iQFoil Worlds Aarhus 2025

iQFOiL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 – DAY 2: NO RACING, BUT SPIRITS STAY HIGH IN AARHUS

The waiting game was on today at the Aarhus International Sailing Center for the 200 athletes here to claim the World Title

Aarhus, Denmark – 7 July 2025 – Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay. After several hours of hopeful waiting on the water – marked by a series of passing rain showers and inconsistent gusts – the call was finally made to abandon racing for the day.

The Men’s Yellow and Blue fleets had been sent out with the goal of completing slalom heats, with each fleet scheduled to run three. But the breeze never stabilized enough to allow for fair racing. “Today the Race Committee was ‘over early’ and we had to send the athletes back ashore,” said without ever losing her sense of humor Principal Race Officer Ewa Jodlowska, summing up a day of optimism and watchful patience.

Despite the lack of racing, the mood at the Aarhus International Sailing Center remained upbeat. The world-class venue proved to be a real asset in challenging conditions, offering shelter, space, and comfort for over 200 competitors and their teams. Sailors took the opportunity to debrief with coaches, recover, and enjoy the camaraderie that defines the iQFOiL community. Along with that spirit, tonight a special dinner for the coached will be held in the Sailors lounge at the International Sailing Center.

With no races completed today, the overall rankings remain unchanged from Day 1. Dutchman 2024 Olympic Bronze Medalist Luuc van Opzeeland (NED 55) leads the Men’s fleet, followed closely by fellow countryman and 2020 Olympic Champion Kiran Badloe (NED 9) and Tom Arnoux (FRA 152). In the Women’s fleet, Marta Maggetti (ITA 97) holds the lead ahead of Sharon Kantor (ISR 390) and Tamar Steinberg (ISR 50).

Looking ahead, the forecast suggests a return of better wind conditions, and the Race Committee remains ready to make the most of the rest of the week. With high-level competition and world titles on the line, the sailors are eager to get back on the water and continue the battle for the 2025 iQFOiL World Championship.

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EVENT AT A GLANCE

Where: Aarhus International Sailing Centre, Denmark
When: 4–11 July 2025
Who: 200+ athletes from 40+ nations — including the full Paris 2024 Olympic podiums and RS:X gold medallist Kiran Badloe (NED 9)
Watch: Free livestream with English commentary (9–11 July)

Website: 2025iqworldsaarhus.sailti.com

Entry List: 2025iqworldsaarhus.sailti.com/en/default/races/race-inscriptions

Image credit: Sailing Energy /iQFOiL International Class

iQFOiL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 – DAY 3: SOLID RACING IN BREEZE-BUILDING CONDITIONS

Sprint races, Course battles and rising tension in Aarhus as the leaderboard tightens at the halfway mark, tomorrow we go into Gold and Silver fleet mode

Aarhus, Denmark – 8 July 2025 – After a frustrating day of waiting ashore on Monday, Day 3 brought back the action in Aarhus Bay with spectacular foiling conditions and a full day of intense racing. A light morning breeze gradually built throughout the day, ranging from 8 to 14 knots, offering more consistent – though still shifty – winds compared to Day 1. Both the Men’s and Women’s fleets took to the water to make the most of the improved conditions.

Racing started with the new Upwind Sprint format, a seven minute short, fast paced race with an upwind start, a reach and a final downing leg. The Women completed five Sprint races, while the Men wrapped up three and then switched to a classic Course Race format. To close the day, the Men’s Blue group resailed the third Course Race that had been abandoned on Day 1, while the Yellow group returned ashore.

In the Men’s fleet, Frenchman Tom Arnoux (FRA 152) continues his standout performance, holding the provisional overall lead with 15 points. 2020 Olympic Champion Kiran Badloe (NED 9) remains in close pursuit in second place, followed by French rider and 2021 World Champion Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465) in third. Reigning World Champion Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) sits in fourth, just ahead of 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Luuc van Opzeeland (NED 55), with a razor-thin margin of just 0.3 points. Paris 2024 silver medalist follows in sixth, while Rytis Jasiunas (LTU 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) round out the top eight, tied on points.

“We did Sprint racing before moving to one windward–leeward for all and finished with the resail of the Blue fleet Course abandoned on Day 1. So it was a big day of racing, five races, it was tiring, shifty, but very good racing. I had some ups and downs and I’m hoping everyone else had some ups and downs too, because I wasn’t that consistent today. I’m so looking forward to tomorrow,” commented Andy Brown (GBR 360) after racing.

