of double-digit scores.

“It was a windy day again, with over 20 knots, but a bit shifty, especially for us on the outer course,” said Goyard. “The new 8m² sail is fun in strong breeze – it allows us to push harder downwind and reach better top speeds. It’s fast and more enjoyable and it doesn’t change much in terms of racing tactics.”

The women’s fleet had a slightly longer day, completing five course races. Poland’s Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6) claimed two race wins, but Great Britain’s Emma Wilson (GBR 7), the Paris 2024 bronze medalist, was the most consistent of the day. With a win, two seconds, and a discardable seventh place, Wilson is just one point behind the current leader, Shahar Tibi (ISR 3), who managed to hold her position.

“It was a tricky day on the water, but I’m happy to be leading after five races in very shifty conditions,” reflected Tibi. “I stayed consistent in the first four races, but I made some mistakes in the last one. Thankfully, it didn’t hurt my overall result.”

Notably, two U23 sailors are making their presence felt in the men’s fleet. Søe leads the standings, while Spain’s Nacho Baltasar (ESP 4), sits in fourth. In the women’s fleet, two U23 sailors are also performing well, currently ranked ninth and tenth, just shy of the Medal Series cut.

With the Opening Series now halfway through, anticipation builds for more windy racing tomorrow. Saturday’s schedule may include the Marathon race, leading to Sunday’s Medal Series on February 2, where the first champions of the 2025 season will be crowned.

Event Partners

The 2025 iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote are organized by Marina Rubicón, with sponsorship from Turismo Lanzarote through its sports tourism product, "Lanzarote Sports Destination." Additional support comes from the Cabildo de Lanzarote through the Insular Sports Service, the Art, Culture, and Tourism Centres of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Yaiza Town Hall, the Canary Islands Sailing Federation, DinghyCoach, and the Latin Sailing Federations.

DAY 3 AT THE IQFOIL INTERNATIONAL GAMES IN LANZAROTE: ITALY’S MODENA SHINES AS FLEETS COMPLETE FOUR MORE RACES

The 20-year-old wins three of four course races in very windy conditions

Lanzarote, Spain, January 31, 2025 – Another day of amazing conditions greeted the 100 athletes at the iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote in Marina Rubicón, with four course races completed in each fleet under winds from north-east exceeding 20 knots and rough sea state. The first race was a trapezoid, with the Men starting on the outer course, but that area was very shifty ad gusty, so PRO Ewa Jodlowska then kept both fleet on the same windward/leeward course for the remaining three races. The intense breeze set the stage for another day of intense battles on the water, with top sailors consolidating their positions and others making significant moves in the overall standings.

In the Men’s fleet, 20-year-old Manolo Modena (ITA 27) delivered an impressive performance, winning three of the day’s four races and securing a fourth in the final one. His incredible showing moved him to fifth place overall and firmly established him as a rising star in the fleet. Despite not having his best day, Johan Søe (DEN 37), just one year older than Modena, retained the overall lead, holding off Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465) in second, who is now 16 points behind. Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) sits in third, though his scorecard is tainted by a high discard of 36th today.

“It was just a very good day today for me”, commented an excited Manolo Modena, “I barely believe it, I was enjoying it. In the previous days I had a feeling that I had speed but somehow wasn’t showing, and finally today everything started to work together”.

In the Women’s fleet, Emma Wilson (GBR 7) reclaimed the lead with a dominant two-race win performance. The Paris Olympic 2024 Bronze medalist now sits five points ahead of Shahar Tibi (ISR 3), who had a more mixed day but remains within very close distance in second. Theresa Steinlein (GER 799) moved up to third overall, showing consistency throughout the week. Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6) dropped just one point off the podium event though she claimed a win today.

“The day on the water was amazing”, said Anastasia Valkevich back ashore. “It was tricky, windy and gusty, but fun and I am happy of my performance, I will keep pushing until the end”.

Looking Ahead: The Marathon

Tomorrow, the athletes will face the highly anticipated Marathon race, which will take them from Marina Rubicón to the island of Los Lobos, just off the coast of Fuerteventura, and back to Lanzarote. The Marathon is the ultimate endurance test – a demanding one-hour race where consistency and stamina make the difference. This unique course featuring a rabbit start and double-point scoring, offers a real opportunity for shakeups in the standings.

The competition will then culminate on Sunday with the Medal Series, where the top eight athletes in each fleet will compete for the first titles of the year in a knockout format.

Event Partners

The 2025 iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote are organized by Marina Rubicón, with sponsorship from Turismo Lanzarote through its sports tourism product, "Lanzarote Sports Destination." Additional support comes from the Cabildo de Lanzarote through the Insular Sports Service, the Art, Culture, and Tourism Centres of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Yaiza Town Hall, the Canary Islands Sailing Federation, DinghyCoach, and the Latin Sailing Federations.