In the Women’s fleet, it was a standout day for reigning World Champion and Paris 2024 Silver Medalist Sharon Kantor (ISR 390), who delivered a flawless performance by winning all five races. She now leads the standings with an impressive 13-point margin. Theresa Steinlein (GER 799) had a very solid day, climbing into second overall with a string of consistent results. Fellow Israeli sailor Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216) holds third, maintaining her form from the opening day. Bronze medalist from Paris 2024 and 2024 World Championship runner-up Emma Wilson (GBR 7) also had a strong showing, scoring three wins, a third, and discarding a UFD (penalty for an over early start), which moves her up to fourth overall. Veerle ten Have (NZL 1) sits fifth, just ahead of Shahar Tibi (ISR 3), who had a tougher day but remains in the hunt. Maya Dziarnowska (POL 7) and Olympic Champion Marta Maggetti (ITA 157) round out the top eight.

“I’m pretty happy with my day, I got two bullets and really enjoyed the new racing format. It’s super thrilling because everything happens so fast. You have to make quick decisions and there’s no time to hesitate. I’m really pleased with how it went and looking forward to tomorrow,” said Theresa Steinlein after racing.

Tomorrow more of the same is on the horizon, with wind picking up in the afternoon and the first race start scheduled for 2pm. Both fleets will be divided into Gold fleet (top half of the ranking) and Silver fleet (bottom half).

From tomorrow (July 9) to the Medal Series on Friday (July 11) you can watch the racing live on the Class YouTube and Facebook.

The streaming tomorrow will start at 1400.

https://veledepoca.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=…f1&e=a616d010dc

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EVENT AT A GLANCE

Where: Aarhus International Sailing Centre, Denmark
When: 4–11 July 2025
Who: 200+ athletes from 40+ nations — including the full Paris 2024 Olympic podiums and RS:X gold medallist Kiran Badloe (NED 9)
Watch: Free livestream with English commentary (9–11 July)

Website: 2025iqworldsaarhus.sailti.com

Entry List: 2025iqworldsaarhus.sailti.com/en/default/races/race-inscriptions

Gallery: https://veledepoca.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=…c4&e=a616d010dc

Password: sailors

Image credit: Sailing Energy /iQFOiL International Class

iQFOiL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2025

DAY 4: LATE BREEZE, LATE RACING, HIGH STAKES

The Final Series begins in Aarhus as Gold and Silver fleets

battle under the Nordic evening light

Aarhus, Denmark – 9 July 2025 – The first day of the Final Series at the iQFOiL World Championship brought both patience and intensity to Aarhus Bay. With the fleets now split into Gold and Silver, racing was set to resume with high pressure and limited wind. After hours of waiting ashore under unstable conditions, the long-anticipated Delta flag was hoisted at 6 PM, and just thirty minutes later, the Gold fleet was on the water for their opening race.

Thanks to the long Nordic daylight, the Race Committee managed to complete four races for both Men and Women, with a fifth for the Women’s Heat A before the wind died completely. The day began with two Upwind Sprint races in winds ranging from 10 to 13 knots, before switching to Slalom format as the breeze started to fade.

Emma Wilson (GBR 7) put together a stellar day with two wins, a third, and a discarded seventh, moving into the overall lead. Right behind her is Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216), with two bullets, a ninth, and a discarded DNS. Theresa Steinlein (GER 799), who at one point led the day, now sits in third, after an 11 and a tough final race (27, discarded). The Israeli women’s squad continues to shine, with four sailors in the top eight ahead of Friday’s Medal Series, which will be contested by only the top 8. Notably, Maya Gysler (NOR 21), just 18 years old, sits in seventh and is one of the youngest competitors in the fleet.

“It was a really long day but it's important to get the racing in. I’m happy with my day, four out of five good races is pretty impressive here with such tricky conditions,” said Emma Wilson. “Normally I’m in bed at this time, but I a happy with the day I like all the formats and maybe I just needed time to warm up in the Championship. This place is difficult but I’m starting to figure it out”.

In the Men’s fleet, Andy Brown (GBR 360) moved into the overall lead after a solid performance despite an early setback in the first race. He holds just a one-point advantage over Italy’s Nicolò Renna (ITA 150), who scored two third-place finishes, a 13th, and a BFD. Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465), is tied on points with Renna, and Kiran Badloe (NED 9), three points behind, who rebounded with two wins in the last races of the day, after two bad opening ones. Brazilian Mateus Isaac (BRA 7) had a great day after a slow start in the Championship and is now in fifth.

“We stayed ashore for five hours and only got racing after 6 PM,” said Mateus Isaac (BRA 7). “I started well, then the second wasn’t great, but then we switched to slalom, with reaching starts, something I’ve done all my life. I had two strong races to close and I’m climbing the rankings. Nothing is over yet, but I’m happy”.

Looking ahead, conditions tomorrow are expected to mirror today, with another likely late start. Racing continues as the battle intensifies for a place in Friday’s Medal Series.
Live streaming of Day 5 will be available on the iQFOiL Class YouTube and Facebook pages, and on World Sailing’s channels. And today’s Live is available here. For real-time updates, follow the Class on Instagram.