Full Results

Gallery

Photo Credit ©Sailing Energy / iQFOiL Class

EMMA WILSON AND JOHAN SØE TRIUMPH AT THE INAUGURAL 2025 iQFOiL INTERNATIONAL GAMES IN LANZAROTE
The overall leaders of the Opening Series confirmed in the Medal Series

Lanzarote, Spain – February 2, 2025 – The #1 iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote came to an exciting conclusion today with the Medal Series crowning Johan Søe (DEN 37) and Emma Wilson (GBR 7) as the first champions of the 2025 season. Hosted by Marina Rubicón, the event brought together 100 of the world’s best iQFOiL athletes from 26 nations, kicking off the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle in style.

The final day’s Medal Series delivered great expectations, as the new format provided an engaging and dynamic conclusion. The challenging conditions, with gusty and shifty winds, from the North ranging from 10 to 16 knots, added to the intensity, pushing the athletes to give their very best.

Emma Wilson Claims Victory in the Women’s Fleet

Emma Wilson, the 2024 Paris Bronze medalist, showcased her dominance throughout the week, entering the Grand Final as the Opening Series leader. She started with a win as a reward for her consistent performance and secured her second win in the Grand Final, enough for her to claim the top spot.

The day began with the Women’s Quarter-Final featuring Islay Watson (GBR 20), Sara Wenneke (NED 33), Theresa Steinlein (GER 799), and Palma Čargo (CRO 9). Watson and Čargo advanced to the Semi-Final, where they faced Marta Maggetti (ITA 157) and Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6). Watson and Valkevich earned their spots in the Grand Final, joining Wilson and Shahar Tibi (ISR 3).

Wilson led the Grand Final from start to finish, proving her consistency and skill in challenging conditions. Shahar Tibi finished second overall, followed by Islay Watson in third, Valkevich in fourth, and Maggetti in fifth.

“It’s been an amazing week here in Lanzarote,” said Wilson after the race. “The Medal Series was intense, I haven’t done well in the Medal Series, but the new format with the two-bullet win had me somehow less stressed. I’m thrilled to start the season with a win, I am not normally a strong wind person but the new sail is undoubtedly a good change for the fleet.”

Johan Søe Wins in the Men’s Fleet

The Men’s Medal Series was a true test of resilience and skill. Twenty-one-year-old Johan Søe, who led the Opening Series, faced fierce competition but managed to recover from an early crash to win the Grand Final and claim the title.

The Quarter-Final saw 20-year-old Manolo Modena (ITA 27), Kiran Badloe (NED 9), Rytis Jasiunas (LTU 7), and Adrien Mestre (FRA 4) battling for two spots in the Semi-Final. Modena and Badloe advanced to join Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465) and Nacho Baltasar (ESP 4). Once again, Modena and Badloe emerged victorious, setting up an epic Grand Final with Søe and Nicolò Renna (ITA 150).

The Grand Final opened with high tension as Søe crashed in the first downwind, allowing Renna to secure the first win. The decisive second race saw Søe maintain his composure, taking the lead at the windward mark and holding it to the finish. Modena finished second in the final race, with Renna third and Badloe fourth, due to a crash at the top mark.

The final ranking then sees Johan Søe first, followed by Nicolò Renna second - as he has a win in the Grand Final - Manolo Modena third and Kiran Badloe fourth - as their finishing order in the very last race.

“This whole week was very good for me,” Søe commented. “And the grand final as well turned out to be a success. The first one was bad for me as I crashed soon after the start in a jybe, luckily no damage to the equipment and I was able to finish the race and win the following one. It is great to start the year with a win!”

Looking Ahead

The #1 iQFOiL International Games has set the tone for an exciting 2025 season. With athletes now heading back to their training bases, the focus shifts to the next major events: the #2 iQFOiL International Games in Cádiz from March 8 to 14 and the Trofeo Princesa Sofía in Palma from March 28 to April 5.

This event not only marked the start of the new Olympic cycle but also had the new sails racing for the first time, with everybody enjoying the change, and tested a new Medal Series format, which proved a success in rewarding consistency.

A special thanks to Marina Rubicón and the organizers for delivering a flawless event that continues to solidify Lanzarote’s reputation as a prime destination for Olympic-class sailing.

Top 8 – Women

1. Emma Wilson (GBR 7)
2. Shahar Tibi (ISR 3)
3. Islay Watson (GBR 20)
4. Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6)
5. Marta Maggetti (ITA 157)

Top 5 – Men

1. Johan Søe (DEN 37)
2. Nicolò Renna (ITA 150)
3. Manolo Modena (ITA 27)
4. Kiran Badloe (NED 9)
5. Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465)
6. Nacho Baltasar (ESP 4)

Event Partners

The 2025 iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote are organized by Marina Rubicón, with sponsorship from Turismo Lanzarote through its sports tourism product, "Lanzarote Sports Destination." Additional support comes from the Cabildo de Lanzarote through the Insular Sports Service, the Art, Culture, and Tourism Centres of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Yaiza Town Hall, the Canary Islands Sailing Federation, DinghyCoach, and the Latin Sailing Federations.

Full Results

Gallery

Photo Credit ©Sailing Energy / iQFOiL Class